A Wise Investment

In the face of another trial, my mind has been in fast forward mode. Life trials tend to rob us of our sleep, our peace, our comfort and our trust. I've been wrestling some.

I know two people right now that have trials bigger than mine. I'm going to call these people "spiritual heroes." These individuals refuse to listen to the world and the lies of the deceiver. They are standing on the promises of God. They trust and know that He will come through for them even if life gets uglier before it gets pretty. But the secret is... they KNOW life will get pretty. God promised. That's some strong faith and amazing hope. They get their strength from the Lord. Through the trials of these "spiritual heroes" of mine I, too, am able to believe and know and trust in God's goodness.

"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

"Jesus looked at them and said to them, 'With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'" Matthew 19:26

"The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." Lamentations 3:25-26

What my "spiritual heroes" have, I also have. Thank goodness! It is an amazing thing. It is a relationship with Jesus. An intimate relationship with the God of love. The giver of life. The one who gives hope, peace, mercy and grace. God tells us in His Word to spend time with Him. To make a meeting time with Him daily and to make it a priority. He wants us to read His Words in the Bible. He wants us to pray and listen for His voice. He wants us to enjoy His presence.

When we are obedient to God and make time with Him, He blesses us and strengthens us. He gives us courage to face the day... whether it be a typical, ordinary, uneventful day... or a day we'd rather not face because it's filled with unknowns, trials, and painful things.

In this song by Francesca Battistelli she talks about how our circumstances look so different in the light of God's loving face. Please click on this link to "Strangely Dim" (then click the back arrow at the top to come back here.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsvMy5n5nrA

God is glorified when we sacrifice our time and our praises of thanksgiving no matter what the offering. He delights in praises of gladness and thanks for bitter trials. Giving thanks for the latter is much more difficult... for this recovering control freak anyway. Thanking God for the good things is easy... however, sometimes giving credit where credit is due is overlooked... to our sovereign God who gives us the pleasurable blessings in the first place.

Our verse of thanks for today is a simple way to get started.

"I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the LORD." Psalm 116:17

Learning from my "spiritual heroes" and from what God has been speaking into my heart through His Word and our daily "quiet time" has given me the courage to hand it over to Him. I thank God for this new trial because I know He has plans to make it work for good in the end. I made a wise investment in spending time with Jesus... and you can too.

I just love how this song by Jimmy Needham tells of the victory we have when we look to God for our strength. It's called "My Victory." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P480jDPpYHs

"And be thankful." Colossians 3:15b

Thank Offerings

I know that I just posted yesterday. But I also made a promise to God that I would listen to Him and write His messages as He gave them to me. He just gave one to me.

Today I went to Bible Study Fellowship (BSF http://bsfinternational.org/ ) Sharing Day. It is policy not to share other's stories. Don't worry, I won't. It is a safe place to bare our hearts and brag on God. I went down with the intent to listen and hear what God has been doing in women's lives through the study of Genesis over the course of the last 9 months. I had no intention of sharing a testimony myself.

Listening to the many wonderful deeds the Lord has done through this amazing tool, BSF, my spirit was stirred. You know, that rapid heartbeat and quickened breathing... also known as the Holy Spirit calling... He truly lives IN US!! Praise! Hallelujah! Amen!

I drove home on this gorgeous spring day in Minnesota praising God. And... I have to admit... confessing my sin of not giving God enough of the glory when I testified of His greatness and promises. When I returned home I got right into His word to study the next verse of thanks.

Here's today's verse:

"Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy." Psalm 107:22

OK. So, how do I ignore the obvious and wait another day or two to share what the Lord is telling us?! I just lived and enjoyed the beauty of this verse OUT LOUD at BSF Sharing Day! God's timing is amazing. He's sovereign and just seeps out love all over me. I hope you can feel it spilling over.

"But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds." Psalm 73:28

"I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done." Psalm 118:17

With this thrill comes the next blessing. Over 7 months ago, while reading in my devotional, Jesus Calling, I made a note by today's verse address (Ps 107:22) that told me to come back to the entry for October 14.

Be prepared to suffer for Me, in My Name. All suffering has meaning in My kingdom. Pain and problems are opportunities to demonstrate your trust in Me. Bearing your circumstances bravely - even thanking Me for them - is one of the highest forms of praise. This sacrifice of thanksgiving rings golden-toned bells of Joy throughout heavenly realms. On earth also, your patient suffering sends out ripples of good tidings in ever-widening circles.

