Giving God the Credit

 

November 10, 2012--It's fall at my house.

Bless the LORD, O my soul:  and all that is within me, bless his holy name.  Psalm 103: 1 (KJV)

One of my children told me about a health issue that had been resolved.  It had been a significant problem for many months, but now it was completely resolved.  I recalled saying to him some time ago that we needed to pray about it.

"That's an answer to our prayers you know," I said.  "It certainly is," he replied.  "Praise God."  We smiled at one another.

I was happy that God had answered our prayers, and that my son had told me about it, and I was also pleased that he had acknowledged God's hand at work.  While I sat there, considering God's mercy, I was struck by the thought, how many times must we fail to acknowledge that God has answered our prayers?  We experience the answered prayer, enjoy the benefits of His mercy and grace, but fail to stop and thank Him, and tell others about what's He's done for us.

I want to share the Scripture about Jesus healing the ten lepers.

 

Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”

When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.

One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.

 

Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” Luke 17: 11-19 NIV

 

Only one returned to thank and praise God!  Jesus knew he had healed all ten.  Maybe only the one  leper realized in his body and his soul what Jesus had just done for him.  The miracle.  Maybe even greater than the physical healing was the healing of his inner man that allowed him to see Jesus for who He  really is.

 

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Psalm 103:2a (KJV)

 Photo courtesy of Marissa Nicole Photography

 

May God bless you today.  I pray that you will realize in your body and your soul all the good things that God has done for you,  that you will rejoice and praise Him and in so doing feel a real lift in your spirit.  The God of the universe has done great things for you.

 

Thank you so much for visiting the blog today.  I hope you have been encouraged in some way.  I'd be pleased if you'd leave a comment below, or write me a message at writemoments@gmail.com. 

 

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever

Church of the Most Holy Trinity, Augusta, Georgia--oldest Catholic Church in Georgia



Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.  Hebrews 13:8

Through the years, harmonious and happy living has been my desire for me and my family.  With diligence and a sense of purpose, I try to maintain a certain balance.  My home is a peaceful oasis in a chaotic world--most of the time.  Life goes smoothly--most of the time.  The everyday routine seems much the same--most of the time.  Until the expected happens:  auto accidents, illnesses, financial upsets, death.  Life is interrupted; peace is disrupted.

Changes occur.  It might be as simple and seamless as a new supervisor at work, or as profound and life-changng as the death of a loved one.  A child grows up and moves away from home.  One of my daughters is about to move 4500 miles away from here; I didn't see it coming.  I'm still reeling from that seismic change.

Oh, why can't life stay just as we like it, all the time?  We long for a type of heaven on earth.

Wise Solomon told us quite eloquently that "to every thing there is a season".  (see Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)

Then, besides change, what can we depend on?

We can depend on Jesus.  He does not change.  His plans for me have not changed.  My soul's destiny has not changed.  My circumstances and my perspective might change.  But, Jesus Christ is unchangeable.  That essential reality remains constant. 

He is for all Eternity.  He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. (Revelation 1:8) 

God is the only unchanging variable in our lives.  I praise God that no matter what changes may come in my life, I can put my trust in Him.

Alpha and Omega symbol in

the Church of the Most Holy Trinity

 

 

May God bless you today.  Thank you for visiting Write Moments with God.  I hope you will come again.  I'd also love to hear from you.  You can add a comment below if you like, or write to me at writemoments@gmail.com.  

 

 

Now, I'd like to announce the winner of last week's book give-away.  Congratulations to Kathleen Belongea who will be receiving one of Ann Tatlock's books.  I'd like to thank you all on behalf of me and Ann for making the monthly Christian author feature a success.  We had well over 200 visitors.  Blessings to you.  May God be with you.

Blessed is He Who Watches

Watching for Daddy -- photo courtesy of Marissa Nicole Photography

I lift up my eyes to you, to you whose throne is in heaven. As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he shows us his mercy.  Psalm 123:1-2

 

Psalm 123 offers a beautiful affirmation of God's sustaining power.

. . . Our eyes wait upon the Lord our God until that he have mercy upon us. . .

 

We find dual meanings in the Scriptures about "watching". We are watching in

faith knowing that God is about to bring salvation to our situations. 

 

As we know all too well, dreadful circumstances can come upon us as suddenly as a thief, knocking us off our earthly foundations and destroying our world as we know it. 

 

Behold, I come as a thief, Blessed is He that watches.  Revelation 16:15a

 

Circumstances can be disappointing, at worst devastating.  The longer we look at the problems and hardship, the more discouraged we become.  Fear will flood our hearts and minds; sadness and sorrow will come in a torrent. If we can but lift up our eyes to Him. . .

