#931 Giving Thanks – My Thanksgiving Prayer

Guest devotional by Xiomara L. O’Neill[1]

First published November 22, 2012

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

With my heart filled with gratitude, I praise the Lord!  As I wake up in the morning and lay down to sleep in the evening, I lift my voice in thanksgiving to You, O God! For this day and its opportunities, for yesterday and its learning experiences, for tomorrow and all that You have prepared for me, I thank You Lord! For the things I do not understand, and at this time might not be pleasant, but that bring me closer to You, I thank You Lord! For family, friends and people I meet each day that help me to see clearly the road ahead in my journey towards Your glorious presence, I thank You Lord! For Your given power that transforms even my most hidden thoughts, heals and restores my relationship with you and others, I thank You Lord! For the ability to understand and accept You as Creator, Almighty, and loving God, I thank You Lord! For providing all that I need in Jesus, I humbly bow before You today, and in His name I freely say, ‘THANK YOU LORD!

On this Thanksgiving Day, 2012, take the time to thank the Lord for all the blessings He has so graciously provided!

May God Richly Bless You Today

[1] Xiomara L. O’Neill has her Masters of Social Work from Baylor University and Masters of Divinity from Truett Seminary.  Formerly a dentist on her home Island of San Andreas, Colombia, she currently serves the Lord in Christian social work in El Paso, Texas, where her husband, Edgardo, serves as Evangelism and Missions Minister at First  Baptist Church.

#765 Little Foxes and Relationships – Other Little Foxes to Catch

Inspired by and adapted from a sermon entitled Catching the Little Foxes by Dr. D. L. Lowrie, Sr.; used with permission.

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We have recently been looking at the little foxes of pride, bitterness, deceit, and neglect, all that destroy our relationship with God, our spouse, and others if not eliminated from our lives.  These are dangerous, but there are numerous other little sins in our lives that we may consider unimportant or just folly, but that also do damage in the vineyard of our relationships.  One such fox is that of the little white lie that can quickly and easily become the big black lie.  Another may be gossip that ruins reputations as well as relationships.  Laziness generally leads to further laziness, often leading to poverty, forcing relationships on the brink of disaster.  A lack of faith and trust certainly hinders our walk with the Lord and creates an obstacle to our relationship with our spouse and others.  These are just some of the many little foxes we could mention; however, it is sufficient to understand and realize that we must rid ourselves of all the little foxes if we desire to experience the joy of God’s best for our lives.

Do you have little foxes in your life that are ruining your relationship with the Lord and others?  If so, ask God’s forgiveness now, eliminate them from your life, and experience the joy of an unblemished relationship with Him and others!

“As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.”   (Ecclesiastes 10:1 – NIV)

 May God Richly Bless You Today

#764 Little Foxes and Relationships – Fixing the Little Fox of Neglect

Inspired by and adapted from a sermon entitled Catching the Little Foxes by Dr. D. L. Lowrie, Sr.; used with permission.

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Unlike many of the little foxes in our lives which are deep-rooted in our hearts and minds, the little fox of neglect can be fixed relatively quickly, if we are willing to let go and do so.  There are some people who neglect intentionally, for these there being no quick fix.  Only through humbling themselves before God and allowing Him to work through a change in their heart can there be a fixing of their neglect.  For most of us, though, any neglect comes unintentionally mostly from thoughtlessness, our desire not being to hurt our spouse or turn away from God.  Busyness has consumed us, causing us to suffer in our relationships and even our health.  God’s desire is for us as Christians to look at time and relationships from an eternal standpoint, setting our priorities with eternity in mind.  In doing so, we will strive to eliminate obstacles that prevent us from focusing on God’s best for us.  Sometimes this may require letting go of something good to hang onto or gain something that is best, and it may be difficult, but with God’s help, we can rid ourselves of the little fox of neglect.[1]

Are you struggling with priorities in your life?  If so, focus on what God would have you place at the front of your life and allow Him to help you make that happen!