When suffering strikes, remember that I am sovereign and that I can bring good out of everything. Do not try to run from pain or hide from problems. Instead, accept adversity in My Name, offering it up to Me for My purposes. Thus, your suffering gains meaning and draws you closer to Me. Joy emerges from the ashes of adversity through your trust and thankfulness.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers (sisters), whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (parenthesis added by me for the BSF ladies) James 1:2-4

"Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men. Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy." Psalm 107:21-22

The testimonies of God's goodness today at BSF were modern day thank offerings. These offerings were sent out with so much joy. The tears that were meant for pain were turned into tears of holy gladness by our loving God. When we are able to see God's goodness, through our blurry vision and tear stained cheeks, by sharing with transparent hearts God is glorified and lives are changed.

The golden-toned bells of Joy were truly ringing in the heavenly realms this morning. Praise! Alleluiah! Amen!

"And be thankful." Colossians 3:15b

What is Forever?

Recently my daughter has been asking a lot of questions about heaven and eternity. She is young and knows that God is good, that she has loved ones in heaven already, and that her future will last forever. What she is having trouble with is how her life here on earth will differ from her life in heaven. She wants details. Details like if she doesn't get the opportunity to love someone, get married and have children here on earth, will she get that chance in heaven? Will she remain the same age in heaven? Will she eat in heaven? If she doesn't need her earthly body in eternity, will she have a body? What will it look like? What will she do all day, every day, forever? Forever. What is forever?

I don't have these answers for her. I guess we need to do a biblical word study of heaven. I do know that we'll be reading Heaven is for Real, by Todd Burpo, together soon. It's an excellent glimpse into heaven through the eyes of a little boy. http://heavenisforreal.net/book/ I first read it several years ago after my young nephew was taken to his heavenly home in an accident. God gave our family many eternal blessings through the pain of that trial... and continues to bless us through that event still.

Forever has been on my mind a lot lately. While studying this next verse of thanks (words that we've looked at a few times already) forever is the word that stood out to me now. We've looked at the part "his love endures forever" in Reassurance (Dec 7 '12), A Great Choir (Jan 11 '13), Peace (Jan 24 '13) and just recently in A Mother's Love (May 12 '13).

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." Psalm 107:1

Psalm 107 is an urgent recommendation to praise the Lord for his unfailing love because he hears the prayers of those in need and saves them. The composer is urging Israel to thank God for His saving grace once again. His love endures forever! I'll say. God is amazingly patient with us. He loves us and forgives us over and over. And then, rewards us for coming to Him and believing in His grace through the death of His son, Jesus. Our reward is a new life, a spotless and sinless life in heaven... forever.

Take a minute now to thank and praise God with this powerful worship song. If you are unfamiliar and want to listen to it, click the link below. I'll get you started with the beginning lyrics...

Chris Tomlin's Forever

Give thanks to the Lord, our God and King

His love endures forever
For He is good
He is above all things
His love endures forever
Sing praise, sing praise, sing praise

With a mighty hand and outstretched arm
His love endures forever
For the life that's been reborn
His love endures forever
Sing praise, sing praise
Sing praise, sing praise forever

Forever God is faithful
Forever God is strong
Forever God is with us
Forever and ever, forever

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_dsZpcA2R8

As I said before, I find mom to be very wise in hiding this truth in our hearts by insisting that we recite... no pray... no thank and praise God in our daily dinner prayer the words of this verse of Psalms.

I still don't have an answer for my daughter's question, "What is forever?" But I have faith and will teach her that it will be better than we can possibly imagine.

"And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God." Revelation 21:10

"And be thankful." Colossians 3:15b

For I Have Sinned

Have you ever had the pleasure of experiencing a Teen Challenge choir and testimony service at your church or elsewhere? I have had the blessing several times. We just so happen to have one of these amazing, life changing, hope giving facilities in our area.

So, what is Teen Challenge? I found this on their website:

Teen Challenge has seen tens of thousands of drug addicts discover God’s healing and deliverance. Those who were in such bondage and hopelessness have discovered a whole new way of living, one filled with hope. More than 1,000 Teen Challenge programs exist in 93 countries of the world. http://globaltc.org/

Just yesterday I wept as I listened to the changed lives through heart wrenching testimonies and the glorious praises sang to our Lord and Savior, Jesus by the members of a Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge choir.

