THE NEW EWE

"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'"

Luke 15:4-6

May 4, 2022

LIFE IN THE FOLD

A few weeks ago, I was reading in Psalms and randomly turned to chapter fifty. Some of the verses began really speaking to me, so I would like to share those with you this week.

Beginning in verse eight it says, "I have no complaint about your sacrifices or the burnt offerings you constantly offer. But I do not need the bulls from your barns or the goats from your pens. For all the animals of the forest are mine, and I own the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird on the mountains, and all the animals of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for all the world is mine and everything in it."

Then verse fourteen says: "Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High. Then call on Me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give Me glory."

Then skipping down to verse twenty-three, it says, "But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me."

We discussed these verses in our Wednesday evening Bible Study and the question was asked, "Why would thankfulness be a sacrifice to God?" We tossed around a few thoughts that came to mind.

A couple days later, the Holy Spirit brought those verses back to mind and showed me the answer. Actually, there could be other reasons or answers, but this is the one that was revealed to me.

As these verses, as well as others, state that the earth and everything on it belongs to God. Psalms 24:1 says, "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to Him."

Deuteronomy 10:14: "Look, the highest heavens and the earth and everything in it all belong to the Lord your God."

Job 41:10 says that everything under heaven is the Lords.

Prior to Jesus coming to earth, God's people were required to bring sacrifices to the temple. They were to bring their best to be offered up. In this Psalm, God wasn't telling them to stop bringing their sacrifices, because that was what He had set up for this time as a way for them to atone for their sins. In fact, He said that He had no complaint about their sacrifices.

But what they were offering up to Him were things that He already had access to; things that He had created and already owned. What He really desired was their sacrifice of thanksgiving.

Today we don't offer up animal sacrifices. Jesus came and gave His life for our atonement of sin. He was the ultimate sacrifice.

But there are still things that we give to God, such as our money by giving tithe and offerings. Even though we are told to give, all of our finances already belong to God, regardless of what we do with it. He's the one who provided the means by which we get it. All of the material things that we own are really God's. He has the authority and ability to give and take away.

So why is thanksgiving a sacrifice that honors Him? Because our thanks is something that doesn't already belong to God; it's not something that He already has access to or owns. But our thanks is something that we have to choose to offer up to Him. It's something that only we can give. God made us a people of free will, so we have to decide to give Him our sacrifice of thanksgiving, He can't force it from us or demand that we give it to Him.

If so, it would kind of be like when a child receives a gift and their parents force them to tell the giver thank you. That makes it awkward for the one who bought the gift, when the child is commanded to say thank you, and you know that they don't want to do it. Then if the child is busy playing and doesn't, the parent forces them to stop what they're doing and say the words. It's generally not heartfelt and only done so they don't get into trouble and can move on with what they want to be doing. I understand that the parent is trying to teach their child good manners; but it means so much more when the child is excited and says thank you on their own!

When we choose to tell the Father thank you on our own, because we love Him and are truly thankful for all He's giving to us and for all that He's done, it honors Him. It means more to Him than if He tried to force us to say the words, when we're really not feeling it or don't want to.

Since having a better understanding of these verses, I have been trying to remember to offer thanksgiving to God every morning. The 15-20 minutes that I'm in the car each morning is the time that I've set aside to spend offering my thanks to Him. Thanking Him for who He is, for what He's done, for His creation and the beauty I see around me, for His daily mercies and love and forgiveness and kindness..... and the list goes on and on!

1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

May we each choose to offer our thanks to God, as a sweet sacrifice, each and every day! Not because He requires or demands it, but because He is worthy and we love Him and desire to honor Him!

JON'S PERSPECTIVE:

We owe God our thanks. And he is honored by it, and desires it. It should be easy for us to give, so why is it such a sacrifice?

If someone gives us a Christmas gift, we, as adults, are normally quick to thank them for it. But when we receive a paycheck, it can feel difficult to thank God for it. After all, we worked for it, too. I think that's why it is a "sacrifice of thanksgiving". There are several verses that refer to a sacrifice of thanksgiving or a sacrifice of praise. And if it is important enough to repeat, it is important that it is described not just as a debt of thanksgiving or a gift, but a sacrifice.

It can be hard sometimes to work for something, earn a paycheck, to build a shed, to tend a yard, and then thank God for the results. It would feel better to thank ourselves, or to have others thank us for that. But we are asked to sacrifice that thanks, and give it to God instead of keeping it for ourselves.

So, don't just thank God if He gives you healing, or just for His grace, or gifts that He is obviously responsible for. Give Him thanks for all you have. It brings Him honor, just as a grateful and obedient child brings honor to their parents.

ON THE MENEWE:

Avocado Tacos

Brown hamburger with the chopped onion; drain, then return to skillet. Sprinkle taco seasoning over the top (as much as desired); stir (or if you want, you could follow the directions on the taco packet -- I just didn't want my meat that "juicy".) Stir in shredded cheese and allow to melt in with the hamburger mixture.

Cut avocados in half; remove seed and scoop avocado halves out of the skins.

To serve: place avocado half on your plate, fill with taco meat mixture. Top with whatever toppings you desire; sour cream, salsa, jalapenos, additional shredded cheese, etc.

*Note: if you want your avocado to sit flat on your plate and not fall to one side, slice a little off the bottom to make it flat. I didn't do that and they fell over, but still tasted great!

THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER:

One of my nephews recently was hired to teach woodworking at a local school for next year. He was asked if he would take their bus driving course so that he could drive for field trips. He laughingly told his mom that he was getting his dream job! When he was a little boy he had told her that when he grew up he wanted to drive a school bus. He said that it might not pay very good, but it would probably be an easy job! I guess we shall see just how easy it is, after he drives a bus load of kids for the first time next year!!

THOUGHT TO PONDER:

The most beautiful things in life are not things.

They're people and places and memories and pictures.

They're feelings and moments and smiles and laughter. - unknown

OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO YOU:

We love you!

Loretta & Jon

http://www.graysheep.org