Faith and Thanksgiving

We have had many people say what an example of faith we are to them and for that we are thankful.  We want our lives to be a testimony to God and we want Him to get ALL the glory.  What we don’t want is for people to think that we are something special and have the kind of faith that they could never have.  For those of us that profess to be followers of Christ, obedience is something that must be a part of our Christian life but we need to remember that obedience doesn’t always mean that we feel like doing what God has called us to do or that we are excited about it.  Obedience isn’t based on our feelings but is what we do because God only wants our best.  I don’t believe that most Christians truly think that God knows best.  If we did we wouldn’t hesitate when God calls.  We must remember that “…the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

Here is an excerpt from My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers:

“Think what faith in Jesus Christ claims and provides—He can present us faultless before the throne of God, inexpressibly pure, absolutely righteous, and profoundly justified. Stand in absolute adoring faith “in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption…” (1 Cor. 1:30).  How dare we talk of making a sacrifice for the Son of God? We are saved from hell and total destruction, and then we talk about making sacrifices!”

As I read this passage this morning I was humbled to say the least.  We may be in Africa doing what God has called us to do but our faith compared to the above statement is very small.  We grumble and complain way too much and most days would like to come home.  We miss our family, my children miss their friends, and we struggle with the Malawians that we must deal with and the differences in culture.  There are many days when we are glad that no one is here to hear and see us.  Sadly, the Lord is always here and must just shake His head at our attitudes.  HE GAVE HIMSELF FOR ME!!  He didn’t hold back anything.  He left the right hand of God to be born in a manger, live as a human in a poor family and willing die on a cross for ME and YOU because of his great love for us.  Yet I still grumble.

Oswald Chambers goes on to say, “Our lives should be an absolute hymn of praise resulting from perfect, irrepressible, triumphant belief.”  As I reflected on the last comment, I realized how different my attitude would be if I had just an ounce of praise for what God has done in my life and what he continues to do.  I also believe that I would be much more effective for the kingdom of God because my eyes would be on Him not on my circumstances.  Since this is Thanksgiving week for those of you in the states, why don’t we all try to thank Him for his incredible goodness to us and just maybe we can continue that thankfulness even when Thanksgiving is gone. 

 

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.   Hebrews 11:6

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Hebrews 12: 2-3

            Lisa