While praying this morning, I had this incredible urge to ask God to reveal specific forgotten unconfessed sins to me from my past. I wanted to confess them to Him so He could wash me clean of my past guilt and shame. I was surprised at the length of my prayer and of the memories that flooded in. I have done this several times before, but just felt the need for some good 'ol "spring cleaning." God is so amazing. God is truly sovereign.

This morning while I studied this next verse, the puzzle pieces came together as the Holy Spirit pressed on my heart His message of forgiveness.

"Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise." Psalm 106:47

Psalm 106 is a confession of Israel's long history of rebellion and a prayer for God to once again save his people. A prayer for deliverance and restoration.

As I said, God is amazing. He has such detailed control of our days that He allowed me to witness Teen Challenge, led me to pray for forgiveness, and then gave me this devotional from Jesus Calling. All while studying Psalm 106:47 for the past week.

When your sins weigh heavily upon you, come to Me. Confess your wrongdoing, which I know all about before you say a word. Stay in the Light of My Presence, receiving forgiveness, cleansing, and healing. Remember that I have clothed you in My righteousness, so nothing can separate you from Me. Whenever you stumble or fall, I am there to help you up.

Man's tendency is to hide from his sin, seeking refuge in the darkness. There he indulges in self-pity, denial, self-righteousness, blaming, and hatred. But I am the Light of the world, and My illumination decimates the darkness. Come close to Me and let My Light envelop you, driving out darkness and permeating you with Peace.

"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." 1 John 1:7

"I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels." Isaiah 61:10

"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" John 8:12

It didn't end there. After I was done with my morning quiet time I turned on my Christian music station... the song that was playing was Mark Schultz's "Love Has Come." Here are the beginning lyrics:

Well, I know this life is filled with sorrow

And there are days when the pain just lasts and lasts

But I know there will come a day

When all our tears are washed away with a break in the clouds

His glory coming down and in that moment

Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess

That God is love and love has come for us all

Every heart set free, every one will see

That God is love and love has come for us all

Read more at http://www.songlyrics.com/mark-schultz/love-has-come-lyrics/#UAOafIST3Vm42WMr.99

It doesn't surprise me in the least that God had me walk these steps in the order they came. It also doesn't surprise me that he didn't allow me to see this forgiveness message until today. I prefer to post two times a week... just a goal that I set for myself when I began this "thanks" study. I even told my discussion group last week that "I faithfully post about twice a week." God's timing is perfect. Mine is not. I am learning that I am better off allowing my stubborn will to bend to meet God's. He's much wiser than I.

God wants to fight for us. He wants to deliver us from our sins, addictions, shortcomings and failures. I have sinned and I am no different in God's eyes than the person being delivered from 30 years of drug abuse and multiple jail sentences. We all need Christ's redeeming blood. We all need God's amazing love... but we must be still and allow Him to do His work in our hearts and in our lives.

"Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" Psalm 46:10

I am so thankful that God is a God of mercy, grace and forgiveness! He loves us so much He wants to gather us to Himself in His heavenly kingdom. For that we can give thanks and glory in His praise!! Amen?

"And be thankful." Colossians 3:15b

A Mother's Love

forgive me... I don't know why this looks as it does and I don't know how to correct it. sorry.

It's Mother's Day 2013. Being a mother of four beautiful children, this is a day to celebrate and be celebrated. I am, and I will. But this day wouldn't be complete without focusing on the love that I know from my own mother. Not only does mom come to mind because of the obvious... Mother's Day... but because the verse that I've been studying for this next post makes me think of her.

"Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." Psalm 106:1

You may recall studying this verse with me back in December. In my post from Dec. 7, 2012 called Reassurance, we were looking at 1 Chronicles 16:34. I mentioned in that post that mom insisted on us using this portion of scripture as part of our dinner prayer. If you'd like, please go back and read about my dear mom in that old post. In Chronicles these same words appear in a psalm of King David. This time they were most likely penned by a Levite in Jerusalem sometime after the return of some of the exiles.

I have a major correction to make. Now, remember that I am not a Bible scholar by any means... just a mom that loves Jesus and God's Word. In my past post (12-7-12) I stated how many times I found this portion of text in the Bible, "his love endures forever." I said 4 times. Way off. Way, way off. This time, in studying His Word I found it 45 times! Twenty-six of those times were in the 136th Psalm alone!! That just goes to show you how much more I have to learn. I'm so glad that God is a God of grace.

