Daily Bible Reading - December 14, 2017

Today's Reading:

Philippians 2:12-30

Ezekiel 21-22

Isaiah 50

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Thoughts and Commentary on Today's Reading   

Today is a particularly difficult day. My husband and I have an appointment that we have been praying about for weeks. It is an appointment to try to bring peace in a situation, where "disputings" against us have arisen. Such situations are difficult to say the least. Facing such an appointment, I was particularly blessed by Philippians 2 today. What a wonderful God we serve, who empowers us to face the day - whether easy or difficult - with praise to Him. And that, by His Grace, is how I face today :-) I am especially blessed by the following promise and reminder:

Philippians 2:13-15 - "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings. That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world."

To do all things without "disputings" means to live in peace with all, even when they aren't peaceful towards you. That's something we can do only through Yahweh's power. But having addressed bitterness already - and recently - I'd like to focus on the "murmurings" part. Here we find a reminder about being thankful - at all times living without complaint. Frankly, that's also something we can do only through Yahweh's power.

There is no denying that times are tough. Many people are out of work, cannot find a job and are struggling financially. The unemployment rate is still up and food stamps and unemployment benefits are being distributed at record levels. 

When times are good, it is easy to be grateful to Yahweh for the many blessings He has bestowed upon us. But during hard times, it is often difficult to be grateful to Yahweh. Whatever our personal circumstances, Yahweh is still God and He is still good.  So, when we feel like we have struggled enough or lost more than our fair share, how do we remain thankful and maintain a grateful spirit toward God?

The more thankful one is, the more there is to be thankful for. A person cannot be complaining and thankful at the same time, nor can they worry about money or health or anything while being thankful. Instead of complaining and viewing the glass half empty, we need to stop and praise Yahweh for His many blessings. Because Yahweh never fails, and because He works everything together for good, there is always something to be thankful for. Better a handful with quietness than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind.” (Ecclesiastes 4:6)

So how can you still be thankful if you are facing financial troubles and monetary setbacks?

Life is not all about accumulation of things. He who dies with the most money or the most toys, still dies. No one can take their friends or their collections with them to the grave. Job, in Job 1:21 said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there. Yahweh gave, and Yahweh has taken away; Blessed be the Name of Yahweh.”)

A very well-grounded perspective. Solomon repeated the truth in Ecclesiastes 5:15. “As he came from his mother's womb, naked shall he return, to go as he came; and he shall take nothing from his labor which he may carry away in his hand. 

Yahshua asked the rhetorical question, “Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” (Matthew 6:25) And Yahshua taught clearly in Luke 12:15 to “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”

Life for the Christian is about loving God and loving others, and introducing people to the Master Yahshua Messiah. People are to be loved and things are to be used, and never the opposite. All things considered, life is precious and fleeting and fragile, and it behooves believers to take time often and just be thankful. Make a list of things to be thankful for if necessary, but part of obeying God's Word is taking time for giving Him thanks.

So, I’d like to encourage you to seek contentment. Praise Yahweh for His many blessings. Dwell in continual praise and thanksgiving for His abundant goodness towards you. And walk in this pattern every day, whether easy or hard – this is true Thanks Living. 

By Yah's Grace, we can live in this blessing every day, no matter what the day may bring. For this I truly am thankful.