 

Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord: for He shall pluck my feet out of the net.   Psalm 25:15

 

And we are watching for the promise of His return.  

 

Our Lord, Jesus Christ, will return one day.  Scripture refers to His coming again.  He himself told us that He would come again (John 14).  As Christians we look forward to that day. 

 

And we want to be ready. 

 

In faith we lift up our eyes to Him, our hope and our deliverer. 

 

Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when He comes shall find watching. Luke 12:37a 

 

Glorious sunrise

 

I'm happy you have visited the blog today.  I hope that together we can encourage each other to look to the Lord.  May His mercy and grace be with you. 

 

Please feel free to leave a comment here, or if you'd prefer, you can send me a message at writemoments@gmail.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Ann Tatlock, featured author, plus Monthly Book Give-Away

Ann Tatlock www.anntatlock.com

It's my pleasure to introduce award-winning author, Ann Tatlock, as our guest writer today.  Recently I read the devotions which she had written on Christian Devotions website. I was so intriqued by her inspiring messages, I read every one of hers on the site. Then, I ordered her book I'll Watch the Moon.  Set in St. Paul, Minnesota, during the 1948 polio epidemic, this is a beautifully written story with an inspiring message of trust in God.  I've asked Ann to tell us about herself and her writing.

	Every morning I write a Bible verse in a notebook and leave it on my daughter’s bed for her to read when she comes home from school. Today the verse is 1 John 4:19: “We love him, because he first loved us” (AKJV).           I never cease to be amazed by the “I’ll-make-the-first-move” love of God. That love has wrapped itself around me from the day I was born and, no matter what I’ve done through the years, it has always been true to the words of one of my favorite hymns: “O Love that will not let me go.”      At the age of six I wrote my first poem in very large letters on a very large piece of ruled writing paper. In it I named all the things I loved—Mom and Dad, the singing birds, my teachers—and I concluded with this line: “But most of all I love God.”           That says more about God than about me. To think He revealed himself to a little child—how great a gift! In return, I’ve always wanted to serve Him and to tell about what He has done for us through Jesus Christ.           When I went to college, I thought the best way for me to serve God would be to take care of the sick, but I dropped out of the nursing program when the Lord made it clear to me that my calling was to write.           Deciding to write true testimonies as to what God was doing in the world, I eventually got a master’s degree in journalism. That led to a job with Billy Graham’s "Decision" magazine, where I spent five years as staff writer and assistant editor.            But the Lord impressed upon me the power of story as a vehicle for truth. After all, Jesus used fictional stories to teach while he was here on earth. We know those stories today as the parables.             So I switched gears and started writing novels in the hopes of revealing through them something of the character of God. My novels are both contemporary and historical; I have a particular interest in 20th-century America as it was a time of incredible advancement, unthinkable tragedies, glorious victories and boundless faith on the part of believers.            My new friend Rose Chandler Johnson recently read I’ll Watch the Moon and asked what inspired me to write it. Since I like to choose a particular era or event to serve as backdrop for my stories, I’ll Watch the Moon arose from my curiosity about the 1948 polio epidemic. As I researched the epidemic, I realized I’d be writing a story about hope. When people face trials like war and disease (the Second World War also figures into the story), they so often discover what the narrator of the story discovers, that “even a grain of hope can manage to eclipse a whole world of despair.”      Let me share too the historical time frame and the theme of some of my other novels: A Room of My Own  The Great Depression, 1932   Servanthood A Place Called Morning   1980s                 Forgiveness All the Way Home   WWII and 1960s Civil Rights Era   Redemption The Returning     Contemporary                      Grace Promises to Keep   1967-68                           Discernment Travelers Rest     Contemporary                     Restoration Sweet Mercy        Prohibition Era, 1931             Mercy            I share this with you only because the desire of my heart is to reveal God’s character and announce his truths. Because He loves us, our lives are filled with his grace and mercy, hope and forgiveness, redemption and restoration. I hope my readers will enjoy my stories and--even more important--come away feeling comforted, encouraged and a little bit more certain of God’s unfailing love. Ann Tatlock * * *   Now, for an opportunity to receive a copy of Ann's book of your choice. At least ten readers must comment and share in order for there to be a book give-away. So come on everyone.  Join in.  Follow these easy steps to qualify for the random drawing. 1. Leave a comment on this blog which includes your name and email address. (I will use your address to contact you if you win.) I love to read your comments. 2. Share this blog post on Facebook or mention it on your own blog. If you do not have a facebook, or a blog, become a follower of this site. Complete these steps by 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 10th. A winner will be announced on November 12th. Thank you for supporting my writing by reading and commenting on this blog. I will write for you again on Thursday, November 8th, so please come back. Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6. May God be with you.