In honor of my mom, I would like to share some of the things that I wrote about her in her Caring Bridge Journal last year.

Mother's Day

Written May 11, 2012 9:41pm by Merrie Tschida

Mom's continuing on her amazing recovery mode. She has been enjoying comfortable days and nights. She's been able to get outside and feel the sun on her skin and breathe the fresh air! God is amazing, isn't He?! And still so very mysterious. We're not questioning His greatness or His plan. We are simply thankful and filled with joy that His plan is allowing us to spend this Mother's Day with mom here in our presence and witnessing her feeling and looking as good as she does. Praise You, Jesus!

Of course I think Mother's Day is great... I was blessed enough (or silly enough - depends on who you ask and on what day) to bear four that call me "mom". It is my full time job. I take my work very seriously. I've even learned, with God's grace, to enjoy... no, LOVE my position. But the best part of it all... I have an amazing lady that I call mom who taught me how to do this thing called motherhood. And crazy as it sounds, I think she's taught me the most in these last 8+ months on how to be a great mom. I only pray that I can do as good a job in the end that she's done and continues to do while she has life and breath to share with me.

I'll close with a prayer from a book that mom gave to me years ago.

Heavenly Father,

I thank You for the many things on my plate right now. I am able to help people. I work to create a good home. I serve You and Your church with my gifts. You are so faithful, Lord. You have affirmed me and my current direction by blessing me with worthwhile responsibilities and opportunities.

I am finding fulfillment, thanks to Your guidance. I am more certain of myself, and my confidence in You grows with each passing day. When I finish a busy day and feel good, strong, and peaceful, I sense Your reassuring words:  "Well done."

"His master replied, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!" Matthew 25:23

Thanks mom, for life, love - the unconditional kind, believing in me - even when I didn't, and above all... faith in Jesus! What a legacy! You are one amazing lady! Well done my blessed mother!

"Her children arise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her." Proverbs 31:28

Immeasurably more

Written Oct 8, 2012 2:25pm by Merrie Tschida

Right about now... one month ago, we were all gathered around mom's bedside preparing our hearts and minds to say a final goodbye, for now, to mom. She entered her true home in heaven while we witnessed her beautiful, peace-filled, blessed passing into the arms of Jesus!

It's a moment that I will never forget and don't want to. It changed me forever. And I am thankful to have been able to share the experience with my loved ones first hand.

A little over a year ago, the week that we got the news of mom's returned cancer, I was on the phone with both mom and dad. I had been doing my devotional and was led to a verse in Ephesians. At the time I just had to share what God told me through His word that morning. I was so overwhelmed with what I thought He was telling me at the time.

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us" Ephesians 3:20

I believed then, that God was telling me He was going to do so much more than we were asking for. That He was going to miraculously heal my mother of stage 4 liver cancer! Which, from what I've read and heard, is undoubtedly a miracle.

Now, recently, I've come across that verse again and it had a much deeper meaning than my initial understanding. Aren't our human minds so incredibly finite? So limited. So vastly underexposed. We put God into this "box" let's call it, that allows us to think we understand His ways... when in reality, it is impossible for us to really understand His depth, width, and breadth.

Did God do immeasurably more for us? Yes. Did He do as I initially thought? A miracle healing? No, not a bodily healing. An earthly healing. He healed her much more perfectly than we can possibly understand. She is better than ever! She is rejoicing and praising directly to the throne of God! Immeasurable... I should say so! And that's only the beginning. He has worked miracles far deeper than we can ever imagine in our hearts. He has drawn us closer to Him in relationship than ever before. That is the absolute most precious, priceless gift a person can ever receive on this earth. My gratitude to God and my mom for their sacrifices for our sakes cannot be explained.

So... in about one year's time, this word from God (in Eph. 3:20) has come full circle. Immeasurably more.

Mom's love was great. I'm thankful for that, for she taught me so much. God's is greater yet. His love endures forever!

Happy Mother's Day!

"And be thankful." Colossians 3:15b

How Can I Repay?

