“These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full” (John 15:11 KJV). Joy is an emotion, which Jesus has placed in us through the forgiveness of our sins. “And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement” (Romans 5:11). Our enjoyment of God comes from our appreciation of what He has done for us, which causes us to be grateful. “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1Thessalonians 5:18). When we give thanks to God, we enjoy Him more, only to find “the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy” (1Timothy 6:17) gives us even more. And so, we enjoy God “more and more unto the perfect day” (Proverbs 4:18). Father, blessed be Your name, “who giveth us richly all things to enjoy” (1Timothy 6:17). May our enjoyment of You be returned in praise and service. In Jesus’ wonderful name, we pray. Amen.
Gratitude
Gift of Physical Life
The ability to sense our surroundings gives us self-awareness, and acknowledging God’s presence is essential to appreciating God’s gift of physical life. “For in Him we live, and move, and have our being” (Acts 17:28 KJV). Laying down our physical life for a selfless cause is both loving and heroic. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). But, the hopeless taking of our own life is both suicide and unpardonable. What then is the best thing to do with our gift of physical life? “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:1-2). LORD, You are the giver of all good gifts. May we not consider ourselves as our own, but to be used for whatever gives You the greatest benefit, for then we will have our greatest happiness. Return quickly, and accomplish all your will on earth as it is in Heaven. Amen.
Help Wanted: Hiring Immediately
Picture a home owner looking for day laborers to help with a project on their property, recruiting at their local home improvement store. But, instead of a home owner, Jesus described a landowner hiring workers for his vineyard. Beginning early in the morning, he contracted with workers for the standard wage of a “denarius” (Matthew 20:2 ESV). The employer returned at nine o’clock, noon, three o’clock, and five o’clock with the offer, “Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you” (20:4 KJV). The “eleventh hour” (20:9) was five o’clock. At the end of the day, the landowner paid everyone the same wage, to the chagrin of those who had worked the longest and hardest. Consider: (1) availability of employment: matches the willingness of the workers, (2) immediacy of employment: now, (3) scope of employment: vineyard of God’s kingdom, (4) wages of employment: agreed upon by both parties, (5) dissension of the employees: fairness based solely upon consideration of self, (6) character of employer: “generous” (20:26 NET), and (7) sovereignty of the employer: “the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen” (20:16 KJV). LORD, we could not ask for a better employer than You, since we are that Eleventh Hour Laborer at the end. But, help us not to grumble, if You should tarry Your return. May we be found with our hand on the plow not looking back. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Ice Cubes Shouldn’t Float
“By the breath of God ice is given, and the broad waters are frozen fast” (Job 37:10 ESV). If supernatural means defying the laws of physics, then a floating ice cube would be supernatural. Okay, maybe not as impressive as God speaking the world into existence ex nihilo or promising with a rainbow never to destroy the world again with a flood. In physics, we expect the solid form of a substance to be more dense than its liquid form. However, the solid crystalline form of water is less dense than its liquid phase, causing ice to float, seemingly defying the laws of physics. The polar ice caps consequently float, instead of sinking to the bottom, and freezing the earth’s oceans from the bottom up. Living water is the basic molecule of life on earth. Humanity needs to pay more attention to our Creator. LORD, we have willingly forgotten You as the source of all blessings. May we repent and return in worship and gratitude to You our Faithful Creator. Amen and amen.
Anxious for Nothing
“Be careful [Greek, merimnaō, anxious] for nothing” (Philippians 4:6 KJV) means we shouldn’t worry about anything. It’s practically impossible not to worry, unless we’re really persuaded God is listening to our prayers. “But in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Philippians 4:6 KJV). We ask and petition God with gratitude concerning whatever is on our mind. Not only does He supply our needs, but it fortifies our faith, when we are doing whatever we can cooperating with God. What a wonderful exchange! “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7 KJV). And, God is always giving more than we know to ask (Ephesians 3:20)!
We Need A Miracle 