Posted by: Bob Miller | April 12, 2009

A Risen Opportunity

“He is risen!’

These words have great meaning . . . especially, today. This is the day we celebrate an empty tomb reminding us that the Lord we serve is no longer dead, but alive at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us.

Yesterday was Easter Fun Day at our house . . . you know, Easter Egg Hunt, cook-out, candy . . . all that kind of stuff. I finished the night by watching the annual showing of “The Ten Commandments”. Charlton Heston is the man!

This morning, I woke early and went to a prayer time at 5:00am . . . then went to church and led a prayer time for our pastor at 6:30am. There was a lot of time to think about the importance of an empty tomb and the phrase that was spoken to the early arriving followers of Christ . . . “He is risen”.

In thinking what that meant to Mary, Peter, James, John . . . and all those who had put their hope and trust in Jesus, I came up with some impacting thoughts for us.

He is risen – restored relationships. Remember that Peter’s last encounter with Christ was in the courtyard. Although he said he would follow Jesus to the death, he yielded to the subtleties of the wicked one and denied Christ . . . not once, but three times. I’m sure he carried the burden of knowing that this was his last response to the One whom he had followed for three years . . . the One who called him to be a fisher of men . . . the One of whom Peter made the confession, “though art the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” When Peter saw that the tomb was empty, he knew his relationship could be and would be restored.

He is risen – renewed hope. These early Christ followers had put all of their resources, their reputations, their future dreams and plans into the Kingdom of Jesus Christ . . . the Messiah. With his death, all hope vanished. But with empty tomb, their hope was renewed. Remember the question posed by one of the angels, “Why are you seeking the living among the dead?” When we loose hope, we begin searching for an answer in the dead areas of our lives. He is risen . . . there is renewed hope.

He is risen – relieved fears. A Sanhedrin that ruled Jesus should die . . . a Roman court ordering his crucifixion . . . Soldiers guarding His tomb . . . fear must have captured the hearts, the dreams and the expectations of the disciples. When Mary approached the tomb, do you remember what she was told . . . “do not be afraid!”. When He arose, the fear was relieved. This was a new day with new strength and new joy.

He is risen – revived faith. Faith is always replaced by fear. They saw Jesus perform miracles. they heard His teaching. They believed because the saw. Now there was an empty tomb . . . and they peered inside . . . they once again saw . . . and they remembered His words. Their faith was revived.

A broken relationship . . . hope that is gone . . . fear taking the place of your faith? Remember these three simple words . . . “He is risen”.

The risen and victorious Savior is just as alive today as the first Resurrection morning.

Rejoice . . . He is Risen!

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Posted in encouragement, impact, leadership, meaning, purpose, victory

Posted by: Bob Miller | March 18, 2009

Giving Honor To Whom It Is Due

I can remember growing up and hearing the verse, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord” and “Honor your Mother and Father for it is the first commandment with promise”. (Eph 6) I think I heard it every time I questioned . . . asking “Why?” was easy for me . . . but the responses were never appealing to an inquisitive mind . . . and you know what they say, “Inquiring minds want to know”.

When you’re a child, honoring and obeying parents is a simple process. Whether you like their rules or not . . . whether you agree with them or not . . . whether you want to or not . . . you obey. But, as an adult you choose to “leave your mother and father and cleave to your wife”. (Gen 2:24) You begin your own home and obedience is outgrown . . . but honoring is not.

Many learn to appreciate the joys of childhood . . . but many also have to learn to navigate the pain and difficulty of childhood. In each type of situation, how do you continue to honor parents?

The original languages define “honor” as “estimating or fixing value”, “determining and declaring the worth of someone or something”. Essentially, it begins with each of us choosing to place a high value or significance on someone else”.

Lori Palatnik writes that honoring begins with gratitude. Initially, it is gratitude for life. The fact that my existence is due in total to my parents garners my gratitude. Scripture teaches us the “in everything we are to give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus” (I Thess 5:18).

Gratitude is not seen in magnanimous gifts or opulent presents . . . it can be seen in the simplest of gestures. It is based on attitude.

One of the expressions that I am currently working on is sending my Dad a thank you note every day. He has given me a lifetime of sacrifice . . . no matter what challenges are before us and between us now . . . I can still be grateful for my parents.