Recently, my son and I watched the wonderful musical, Les Miserables. Although I have been blessed to have been able to see this production on stage, this big-screen version brought on new perspective. It was filmed live and therefore brings a very real and raw aspect to the story and it's characters. The scene that became more deep and alive for me was when the lead character, Jean Valjean, a fugitive, was taken in by a priest. The man fed him and cared for him only to have Valjean steal precious silver from his home. After being caught, the authorities brought him before the priest to show of his guilt, however, the priest told them that he was not guilty and that he gave Valjean the costly items. He was released and not charged. The priest believed there was goodness in Jean Valjean and allowed him to leave and keep the silver to start his life over. Valjean was forever changed by the priest's forgiving and gracious heart.

In our next verse of thanks, I am reminded of the debt that we owe to our High Priest and King. Though, He too, wants no payment for our redemption.

"Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done." Psalm 105:1

This psalm's theme is that the Lord has remembered His covenant with Abraham. It is a call to worship and trust the Lord because of His saving acts in giving Abraham's descendants, Israel, the land of Canaan. It is a vow of loyalty to God, to trust in Him alone.

As I studied this verse, I came across this psalm, which revealed to me the message that God wanted me to share: "How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me?" (Psalm 116:12) The answer is... I can't. I have nothing to offer God that would be equal to His giving up His only Son, Jesus, to die a brutal death on the cross at Calvary. Nothing.

But, like the priest in Les Mis, my heavenly father doesn't want payment for his forgiveness for my sins. Jesus already paid the price. The only thing that He desires, and that I can give, is my worship. My praise. My thanks. I can call on his name. In Joel 2:32 it tells me that everyone that worships God and prays to Him will be saved. And in Acts 2:21 it says the same words, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." However, mere words are not quite enough. My words must be wrapped in faith and my response must be pure. Meaning that not only do I have to change my mind about my desires and this world, but I need a radical change in my life as a whole. God wants me to turn away from sin and turn to Him or return to Him (depending on where I'm at in my faith walk).

Jesus, our High Priest, wants no payment for our sins. He knows the goodness in each and every one of us, His children. As a good and gracious father He believes in us, and wants only for us to believe in Him.

"And be thankful." Colossians 3:15b

There's No Place Like Home

You remember the scene... Dorothy has been moved through time and space, landed in a mystical, magical land, met three new friends, encountered danger and great evil, been accused of murder, been celebrated as a hero and directed by a fraud and a genuinely good "spiritual" presence. For what? What is Dorothy desperately longing for throughout her entire journey to and from Oz? Home. She is willing to do whatever it takes to get home.

Isn't that what we are all doing in this life? Either we are believers in Christ and longing for our Heavenly home. Or just trying to make sense of this place we now call home, here on earth.

In our next verse of thanks the psalmist is speaking literally of the temple in Jerusalem, where God's people publicly worshipped Him. However, I see it more as a prophesy for us of heaven. It comes from a fairly short chapter in the book of Psalms. I'm including the psalm in it's entirety because I believe it's message is that strong. Worth the read.

Psalm 100

A psalm. For giving grateful praise.

1"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.

2Worship the Lord with gladness;

come before him with joyful songs.

3Know that the Lord is God.

It is he who made us, and we are his^a ;

we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

4Enter his gates with thanksgiving

and his courts with praise;

give thanks to him and praise his name.

5For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;

his faithfulness continues through all generations."

In verse 4 (our verse of thanks) the literal meaning of "Enter into his gates" are the gates which lead to His temple, or to the place of public worship. The "courts" were literally the open spaces which surrounded the tabernacle or temple. It was in these places that worship was celebrated, and not in the tabernacle or temple itself. Today this would refer to the sanctuary in our churches where we worship.

When I came across Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary I couldn't believe that he saw this psalm the same way that I did... as a prophecy! I love the part about our motives to worship God and what God is in himself and what he is to me (in bold).

   Psalm 100:1-5: An exhortation to praise God, and rejoice in him. - This song of praise should be considered as a prophecy, and even used as a prayer, for the coming of that time when all people shall know that the Lord he is God, and shall become his worshippers, and the sheep of his pasture. Great encouragement is given us, in worshipping God, to do it cheerfully. If, when we strayed like wandering sheep, he has brought us again to his fold, we have indeed abundant cause to bless his name. The matter of praise, and the motives to it, are very important. Know ye what God is in himself, and what he is to you. Know it; consider and apply it, then you will be more close and constant, more inward and serious, in his worship. The covenant of grace set down in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament, with so many rich promises, to strengthen the faith of every weak believer, makes the matter of God's praise and of his people's joys so sure, that how sad soever our spirits may be when we look to ourselves, yet we shall have reason to praise the Lord when we look to his goodness and mercy, and to what he has said in his word for our comfort.

