November 24th, 2023
by John Kelley
by John Kelley
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18
That verse always sounds great, but how do we give thanks when the world is falling down around us? In 2007, I was called to do something that had always been in the back of my mind, I got to help plant a church. I partnered with a good friend to begin a new church work in Central KY, and I even got to name the church. I had just recorded my first worship album, and I was reconnecting with good friends that I hadn’t spent time with in years. Everything was looking up.
Unfortunately, that summer I got the news that I had hoped I would never hear. My father had cancer. He had lost a lot of weight over the last several months, and he was having trouble swallowing food. The man who had always been the rock of our family was mortal after all, and over the next two years, I had to watch his body deteriorate. He was only 57 when we found out. I thought I’d have another 20 years with my dad.
He passed away in November of 2009, and I can still remember one of the conversations we had. My father was a preacher, and I always leaned on him for wisdom when things were going sideways. He told me one day, “I hope you realize how good your life is.” I was a little confused, because he was in the final months of his life at this point, and he knew how much I was struggling. “You have a church you love, you’re getting to do the music you love, and you have a family that loves your more than you know.” All good points, but I was still struggling to see how “good” things are. “No matter what happens, you’re faith was never in me. I’m your earthly father. You need to lean into your Heavenly and true Father. I’ll be gone soon, but He will never leave you. You have been blessed with so much good. Don’t let me be the reason you aren’t thankful for all of God’s blessing in your life.”
When bad things happen, we tend to put all of our focus, and time, and energy into them. We dwell on how awful our lives are, but, if we’re willing to take a step back to look at what God is doing, it’s hard to not be thankful.
Thanksgiving was the first holiday that my family spent without Dad. My mother made sure that we all took time during the meal to name something that we’re thankful for, then tell a memory about Dad that we cherish. I’ve never been more thankful at Thanksgiving than I was that year. In spite of our loss, God was still good.
He’s still good to you, too!
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose…
…Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?…
…No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:28,35,37-39
Regardless of our tribulations or trials, God’s love is ever present. We can always be thankful knowing that we don’t go through our struggles alone. Our Heavenly Father is there with us the whole way.
What difficult times have you had to endure in your life? How did you handle it?
Take a moment to write down how God showed Himself to you in those difficult times.
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18
That verse always sounds great, but how do we give thanks when the world is falling down around us? In 2007, I was called to do something that had always been in the back of my mind, I got to help plant a church. I partnered with a good friend to begin a new church work in Central KY, and I even got to name the church. I had just recorded my first worship album, and I was reconnecting with good friends that I hadn’t spent time with in years. Everything was looking up.
Unfortunately, that summer I got the news that I had hoped I would never hear. My father had cancer. He had lost a lot of weight over the last several months, and he was having trouble swallowing food. The man who had always been the rock of our family was mortal after all, and over the next two years, I had to watch his body deteriorate. He was only 57 when we found out. I thought I’d have another 20 years with my dad.
He passed away in November of 2009, and I can still remember one of the conversations we had. My father was a preacher, and I always leaned on him for wisdom when things were going sideways. He told me one day, “I hope you realize how good your life is.” I was a little confused, because he was in the final months of his life at this point, and he knew how much I was struggling. “You have a church you love, you’re getting to do the music you love, and you have a family that loves your more than you know.” All good points, but I was still struggling to see how “good” things are. “No matter what happens, you’re faith was never in me. I’m your earthly father. You need to lean into your Heavenly and true Father. I’ll be gone soon, but He will never leave you. You have been blessed with so much good. Don’t let me be the reason you aren’t thankful for all of God’s blessing in your life.”
When bad things happen, we tend to put all of our focus, and time, and energy into them. We dwell on how awful our lives are, but, if we’re willing to take a step back to look at what God is doing, it’s hard to not be thankful.
Thanksgiving was the first holiday that my family spent without Dad. My mother made sure that we all took time during the meal to name something that we’re thankful for, then tell a memory about Dad that we cherish. I’ve never been more thankful at Thanksgiving than I was that year. In spite of our loss, God was still good.
He’s still good to you, too!
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose…
…Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?…
…No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:28,35,37-39
Regardless of our tribulations or trials, God’s love is ever present. We can always be thankful knowing that we don’t go through our struggles alone. Our Heavenly Father is there with us the whole way.
What difficult times have you had to endure in your life? How did you handle it?
Take a moment to write down how God showed Himself to you in those difficult times.
Recent
Archive
2024
January
What Is Prayer?AdorationConfessionThanksgivingSupplicationScripture Is The Word Of GodGod’s Word Guides UsGod’s Word Convicts UsGod’s Word Connects UsGod’s Word Encourages UsWhat Is Worship?Worship In Our WorkWorship In Our FamilySunday WorshipWorship Even When You Don't Want ToWhat is Fasting All About?Giving God Our Meal TimesEmptied of Ourselves and Filled with ChristFasting Develops FocusFood Is OverratedGod Is NOT In The FireJesus Sneaks OffWe Make Our Own Noise
February
We All Need SpaceGod Is Not Santa ClausWith Great Blessing Comes Great ResponsibilityCan Stewardship Be Scary?Filling the Need When We See ItIt's All His AnywayTime Is NOT On My SideWe Need Each OtherDevoted To The WordBreaking Bread TogetherGroup Conversations With GodFour Hands Are Better Than TwoLet’s Keep It SimpleOnly Take What You NeedSlow DownThe Great PurgeA Simple MessageGod’s Word Is A WeaponDo You Have A Game Plan?What You Remember Most Matters MostStart With the Basics
March
April
Sin Is RealDistraction Leads to Cover-UpWandering In DisobediencePride Comes Before the FallI Do What I HateThe Beauty of RedemptionRedemption Has A PriceWe Need To Claim Our PrizeYou Gotta Have FaithEven When You Look Like a Fool….God Will ProvideTrust the ProcessI Forgive YouGrace Is Free, But It Isn't CheapI Was Wrong, You Were RightThe Mob
May
June
July
No Comments