“He has made everything appropriate in its time.  He has also put eternity in their hearts, but man cannot discover the work God has done from beginning to end.”   (Ecclesiastes 3:11 – HCSB)

May God Richly Bless You Today

[1] Some thoughts and principles taken from Simple Life by Thom S. and Art Rainer, Nashville, TN:  Lifeway Press, 2009

#763 Little Foxes and Relationships – The Most Dangerous Neglect

Inspired by and adapted from a sermon entitled Catching the Little Foxes by Dr. D. L. Lowrie, Sr.; used with permission.

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The dangerous little fox of neglect can destroy the earthly relationship of marriage; likewise, it can destroy our spiritual relationship of fellowship with God.  The joy in our heart that God intended we have in both relationships is lost when we let neglect ruin them.  Yet, as dangerous as neglect is to these relationships, there is still another neglect that is the most dangerous of all, that being the neglect of salvation that an unbeliever takes on himself.  While we as Christians have received God’s grace of salvation by accepting Christ through faith as our Savior, there are many unbelievers that have neglected and refused His free offer of salvation.  How sad that through neglect, these that do not accept salvation will spend eternity separated from the One who loves them, died on the cross for them, and rose again for them so they could spend eternity with Him in heaven.  Just as the vineyard keeper has to catch the little fox raiding the vineyard, unbelievers need to catch and destroy the little fox of neglect and experience the delicious fruitfulness of being a child of God.

If you are a Christian, share the Gospel with those you know to be unbelievers; if you do not know Christ as personal Savior, today is the perfect time to accept Him and join the fellowship of believers in the family of God!

“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to His own will?”   (Hebrews 2:3-4)

 May God Richly Bless You Today

#762 Little Foxes and Relationships – Neglect of Spiritual Disciplines

Inspired by and adapted from a sermon entitled Catching the Little Foxes by Dr. D. L. Lowrie, Sr.; used with permission.

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

It was the Apostle Paul’s desire to have a spiritual walk with the Lord that would make him more like Christ, a desire that should be that of every Christian.  To be more like Christ, we faithfully exercise spiritual disciplines in order to mature spiritually; however, our walk and fellowship with the Lord can be endangered when we neglect the spiritual disciplines.  We need to ask ourselves some important questions.  Too tired to spend time with the Lord in a daily devotional of Bible study and prayer?  Too busy to worship the Lord on a regular basis at a local congregation?  Too aloof to spend time in fellowship with fellow believers?  Too timid to witness about the Lord to unbelieving family members, friends, and neighbors?  Prayerfully ask yourself and answer these questions, recognizing neglect of spiritual disciplines can have everlasting consequences.

Are you constantly maturing spiritually in your Christian walk?

“For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.”   (II Peter 1:8-9)

 May God Richly Bless You Today

#758 Little Foxes and Relationships – Deceitfulness and God’s Forgiveness

Inspired by and adapted from a sermon entitled Catching the Little Foxes by Dr. D. L. Lowrie, Sr.; used with permission.

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Not everyone responds appropriately when faced with a situation that is strong and injurious against them.  The hurt and/or disappointment caused by such a situation remains and gnaws at the stomach for awhile, then it begins turning to anger which in turn becomes bitterness, there being no limit as to how long it can be carried in the heart.  Carrying such bitterness not only affects the way we look at and treat people, it affects our relationships as well as our own emotional and physical well-being, often causing us to look for revenge believing this will cure the pain in our heart.  Instead, we need to commit judgment to the Lord with the only way to completely rid ourselves of the bitterness and pain being to humble ourselves before God, asking His forgiveness for carrying it and asking Him to remove such feelings from our heart.  Only then can we again enjoy the joy and peace in our heart that comes with a restored relationship.

Search your heart:  is there any bitterness that needs to be confessed to God?  If so, today would be the right time to make that confession and experience His wonderful forgiveness!

“Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written:  ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”   (Romans 12:19 – NIV)

 May God Richly Bless You Today

#757 Little Foxes and Relationships – Responding Appropriately

Inspired by and adapted from a sermon entitled Catching the Little Foxes by Dr. D. L. Lowrie, Sr.; used with permission.

