Thanks always?

It is very easy to thank God when things are going fine, but when days seem tough or dry it is really difficult to thank the Lord. We may at times grumble and complain. Sometimes we bring out our complaints straight to God or murmur about our circumstances inwardly. But that is not what we are suppose to be doing.

The Word of God exhorts us ...
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)
...give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

We may not feel like saying thanks when things are in bad shape. But when we give thanks believing that God knows what is happening in our life and that He is in complete control, God works wonders for us.

When the Israelites complained about not having meat in the wilderness it hurt God, but when Paul and his companions sang songs of praise when in jail, there was an earthquake and their stocks were loosened.

This is how God works when we are able to appreciate His presence and His control on our lives no matter the circumstances.

So let us give thanks to God for His loving kindness never cease. Amen.

Prayer of Jabez...

Have you ever felt limited or lacking? Have you felt that you wanted to be a blessing to many, yet not found that happening?

Yes, all of us want to be a blessing to our families, friends, relatives, aquaintances and to many around. Yet at times we feel bad when we see ourselves as limited or lacking oppurtunities to do it as God's children. But God wants us to be a blessing to many. Right from our families, friends, relatives, our cirlces and beyond.

For it is not enough that we pray about it. But we need to claim the promise like Jabez. The prayer of Jabez is a famous one among God's children. People have prayed without ceasing and it has come to pass...

1 Chronicles 4:10 (New International Version)
Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request.

We need to pray too like Jabez and see that we become a blessing to many...

More than conquerors...

When wearied with our trials many a time we feel like quitting and become indifferent to it. We may also make a resolution or decision to quit. But we may feel the very next day that we are not able to quit that which we had decided to. We may find ourselves come back to square one. The reason is that we are not unstable in doing so, but because we are fashioned in our inner being that way.

As God's Word puts it,

Psalm 139:13 (NIV)

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.

We are made in our inmost being not as quitters but as conquerors...We cannot quit for we are not designed that way.

Rom 8:37 (NIV)

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Let us rely on Him and be all that He made us to be. Amen.

All things?

Sometimes when we go through difficulties we don't like we may may tell God, "Lord, it would have been better if you had given me that kind of difficulty instead of this which I am currently facing". At times we start bargaining with God. But the truth is God allows every kind of trial for a purpose. Every trial has a divine purpose, though we may not see it.

For God's Word says,

Rom 8:28 (NASB)
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

So if God permits something in our life, let us pray for more grace to endure it and let us pray for all strength to face it mentally knowing that we are under centre of His will. Amen.

Fixing our eyes on Him

When looking forward for some breakthrough or some sort of solution, we may feel troubled imagining about the uncertain. For fears can overwhelm us and all sorts of negative thoughts can fill our minds blocking any positive thinking. In such instances rather than thinking about the outcome of our concerns, it is best to fix our eyes on Jesus who is author and the finisher of our faith.

Hebrews 12:2 (New International Version)
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

We need not think about the answers but we can dare to put our trust in Him, for He never fails. Let us not allow our hearts to weary for we are safely carried by the everlasting arms and He will do the best for us. Amen.

He knows our limits

When facing unpleasant situations or unwarranted circumstances, we feel like running away from them, a way of some miraculous escape. We would sometimes even hope that something reversable happens so that we may not face such unpleasant situations.

But we need to remember that God is in control. As God's Word says,

1 Corinthians 10:13 (The Message)
No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it.

Our only comfort is that God will make a way out. He will not allow us to face something which we cannot bear. He knows our strengths, weaknesses and limitations. Who can know us better than our Creator?

So let us take courage and look to Him who can do more than we can think or imagine. All praise unto Him for we do not face trials all alone but along with Him. Amen.

Pushed forward or backward?

Philippians 1:12 (New American Standard Bible)

Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel.

When Apostle Paul was put in prison, he says that it helped him to preach the gospel all the more. What an attitude Paul had!

When we go through life's trials, we so easily get pulled down emotionally. And it hampers our lifestyle from work to everyday living. But look how Paul took the circumstances he faced. Being imprisoned it did not make him feel down though in the dungeon. He looked at his circumstances as an incident to further his work in God.

So how are we facing our circumstances? As helping us move forward or being pulled backward? Let us take our trial like Paul and say that our circumstances has helped us to become more strengthened, more moulded and more focused, than feeling drowned or drained...