The more I study God's Word and the more time I spend in His presence, the more I feel His Spirit so near, so real. The peace that God gives deep within me is unlike anything I've ever experienced. Ever! It makes me realize that this life, here on earth, is not where I belong. This IS NOT my HOME. Heaven is where I belong. Heaven is my home.

"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ" Philippians 3:20

"And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth... Instead, they were longing for a better country - a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them." Hebrews 11:13b & 16

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God." Colossians 3:1

The lyrics from Laura Story's Blessings say it so well:

We know that pain reminds this heart

That this is not, this is not our home

What if my greatest disappointments

Or the aching of this life

Is a revealing of a greater thirst

This world can't satisfy

I encourage you to listen to the song for yourself by clicking on this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOOFAaUGfRE When you're finished just click the back arrow and it'll bring you back here.

Dorothy was willing to do whatever it took to get home. The thing is, she had what it took to get back there the entire time she was on her journey. Glenda, the good witch, placed those ruby slippers on her feet as soon as she conquered the Wicked Witch of the East. All she had to do was click her heals together and say, "There's no place like home, there's no place like home." We too, have the "ruby slippers" of Christ's blood to bring us home. All we have to do is trust in Jesus, confess our sins, and have the faith of a child that He will take us to our heavenly home one day. Then we can "enter into his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise." Can I have an Amen?! There's no place like home... our heavenly home.

"And be thankful." Colossians 3:15b

Holier Than Thou

What is one of the things we fear most in the church? For that matter, what is the greatest reason for folks outside the church to stay out? It's the same reason that someone who was once loved and involved in a body of believers (the church) leaves that place. Judgement. Unbridled righteousness. The "holier than thou" attitude that filters off of an individual onto another... only to be left feeling beaten, defeated, and unworthy.

"Be glad in the LORD, you righteous ones, And give thanks to His holy name." Psalm 97:12

So, who are the "righteous ones"? What does righteous mean?

In my study notes it describes a righteous person as one of God's people. It presents them as those who honor God and order their lives in all things according to his will. In every human relationship they faithfully fulfill the obligations that the relationship entails, remembering that power and authority (of whatever sort: domestic, social, political, economic, religious, intellectual) are to be used to bless, not to exploit.
 right·eous 

   adjective 3. acting in an upright, moral way; virtuous: a righteous and godly person.

This is how God meant for it to be - because He is righteous and He created us to be that way too. However, the problem stated above with judgement, is that we are no longer the way God created us due to the fall into sin. That's where the "self-righteousness" comes into play. As sinful beings it is our natural bent to be self-reliant and self-absorbed. When we practice religion and learn of God's ways, designs and laws we twist that power and think it is our job to judge others and tell them "how we would do it" or how they "should" live. Or take it to the extreme and look down the nose and shun the "sinner" as the pharisees did in biblical times. That's not how Jesus went about His work... and He was completely holy, altogether righteous. We are not. And we should not... be self-righteous.

A couple warnings about self-righteous behavior:

"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven." Matthew 6:1

"Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness." Romans 10:3 

Righteousness comes through God's grace and Jesus' death:

"This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." Romans 3:22-24

"God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:21

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary speaks of righteousness (in regard to our verse of thanks):
   Gladness is sure to the upright in heart; the joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment. Sinners tremble, but saints rejoice at God's holiness. As he hates sin, yet freely loves the person of the repentant sinner who believes in Christ, he will make a final separation between the person he loves and the sin he hates, and sanctify his people wholly, body, soul, and spirit.

Who is holier than thou? God. Only God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). When people try to take on God's authority and judge others with self-righteousness it doesn't work. The key is truly believing that our sinless Jesus died for our sins. Then repent (seek forgiveness) with an honest heart when we fail to walk in obedience to God's laws.

When we realize our roll, in submission to God's authority, and have faith in Christ we, too, are the righteous ones. That gives us the joy to be glad in the Lord and to give thanks to His holy name!

"And be thankful." Colossians 3:15b