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CHRISTIAN LIVING TODAY
November is here. Most of us ask ourselves, “How can it be this time of year already?”
Many of my friends use this month as a season of gratitude, a season to identify daily reasons to give thanks to God. It’s a great practice, even if you only identify something specific to thank God for.
One reason from Psalm 19:1-4, a favorite prompt for me, describes the most basic way God discloses Himself — general revelation, a method He uses to communicate to everyone. General revelation includes facts, as the heavens declare the glory of God. The sky proclaims His handiwork — the methods He uses to speak to mankind, to communicate His presence, power, orderliness, sovereignty and faithfulness.
I can think of examples of each descriptor, and you probably can, too. Use your list to thank God for the myriad ways He displays the truth of Himself.
This nonverbal revelation includes our inner awareness of morality and of God’s existence. Read Romans 1:18-21, particularly verse 19, which says God makes Himself clear enough through things that are made, and verse 21, which says, “For although they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks to Him …” Bottom line: No one has a defense to deny the existence of God.
So much beauty surrounds us. November brings us a very bright moon and the changing season with many colors — brilliant sunsets, glorious sunrises and the faithfulness we experience. Day follows day, night turns into day, season follows season, just as God created it to be.
Our response to Him? We can thank Him and bring pleasure to God.
Psalm 19:14 says, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
The meaning of this verse is that we can be pleasing to God, not merely acceptable. It says, “May my thoughts be pleasing to You, God.” We have the capability to bring pleasure to God — to please Him.
Today, may our mouths voice words that honor the Lord. May our minds repeat words and thoughts that are acceptable to Him — that the plans we devise formulate ways to praise Him with thanksgiving, declarations of His holiness, His greatness and His great love for us.
Have a grateful November.
Until next week, Anita
Onarecker, an Elgin resident, author of “Divine Appointment: Our Journey to the Bridge” and minister to women and adults, earned a Master of Christian Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2007.