Palatnik also writes that acceptance is a key to honoring parents. Again, we are taught in scripture to “love one another as Christ has loved us.” (John 13:34) If Christ can love and accept me for all of my filthy rags . . . I can love and accept my parents . . . even in all of the good and bad. She writes, “Our challenge in life is to accept what our parents gave us and make the best of it”.

That brings us to a third way to honor parents . . . by showing them grace. Christ paid for the result of our sin in order to provide us with the riches of reconciliation. We are to be ambassadors of that same reconciliation by extending grace and forgiveness.

Fourth, we can show our parents mercy. If grace is God giving us what we don’t deserve . . . than mercy is God not giving us what we do deserve. Remember the old hymn, “Mercy there was great and grace was free . . . ” God’s mercy to us has been great. We should be great in showing mercy to others . . . especially those in our family.

Rabii Zelif Pliskin gives a crash course in honoring parents from “Love Your Neighbor”.

1. Honor parents by treating them as distinguished, even if they are not.

2. Speak to parents is a soft and pleasant tone. This is a hard one for me to learn. When you have experienced harsh talk or sarcastic comments in a home growing up, you begin to believe that is the way to communicate. Christ was gentle and meek . . . James tells us to be slow to speak and slow to anger. Speak softly and kindly to parents. Rabbi Pilskin says, “distressing someone with words is worse than cheating them financially. Taking someone’s dignity and happiness is worse than taking their money.”

3. Treat parents with honor by addressing them with respect as “Mom” or “Dad” . . . or even “Mother” of “Father”. using their first name is disrespectful, as is sitting in their “special seat” or “controlling the TV control”.

4. Serve your parents food or drink with pleasant expressions. Be welcoming.

How do you respond to parents who haven’t been that good of a role model? Christin Ditchfield writes for Today’s Christian, “It can be a challenge at times for anyone whose parents were less than perfect. (Let’s face it, none of them are.) But what if your parents really—and I mean really—don’t deserve it?”

Ditchfield continues, “Jesus said, ‘Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you … Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful’ (Luke 6:27- 36). Sometimes our enemies are the members of our own families. God calls us to love them anyway. Forgive them, whether they ask us to or not. Treat them with respect, regardless of whether or not they deserve it. In doing so, we’re choosing to imitate our heavenly Father, instead of our earthly parents.”

Let’s give honor to whom honor is due!

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Posted in Children, encouragement, family, generation, parenting, purpose

Posted by: Bob Miller | March 16, 2009

A Choice for My Family

I have written about the conflict in my family . . . the family in which I grew up.

Again, let me reiterate, my Mom and Dad are strong believers, they provided for my sister and me in ways that were more than we ever needed, and they have been very generous with us as adults.

However, there remains conflict and a lack of communication. I have failed in my efforts to heal and restore relationships . . . although I have tried a number of times. My Dad is a controlling individual who will tell you that he is always right. The challenge is that he raised a son who thinks the same way . . . thus, two trains on the same track heading at full speed . . . guess the result?

A lawyer (that’s right, a lawyer . . . can you believe it) helped mediate the separation of a business of which Dad and I were both members. In the attorney’s explanation, he stated that this type of relational damage was like a divorce . . . a term that was never permitted in our home. Although I disagreed with his assessment, the result has been the same.

So, as a son who worshipped his Dad and wanted to be just like him, how do I process the hurt, pain, disappointment and damaged self-worth that I have experienced and, in some ways, have helped cause? And, what lessons am I teaching my four daughters and their husbands (and finance’) related to treating parents with respect and honor?

Again, this is work in progress . . . but here’s a start.

1. I started a new family. On May 15, 1982, I started a new family with my wonderful wife and lifetime partner, Debi. When we walked down the aisle and shared out vows, we promised to be committed to each other for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health . . . for the rest of our lives. Although I dearly love my old family . . . on that day, I started a new one!

2. My family is the priority family relationship. Genesis 2:24 states, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” I needed to remember that I chose to leave my mother and father and hold fast (cleave) to my wife. My first priority is to serve my God with all my heart, soul and mind . . . but my second is to love my wife as my own flesh (Eph 5:28) since she is a joint heir of the grace of God with me (I Pet 3:7).