The Comfort of United Prayers

Some comfort food--Fully Loaded Cheesy Potato Soup

A friend confided in me and asked for my prayers for some troubling concerns.  I marveled at the similarities in the challenges we faced.  I actually felt comforted myself as I expressed empathy for her, and it seemed she too felt comfort as a result of our commitment to join together in prayer. 

Again I say to you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.  For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.  Matthew 18: 19-20

Does this mean that God gives special attention when believers unite in prayer?  This Scripture says that indeed He is there in our midst. 

When I join my prayers with fellow believers I feel that I am standing with them and helping support their burdens.  Likewise, I feel that they are supporting me and mine.  I believe that in the Spirit that we are indeed doing just that.  And we are comforted.

Bear you one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:3 NKJV

We know we are not alone.  We can unite our prayers with fellow believers to find comfort and hope.  God intended for us to join together and find strength in the body of Christ.  Even the Spirit of God within us helps us pray.

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

Times of need can overwhelm us.  We need to partner together with fellow believers and trust that God is with us.  We will obtain the mercy and grace sufficient for our needs.

My thanks to all of you who pray with me and for me.  Your prayers are a precious gift.  I would stumble and fall under the weight of my burdens without your prayers. 

I unite my prayers now with all of you praying for the victims of Hurricane Sandy.  I am so sorry for their sorrow and loss.  I pray for the God of all comfort to be with them and with you as well.

Photo courtesy of Eileen DeCamp 

 

 

To Write the Right Words

Foggy Morning, Thompson, Georgia courtesy of Marissa Nicole Photography

For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.  1 Corinthians 2:2

This morning during my prayer time, I had a little talk with the Lord.  It's the same little talk we have each time I must prepare a devotion for this blog.  I feel in a bit of a fog, knowing that in myself I have no ability to reach others with the good news of Jesus Christ.  I feel inadequate, knowing that anything I could say has already been said and much more eloquently than I can say it.  How do I choose the right words to express what I have on my heart?  And there is always the biggest question.

What do you want me to write Lord?

I knew before starting this blog that I wanted it to be about God showing Himself in the everyday things.  I wanted to focus on the reality of Christ and how that makes all the difference in each moment.  I wanted my words to encourage others on their everyday journeys.  I don't want to get in the way of anyone's view of God.  So, He reminded me again to be His witness.

I can not save a soul.  Only God can.  But I can tell of the great things he has done for me.  I know what I know.  I know how He gives me strength for each day, and His mercies are new every morning.

Come and hear, all you that fear God, and I will declare what He has done for my soul.  Psalm 66:16

So many are weary and lonely and hurting.  So many don't know the friend who sticks closer than a brother.  And we all need encouragement each day.  The Lord wants me to tell of His mercy and grace and tell what He means to me.  I don't have to worry about writing the right words as long as they focus on Him.  That is the point of these devotions.  I want you to know my Lord. 

That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.  And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.
1 John 1:3-4 NKJV

I hope we can encourage each other and rejoice together as we testify about what He has done for us and what He will do for those who will only believe.



 Photo courtesy of Jeanne Henriques Collage of Life

Keep Praying because God is Faithful and Just

Monastere des Augustines, Quebec City, Quebec, June 2011.

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.  He said, "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men.  And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with her plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary'."

This parable captured my heart and attention this week.  I intended to bring you a different devotion, but I kept returning to these verses instead.  Maybe it's because I identify with the vulnerable and defenseless widow.  She keeps going to the unjust judge with her plea, probably knowing full well he was unjust. 

For some time he refused.  But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!'

This unjust judge could represent many entities that hold our interests in the power of their hands.  He doesn't respect God, nor does he care about men, but at last he gives in to her pleas.  Not because of any virtue or compassion in himself; He has his own self-interest in mind.  He's tired of her bothering him.

And the Lord said, 'Listen to what the unjust judge says.  And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night?  Will he keep putting them off? 

Jesus is asking this question.  And what must the answer be?

 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. 

God is Faithful and Just.  Keep taking your petition to Him in prayer.  Keep going to Him night and day.  He will grant you justice against our adversary. 

This parable encourages me to persist in prayer, and gives me hope.  But this parable ends with another question from Jesus that I had never noticed before,which causes me to search my heart.

However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?'  Luke 18:1-5

Be encouraged today to pray and not give up.  I pray that your faith endures until Jesus comes again. 

Thank you for visiting the blog today.  Please feel free to leave a comment below or write me a personal note at writemoments@gmail.com.  I look forward to hearing from you.





The Fountain of Tourney, Quebec City, Quebec.