Sacrifices Pleasing to God

"Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased" Hebrews 13:15-16 NASB.

As the temperatures cool and Fall approaches, it will not be long until we are gathering with family and friends for Thanksgiving. This Thanksgiving it may be difficult to find things to be grateful for. My family faces our first Thanksgiving since the homegoing of my sister-in-law and mother-in-law. This will not be an easy day to celebrate. You and I will need to practice how to "offer up a sacrifice of praise to God." But thanks we can and we will give if we are willing to look for God's provision in the midst of our circumstances. It is a sacrifice to turn our eyes away from what we don't have to what we are blessed to still have and to know that if we only had Jesus, He would be enough. In the midst of grief I have 25 years of memories and I have the hope of seeing family, now with Christ, again.

Asking why and complaining would be easy. Choosing to praise by giving thanks is a sacrifice we give, not in our own strength, but through Him. We need to practice what we sing:
"Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace."

Recently, I had a phone conversation with one of our Visionary Partners. For as long as I have known Mrs. J she has been unemployed. Each phone call would end with her saying, "I will give as long as I can!" For two years she has been unemployed. For two years we have prayed for her situation to change. For two years she has continued to support this ministry. During our last conversation Mrs. J. once again, with joy, said "I will give as long as I can!" But this time she also shared that she would be going out later that day to pick up some free food. The extent of her situation was apparent. But the extent of her obedience and sacrifice also became crystal clear. This is what it means to give sacrificially. I know this is pleasing to God.

Paul says this. "I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little" Philippians 4:11-12 NEV.

Twice Paul shares the secret - I have learned. Between now and Thanksgiving you and I have time to learn to be content, to live with much or little, to offer praise and thanksgiving, to continue to do good, to share AND please God!

Kathy Withers

Kathy's on staff at America's KESWICK in the Development Department. Kathy has been married to her husband Dave for 25 years. They have two adult children. Kathy is active in her local church and has previously served as a Teaching Director for Community Bible Study. Her passion is to encourage women to deepen their walk with Jesus Christ by finding and living out the truths of God's Word.

DIGGING DEEPER
James 5:9
Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.

Cross references:
A. James 5:9 : Matt 7:1
B. James 5:9 : 1 Pet 4:5; Rev 22:12
C. James 5:9 : Matt 24:33; Mark 13:29; 1 Cor 4:5


It's finally here!!! Crossing the Jordan: Living Victoriously in Difficult Relationships by Diane Hunt, MaryAnn Kiernan, DeEtta Marsh, Stephanie Paul and Betsy Shoppy (several of our Victory Call writers). Today's Victory Call is just a taste of what you will find in this Bible Study for women. Although it was originally written for wives of men in addiction it has already been a blessing to women from various circumstances and relationships: moms, siblings, daughters, wives, fiancees' etc. Most of the 14 chapters are applicable to any woman in any situation. To secure your own copy contact America's Keswick Guest Services 732.350.1187 $16.00. If you have any questions contact Diane Hunt at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.