3. I need to be a shield for my family. I Peter 3 also tells me to live with my wife in an understanding way, showing honor to her as a woman and as the weaker vessel. I do this so that my prayers will not be hindered . . . so that I can continue to be the spiritual shepherd and leader of my home.

4. My fulfillment comes from taking care of my family. How many times have we all faced the “uneasy feelings” (Okay! I’ll use the “G” word . . . Guilt) because we haven’t lived up to our birth family’s expectations. My fulfillment no longer comes from that source . . . if comes from my own wife and my own children.

5. I need to encourage my family, not frustrate them. It is so challenging not to let my countenance and attitude change when there is a conflict with my parents. It seems to disrupt ever sense of being in me. What son does not not want to be the “apple of his Dad’s eye”? However, I need to remember that I am responsible for my own emotions and feelings. I trust God . . . I believe He is good . . . I know He cares for me . . . I know that He is in control. If I allow the frustrations of life or relationships to have a detrimental effect on my family, I become guilty of exasperating or provoking them with unrealistic emotional baggage. (Eph 6:3)

6. I need to be a man of peace. As I continue to resolve issues and try to respond with God’s grace, I am reminded to be the man of peace (Ps 37:37). Jesus reminds us to, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you . . . be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:27-36) If I am mandated to have that type of response to those who hate me, curse me and mistreat me . . . I need to at least have that type of response to the ones I am to honor as parents.

In all of this, I am thankful that Isaiah tells us that He is a “Wonderful Counselor, Might God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”. (Is 9:6)

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Posted in Children, family, generation, love, meaning, parenting

Posted by: Bob Miller | March 16, 2009

Some Conflict Is Never Resolved

The last few years have been difficult ones for me because of conflicts in the family in which I grew up. I have a great Mom and Dad who are believers. They have loved me and cared for me, often giving me more than I deserve. My Dad has been a very successful self-made business man who did it on his own. Due to his willingness to be generous and giving, he often provided my sister and me with great gifts and early wealth that we were not ready to manage.

Through the years, money and joint businesses have become issues of division and conflict. At times, there have been months were my Dad and I have not talked. It has been a constant issue of prayer and brokenness before God. During that time, my parents decided to move out of an addition to our home that we jointly built and move to Florida to live in their own home. The Sunday before they were to move, God began doing an incredible work in my heart . . . I had to try and resolve any and every issue I could before they moved . . . there may not have been another time.

On Sunday, June 22, 2008 I went forward after the worship service and asked my Pastor to pray with me over a family issue that I wanted to resolve. He stopped right where we were and prayed for God’s direction, wisdom and peace. I asked two other prayer partners to pray with me as I tried to talk to my parents that afternoon. I called my Mom and Dad and asked if I could come over and talk. God had flooded my heart with verses: “Love covers a multitude of sin” (I Pet 4:8); “Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God . . . casting all you cares on Him, for He cares for you.” (I Pet 5:7, 8); “Honor your father and mother . . . ” (Eph 6:1). I had purposed that I wouldn’t leave them until we could look at each other and say, “I love you”, hug each other and then begin taking one day at a time . . . I was committed to stay there as long as it would take.

I prayed and wept the entire time we talked. I purposed not to argue or fight back. My family has control issues and likes to keep “lists” of wrongs committed. Those lists come up during every heated discussion . . . they may have been forgiven . . . but they are never forgotten. That day, I kept my lists of hurts in the drawer of redemption . . . even though my Dad’s list of hurts was posted on the mirror of remembrance.

God gave me verses and I prayed. Although I don’t have cell phone service at my home, I received three text messages from my prayer partners and my pastor 15 minutes apart . . . it was at the most heated attacks and reminded me that they were praying for me.

At the end of about four hours, it seemed that we had settled all of the issues. I had asked for and extended forgiveness, told my Mom and Dad that I loved them, hugged them and agreed that we would take things a day at a time. The following Thursday, as the moving truck arrived, I went over and hugged them goodbye, told them I loved them and wished them a safe trip.