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Over the previous two days we have seen two words mentioned frequently:  “responding” and “appropriately.”  It has been suggested that responding appropriately when we are being hurt, insulted, disappointed, or upset by someone would have prevented us from allowing the anger within us to fester into the little fox of bitterness.  Responding appropriately, though, is easy to say and considerably more difficult to place into action, especially when someone is tearing us apart verbally.  Although it is generally important that the other person know our side of the discussion, it is not important that we “win” the discussion or argument, especially if it means treating the other person the same inconsiderate way we are being treated.  When we reply with the same grace and forgiveness shown by our Lord toward us, we can walk away with a peaceful heart, not harboring the anger and resulting bitterness, knowing that we are honoring and glorifying God in doing so.

The next time you are in a discussion that turns into more of an argument, think of the grace and forgiveness that God has shown you, and allow Him to guide you as you “respond appropriately” to the other person!

“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”   (I Peter 3:9 – NIV)

May God Richly Bless You Today

#756 Little Foxes and Relationships – The Root of Bitterness

Inspired by and adapted from a sermon entitled Catching the Little Foxes by Dr. D. L. Lowrie, Sr.; used with permission.

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The little fox of bitterness does not happen overnight but does so over time.  We may encounter a disappointment, insult, or offense that angers or upsets us greatly.  Instead of responding appropriately we internalize the anger, allowing it to become bitterness which then becomes the root of bitterness within our heart.  When that happens it changes us as we look on life, people, and especially the one who angered us in a twisted way, reflecting the bitterness and anger that had never been resolved.  Although it may start as a little fox, the longer the anger and bitterness are fed, the larger it becomes, destroying our fellowship with God, marriages, relationships between friends, and our own internal peacefulness.  The little fox of bitterness is dangerous and just not worth the pain and suffering it causes all involved, but there are solutions that we can follow which we will discuss tomorrow.

As you go about your daily life in various relationships, be careful that you do not allow the root of bitterness to become a part of your heart!

 “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.”   (Hebrews 12:15)

May God Richly Bless You Today

 

#755 Little Foxes and Relationships – Little Fox of Bitterness

Inspired by and adapted from a sermon entitled Catching the Little Foxes by Dr. D. L. Lowrie, Sr.; used with permission.

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Over twenty years ago, two men got into a heated argument at a church function.  One of the men took offense at what the other said, and walked away very upset.  For nearly fifteen years, the offended man was bitter, carrying a grudge against the other man, and avoiding him as much as possible.  One day the other man, not even remembering the incident, met an urgent need in the life of the offended man, and the offended man realized that it was only himself that had been hurt from the bitterness.  Here was a broken relationship between friends because of the little fox of bitterness.  Bitterness is a heart condition that happens when someone fails to respond appropriately to provocation.  In the example above, a close and friendly relationship was ruined because the offended man failed to respond appropriately to provocation, carrying bitterness in his heart.  This is no different than what can happen in marital relationships or our relationship with God when bitterness is in the heart.  We will continue tomorrow.

Is there bitterness in your heart against God, your spouse, or a friend?  Begin today thinking of ways to take the initiative in restoring the relationship!

“For I see you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”   (Acts 8:23 – HCSB)

May God Richly Bless You Today

#754 Little Foxes and Relationships – Root Cause and Cure for Deceitfulness

Inspired by and adapted from a sermon entitled Catching the Little Foxes by Dr. D. L. Lowrie, Sr.; used with permission.

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The little fox of deceitfulness comes from a heart that is not fully committed to either God or our spouse.  We pretend to be the best spouse, saying the right words, but our heart is not in the words, and often we live a separate life outside the marriage that does not honor God or the marriage.  Likewise, we may go to church, sing the songs, pray the prayers, yet our heart may not truly be in it.  Jesus condemns this behavior by saying that these people honor Him with their lips while their heart is far from Him.[1]  A marriage or walk with God cannot be built on such deceit; the truth will come out.  God desires that we be open and honest with each other in our relationships.  As Christians, our lives should be such that we grow spiritually and develop more and more Christlike, only accomplished by walking as He did in all truthfulness.

As you worship and walk with God, be careful that your heart is right with Him and that you are not just giving “lip-service” for others to see!

“But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.”   (I John 1:7)

May God Richly Bless You Today

[1] Matthew 15:8