Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Colossians 2:6-7 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
RECIPE FOR A THANKFUL HEART: BAKE IN A HOT OVEN
What about the last part of God's recipe for a thankful heart? Bake in a hot oven? Well, who wants a nice fresh slab of . . . dough? The dough must be fired or the bread will be flabby and weak with no golden brown crust and no pleasing aroma from the kitchen.
God takes those thankful hearts, the same ones He has changed by His mighty power, the same ones He has showered with blessings, and He puts them in the oven. 1 Peter 1:6-7, "Now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith -- of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire -- may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."
Through fiery pathways He leads us -- through days of temptation and trouble. Through hours of frustration and doubt He brings us. For God knows, even as we do, that it is easy to be thankful when everything is going right. It is pleasant to give thanks for good health when we have it in abundance. It is a thrill to give thanks for food when our tables are overflowing. He sends us the hard times so we understand this too: that we can give thanks in all circumstances.
In the oven of trial our hearts are refined. They are made stronger and yes, even more thankful. Our gracious God leads us to overflow with thanksgiving even when we have little money; when the bills are hard to pay; when our health begins to fail; when your children and friends forsake you; when we are sad; when we must do hard things. In those days God shows us that even then He has blessed us.
"I have made you mine forever.
I have given my Son -- my dearest treasure -- to you.
I will raise you to myself for an everlasting Thanksgiving Day."