I called on my Dad’s birthday, Father’s Day and on Christmas . . . but he wouldn’t talk with me. The bidding I had from the Lord and decision to obey in June seemed to have lost its effectiveness. I had obeyed . . . God gave me some incredible grace . . . and I had peace.

Eight months later, on the last day of February, 2009, I was in the office with my oldest daughter, Andrea and her son (our first grandson), Bentley when my cell phone rang . . . it read, Dad’s Cell. My dad was calling me. I answered with excitement, “Hello”. On the other end of the phone was my Dad. He said, “Bob Miller, this is Bob Miller . . .”, and he requested some documents that focused on old disputes. I said, “Dad, what are you talking about?”, and his comment back to me was, “Don’t call me Dad . . . ” and thus, the conflict had begun, again. Sadly, my daughter heard the conversation . . . she saw my countenance change . . . and evidenced the spiritual battle that was once again beginning to ensue.

The hurt is huge. The scabs are being pulled off of healed wounds. Question are unanswered. The pain is paralyzing.

So . . . how do you arrive at an easy answer for this situation? You don’t. You begin to work out the process . . . you begin to work out your salvation.

“Fear has punishment” . . . but “perfect love casts out fear”. Love does cover a multitude of sin. But, the wicked one does come to steal, to cheat and to destroy.

I’m walking through this . . . and I feel as though I’m walking alone. Others are praying and the prayers provide great encouragement . . . but this is a lonely process.

Some of you may be walking in this same type of pain . . . this pursuing, perplexing, pain. Walk with me as we walk with Him . . . we will find that He is our peace and that He is our source!

Blessings.

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Posted in encouragement, family, love

Posted by: Bob Miller | February 24, 2009

Bulding a Family Culture

I was recently helping lead a session with leaders about building a prayer culture in a local church. Having a prayer culture in a church is the difference between a “church that prays” and a “praying church”.

Every family has a culture. Webster defines a culture as, “a particular form of community that is characterized by its beliefs, customs, values and priorities.” The bottom line is what’s important to your family? That’s what makes up your family culture. understanding and building a family culture is the difference between “saying you are a family” and “acting like a family”.

Debi and I are close to having the “empty nest”. Andrea and Brandon, Alyssa and Jason have begun their homes. Amanda will be getting married in June . . . and Alydia will be starting college in the fall. Although the size and look of our family is constantly changing, the culture of our family really remains the same. And, we are seeing how aspects of our family culture have been passed to the next generation.

As with the church leaders, I proposed three (and later came up with a fourth) characteristics that help delineate a “culture”. Understanding these characteristics can help us identify the important “beliefs, customs, values and priorities” of our families.

1. Defining Characteristics: These identify who you are. Who is your family? Are they Christ-followers or are they self-followers? What character qualities are seen in your family? Who do you and your family believe that God is? In earlier days, families were identified by a family crest. It was a coat of arms that reflected the character and history of the family. What does your “coat of arms” look like? This is the message of your family!

2. Distinctive Characteristics: These identify what you do. If what we do is rooted in who we are . . . how do you live your life? Are you open to others in need? Are you encouraging to others? Is your home a place of refuge, a place of hospitality, a place of worship? Do people have fun at your house? Do your children feel like they are “at home”? This is the model of your family!

3. Determining Characteristics: This identifies why you do what you do? It is the filter through which you run all of your family’s activities. It is the basis for your decisions as a family. Who you are and what you do determines why you do the things that you do. This is the method of your family!

4. Developing Characteristics: This is how you grow as a family. This becomes the factor of what values and beliefs are passed on to the next generation. Growth is part of a family. Taking the who, what and why and watching them mature and grow becomes the fullness of family is what its all about. This is the maturity of your family!

What kind of “family culture” are you building? What are the beliefs, customs, values and priorities that are reflected in you, your spouse and your children.

Remember the words of Solomon as a psalmist,

If God doesn’t build the house, the builders only build shacks.
If God doesn’t guard the city, the night watchman might as well nap.
It’s useless to rise early and go to bed late, and work your worried fingers to the bone.
Don’t you know he enjoys giving rest to those he loves?

Don’t you see that children are God’s best gift? The fruit of the womb his generous legacy?
Like a warrior’s fistful of arrows are the children of a vigorous youth.
Oh, how blessed are you parents, with your quivers full of children!
Your enemies don’t stand a chance against you; you’ll sweep them right off your doorstep.

Psalm 127 (The Message)

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Posted in family, generation, leadership, meaning, parenting

Posted by: Bob Miller | February 12, 2009

I Laughed Alot . . .

Okay. In a house with five women . . . we have had some funny car accidents . . . but none like these.

By the way, I think my wife is an incredible driver . . . she is always doing “time-trials” through the streets of Lynchburg and Forest . . . and my daughters are good drivers, also.

Anyway, this just made me laugh . . . enjoy!

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Posted by: Bob Miller | February 11, 2009

The Rock

I remember the first time I saw him . . . I was mesmerized.

There he stood, larger than life as he offered a glaring stare at the crowd. He was ready to take on any opponent . . . he was the Brahma Bull . . . The Great One . . . The Peoples’ Champion . . . he was The Rock.

Yep. I was a WWE fan! Sorry . . . but in household of five women . . . I had to have a testosterone surge every once in a while.

The Rock used his name to illustrate his presence in the ring . . . he was immovable, unbeatable, uncrushable.

We have other branding using a rock. Prudential encouraged us to “own a piece of the rock” urging us to believe that our investments were secure and solid.

I even remember pet rocks. No that was a low maintenance companion.

Interestingly, Webster defines a rock as “a hard, naturally formed material of inorganic origin”. That’s it . . .a lifeless, hard thing! So much for owning a piece of that.

In doing some reading and reflecting, I came across the psalmist’s words in Psalm 92:15, “To declare that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.”

As a dad and a husband, I always want to be the rock of my family. That strong, unbreakable object that they could always come to and trust in.

Scripture has a great deal to say about a rock, the rock we find in Christ . . .

1. He is my Rock. The writer says he will declare that the Lord is upright and that He is my rock. What comfort to know that I have my own, personal rock. He is my source of uprightness and there is no unrighteousness in Him. The Message says this, “. . . My Mountain, my huge, holy Mountain!” He is mine, and I am His.

2. He is my living Rock. David, in Psalm 18:46 says, “The Lord lives, and blessed by my rock.” A normal rock on this earth may be inorganic or mineral, having no life. But my Rock lives. He is there for me and He is alive with every emotion, feeling and passion for me.

3. He is my saving Rock. Moses called God his Rock of salvation (Duet 32:4, 15). David called Him, “Oh Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer”. (Psalm 19:14) He is the foundation of my faith and belief in redemption and salvation. It is rock solid and nothing can ever shake that firm foundation.

4. He is my hiding Rock. Remember that old hymn, “Rock of Ages, cleft for me. Let me hide myself in thee.” In times of trouble, times of despair, times of difficulty, times of uncertainty . . . there is a small, sheltered hiding place for me. I am able to hide in my Rock and nothing can or will harm me.

5. He is my protecting Rock. David, again in Psalm 18 declares his love for the Lord and calls Him, “my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my rock in whom I take refuge.” (vs 2-3). I remember playing “war” as a young boy. We would find as many rocks as we could and build a fort. Although someone could have easily pushed down our rock wall, we felt safe there from the enemy. He is my defender against all enemies . . . of the seen and of the unseen!

6. He is my refreshing Rock. Do you recall the story of Moses and the Children of Israel needing water. Moses was told by God to go and strike the rock. Upon obeying God . . . fresh, cool, clear water came gushing out from the rock. Today, He is still the source of clear, clean refreshment and renewal. He washes us with the water of His word. John 15:3 reminds us, “Now you are already clean through the word I have spoken to you.”

7. He is my building Rock. Matthew recorded the words of Jesus about building our lives. Jesus said, “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock.” If I hear His words and act on them, I have a solid rock as my foundation that will withstand any storms that life may bring my way. Hearing and doing . . .it takes both!

So, am I the rock for my family? Not even close. I’m not a rock . . . I’m a marshmellow!

I need to live my life in such a way that they go to the “Rock that is higher than me”! That’s what being a dad is all about . . .

He is My Mountain, my huge and holy Mountain!

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Posted in Children, daughters, encouragement, impact, influence, leadership, meaning, parenting

Posted by: Bob Miller | January 3, 2009

It is about me . . .

Nothing profound, today . . . in fact, there may be nothing profound in any day’s writings. Today is the first day of reflection this year.

As I reviewed this past year and began looking ahead, I again realized that it is all about me . . .

So today, Lord:

Remind me of Your unfailing love and Your unending care.

Teach me to love You and those around me . . . I know, I should have learned this by now.

Show me Your power everyday . . .through creation, through conflict, through conviction, through consistency.

Assure me that You are always there and that I will always belong to You.

Convict me of sin and self-centeredness.

Challenge me to leave this world better than I found it.

Allow me to make a difference in the lives of others.

Make me a man after Your own heart.

Use me . . .

Fill me . . .

Break me . . .

and Lord, crucify me with you that I may know the power of Your resurection, the fellowhsip of Your suffereing and the reality of being a dead man who is only alive in Christ.

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Posted by: Bob Miller | November 25, 2008

Proclamation or Practice

This week we celebrate one of my favorite holidays of the year . . . Thanksgiving Day!

In our home, like many of yours, it is a time of enjoying the company of family and friends; sharing in the kitchen and around the dinner table; and remembering the grace of God as seen in His care and His compassion in our lives.

In the year of 1777, the Continental Congress issued the first Thanksgiving Proclamation encouraging citizens of our new country to express appreciation to their Holy Creator. Their proclamation, read throughout the colonies, instructed them “to adore the superintending Providence of Almighty God; to acknowledge with Gratitude their Obligation to him for Benefits received and to implore such farther Blessings . . .”

It was recommended “to the legislative or executive Powers of these United States to set apart Thursday . . .and . . . at one Time and with one Voice, the good People may express the grateful Feelings of their Hearts, and consecrate themselves to the Service of their Divine Benefactor; and that, together with their sincere Acknowledgments and Offerings, they may join the penitent Confession of their manifold Sins, whereby they had forfeited every Favor; and their humble and earnest Supplication that it may please GOD through the Merits of JESUS CHRIST, mercifully to forgive and blot them out of Remembrance . . .”

What an incredible insight and moving thought that was proclaimed thorough out our land . . . to set aside one specific day to honor with gratitude and express our dependence on God.

Paul had a different take on declaring our sole dependence on God and evidencing that through a statement of thanksgiving. In I Thessalonians 5:18, he wrote, “in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Where our early forefathers thought it prudent to issue a proclamation for the giving of thanks, Paul instructed that it be a practice of our daily lives as followers of Christ. As we set aside some time to celebrate all that God has done, let’s consider several ways to make this attitude a part of our daily walk with Him.

Remember that God is good and His love endures forever. Throughout the Psalms, the writers encouraged us to remember this phrase, “God is good and His love endures forever”. (Psalm 106:1, 107:1, 118:1, 118:29, 136:1,2,3,26) Other authors of the scriptures also remind us of this truth of God’s goodness and love. (II Chron 20:21, Ezra 3:11, Jer 33:11). Remembering that He is good confirms His care for me today. Remembering His love endures forever confirms His concern for me tomorrow. In both, I have the confidence and encouragement to “give thanks”.

Recall all that God has done. David says in Psalm 9:1, “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.” Taking an inventory of all that God has done in my life, for my life and through my life causes me to stop and give thanks. Have you ever sat down, looked at an old photo album and then began to recall forgotten memories? Recalling your salvation, answers to prayer, grace that was given, mercy that was great, faith that moved . . . each of these causes us to “give thanks with our whole heart.”

Respond to God in psalm, in praise and in prayer. I know this may sound a bit unusual . . . but when is the last time you sang to God, thanking Him for what He has done. That’s where the book of Psalm originated. David, Solomon and the psalmist expressed their adoration and appreciation to God through song, through praise and often using these expressions as a prayer. Psalm 30:12 says, “That my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever.” Paul wrote that we are to “Let the word of Christ dwell in [us] richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in [our] hearts to God.”

Rejoice in God’s working the lives of others. This was a common expression of the New Testament writers. Paul frequently wrote that he thanked God for fellow saints and co-workers. (2 Thess 1:3, 2:13, Eph 1:16, Col 1:12, I Cor 1:4, I Thess 1:2). Giving thanks for what God is doing in the lives of loved ones, co-workers, fellow worshippers, and other saints not only develops appreciation for God and His work, but also for those in whom He is working.

Realize that this is God’s will for you. It’s His will not just for you, but for all of us. Paul reminded us, “in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Whenever we feel we have lost direction in finding God’s will . . . start by giving thanks. Appreciation to God for who He is and what He does always gets us back on track to finding His will.

As we put these thoughts into practice, what results will we see in our lives? Let consider three:

Gracious Response: When I practice these five etiquettes of thanksgiving I begin to see a change in the way that I talk and respond. I no longer complain or criticize. Instead, I begin to bless and encourage. It’s often been said that “sour grapes produce a fine WHINE”. How true. When we rejoice in gratitude, we respond with grace.

Grateful Reflection. Paul wrote in Philippians 4:8, “Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.” (The Message) Not only will my speech be effected, but my thoughts will also be impacted.

Gentle Reactions: What does the old proverb say . . . “as a man thinks in his heart, so is he”? Gratitude changes our speech, it changes our thoughts and in turn, it changes our actions. James identified this as a reflection of wisdom, “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.”

As we approach this wonderful time of the year . . . of time of thanksgiving and a time of true worship, I pray that you will not just proclaim a day of giving thanks, but that you will indeed daily practice giving thanks.

May God bless you as you remember, recall, respond, rejoice and realize all that God is and all that He has done.

Give thanks with a grateful heart,Give thanks unto the Holy One,

Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son
And now let the weak say “I am strong”,
Let the poor say “I am rich”,Because of what the Lord, has done for us
Give Thanks!
Give Thanks!
Give Thanks!

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Posted in encouragement, family, influence, leadership, meaning, purpose

Posted by: Bob Miller | November 21, 2008

Look Inside

This morning, I got up at 3:30, got dressed and took Alydia to church where she got on a bus and left for New York on an annual Thanksgiving mission trip. This has become a tradition for our girls when they reach their Senior year in high school. During the week, they will serve in soup kitchens, hand out clothing to people who live on the street, work with children . . . and have some fun in the City.

As is our tradition, Debi and I each wrote Alydia a note of encouragement and hid it in her suitcase, hoping that she finds it when she needs it the most.

This year, my card was unique. It was a transparent envelope with a blue bottle printed on the outside. The inside card simply said, “Look Inside” and it looked like it was printed on the bottle . . . it looked cool!

As I wrote Alydia’s note, I told her that the card said what I wanted her to do during this trip . . . I wanted her to “look inside”.

In our lives of comfort and ease, even in these economic struggles, we often fail to look inside to see what God is doing and how He is working in our hearts.

Paul reminds us that we are to examine ourselves . . . or look inside . . . on a regular basis.

“Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don’t drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out.” 2 Cor 13:5, and

“Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others.” Gal 6:4

As we look inside, we are reminded that as God has touched us, we can touch others. As we look in, we begin to live out.

Here are some thoughts on looking inside and living outside . . .

1. We bless others because we have been blessed. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul reminds us that we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus (Eph 1:3). When we look inside at all the ways God has blessed us, we need to be about the work of being a blessing to others.

2. We love others because we have been loved. Jesus is the source of love . . . He is love. We are told that we love, only because we have been first loved by God. (I John 4:19) As we walk in this life, we are to be aware of the opportunities that come before us each and every day to show love and to represent the love of God.

3. We give because we have been given. John reminds us (I John 3:18) that since we do have this worlds goods, that we ought to concerned on how to share those goods with others . . . with those who are in need. We give . . . following the example of God seen in John 3:16 . . . He loved . . . He gave!

4. We serve because we have been served. The heart of a believer, of a Christ-follower is seen in one who serves. NT teaching is reflective in Mark 10:45, Matt. 20:28, and John 12:26. Jesus did not come to be served . . . but to serve . . . and He has given us that example to follow.

Take a look on the inside . . . Do you like what you see?

Blessings . . . Love . . . Giving . . . Serving.

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Posted in Children, encouragement, impact, leadership, open heart

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