Thanksgiving is here, which means creating meal plans that will leave you in a food coma and navigating family traditions. In the middle of the hustle, take a moment to rest in the Lord’s presence with a posture of gratitude. Consider these five thankful thoughts for this Thanksgiving season.

1. Gratitude is acknowledging our dependency is not on ourselves, but on the Lord and all He is for us.
2. He is before all things, in all things, and with us through all things.
3. He is the ultimate Forgiver.
4. He listens to us.
5. He loves us unconditionally.

Gratitude is acknowledging our dependency is not on ourselves, but on the Lord and all He is for us.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

It is by grace through faith that we are saved through faith, not by anything that we can do. It is a gift, freely given, by God. Gratitude is understanding and knowing that we can do nothing apart from the strength, forgiveness, and love of the Lord.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

He is before all things, in all things, and with us through all things.

“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:16-17).

Our gratitude is an outflow of knowing the Lord is before our sickness, changing of seasons, marriage, kids and school. He is in all things with us, never leaving our side. He is with us through everything we face, no matter what it may be. 

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
“There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:4-6).

He is the ultimate Forgiver.

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:18-19).

“To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him” (Daniel 9:9).

We know what it’s like to swallow our pride as we ask for forgiveness when we step out of line, so we should know to be thankful for the ultimate Forgiver who has forgiven us. Our gratitude is a direct result of the Lord’s forgiveness that we desperately need every day.

He listens to us.

“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him” (1 John 5:14-15).

When we are crying out alone in our cars, He hears us. When we are crying out in the middle of the night, He hears us. When we whisper under our breath midday, He hears us.

No matter where we are, He listens. No matter what sin we are covered in, He hears us. We can depend on the Lord to listen to us, and we can express our gratitude for Him.

“But I call to God, and the Lord will save me. Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice” (Psalm 55:16-17).

He loves us unconditionally.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:3-6).

The Lord chose us before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. There is no greater love than this–one that never changes its pace in our lives. It is one that we can rest in and thank Him for daily.

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23).

Gratitude requires shifting our gaze off of ourselves and onto the One who is worthy. When we see our brokenness in light of His Majesty, all we have to pour out is gratitude. Consider these five thankful thoughts during this thanksgiving season.

Idolatry: a word that some people may cringe at, want to run away from or simply do not understand the definition of. Running from this word only confirms the love of it and unwillingness to turn from it.

Anything that you love, fear, trust or serve more than God cultivates an idol and replaces God.

There are three underlying causes that drive our idolatry:

• Distrust of God
• Disobedience to God
• Distortion of God

Distrust of God

Have you ever struggled to trust God in His timing? Have you ever doubted that God would come through for you?

Distrust happens when God is not operating on our timeline.

God’s timing will never miss a beat in your life; He is always on time. Why? Because God exists beyond the realm of time, and time submits to Him. Why doubt God when time itself bows at the mention of His name?

The enemy will use your thoughts to try and convince you that God is anything but trustworthy and faithful. The delay of timing is not of God. God is faithful to move and provide according to His perfect Will.

The Israelites struggled to trust God’s timing. They were led out of Egypt by God through His prophet Moses. Moses retreated to a nearby mountain afterward, leaving the Israelites to themselves. They immediately doubted God’s timing. They cultivated idols to replace what they thought was God being absent in their present situation (Exodus 32:1-4).

When we place time restraints on God, we distrust God and allow idols to take root in our lives. We often make our requests known to Him with due dates in mind.

Waiting on God can be an opportunity for growth instead of an opportunity to see God as delayed. 

Disobedience to God

Disobedience results in straying and falling back into what was left behind. The Israelites formed a golden calf as an idol. It was an act of gaining control of the present situation.

Idols used to gain control are like scarecrows in a cucumber field– they do not do anything for you (Jeremiah 10:3-5). Disobedience is the desire for control, and the desire for control can become an idol in our lives.

Idols are a direct disobedience to God’s commandment, “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). We cannot serve both the world and God (Matthew 6:24).

Distortion of God

Distortion of God takes place when cultural standards try to put God in a box and decide what role He will play in life. Distorted views of God can creep into areas, such as any religion, relationship, regulation or rule, recreation, and reasoning. Even good things in our lives can become idols if we do not prioritize God’s Will. 

What area of your life is affected by a distorted view of God? Recount His faithfulness and Truth to change a distorted view to a truth-filled view of God.

What do you risk trusting more than Him? 

What do you risk fearing more than Him? 

What do you risk serving more than Him?

Identify the idols, and then remove the idols of your life. 

Ephesians 4:22 reminds us to put off what is not of God, and put on the new self, which is a new creation in Christ. Allow the Lord to renew “the spirit of your minds” daily (Ephesians 4:22-24). He will work in your life more than you can ever imagine.

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Want to dig deeper? Click here for a resource to walk you through searching your own heart and life for potential idols. As you become more aware of what you may be placing above God in your life, you can pray more specifically for surrender to the Lord in those areas.

When natural disasters strike—earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, or wildfires—it's common to hear them called "Acts of God." But how do we think about these events biblically? In Romans 8:18-28, the Apostle Paul offers insight into the nature of suffering and the hope that believers have amidst the storms of life. 

While this passage is not directly about weather events, these verses provide a theological framework for understanding all suffering, including natural disasters. There is clarity in scripture about storms and suffering. God has given us sufficient truth in His Word to understand this. 

The Source of All Storms (v. 19-22)

Paul begins by setting our present suffering in the context of eternity: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18). While these words offer comfort, they also point us toward an important truth about the nature of storms and suffering—they were never part of God’s original plan for creation.

In verses 19-22, Paul explains that creation itself was subjected to futility because of sin. Before the Fall, the world was in perfect harmony, free from destruction, disease, and death. Earthquakes, wildfires, hurricanes, and tornadoes are not "natural" disasters at all; rather, they are UNnatural. They are the groans of a broken world, bending under the weight of a sin-sick, fallen world. 

Creation itself is longing for redemption, just as we are. These storms–both literal and figurative–are a result of living in a fallen world, not because God delights in destruction.

But there is hope! This is not how God intended for things to be. Sin may have corrupted creation, but God sent His Son Jesus to redeem us and set things right. Storms are temporary. The Bible speaks of a new heaven and a new earth, which will be free from storms, destruction and sin.

The Source of Our Sorrow (v. 23)

Verse 23 shifts the focus from creation’s groaning to our own. "We ourselves...groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies." Believers experience a sorrow deep in our souls, because we know that things are not as they should be. Even those who don’t know Christ have an innate sense that something is wrong with the world, for they, too, were made in the image of God.

It's okay to feel sorrow and to empathize with the pain around us. Whether we are dealing with personal tragedies, societal suffering, or global disasters, the sorrow we feel is part of living in a sin-sick world that is waiting to be made new. But this sorrow, as Paul reminds us, is temporary.

The Source of Our Strength (v. 24-28)

How do we find strength in the midst of the storm? Paul points us to three key sources of hope in Romans 8:24-28:

1. The Promise of God (v. 24): Biblical hope is not in what can be seen, but the assurance of things we have not yet fully seen. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” We live with the certainty that God will keep His promises as He always does. The storms we face now, whether literal or figurative, will one day give way to an eternity free from pain and suffering.
2. The Presence of God (v. 25-27): We are never alone in the storm. Paul writes that the Spirit intercedes for us in our weakness. When we don’t know what to pray, the Spirit prays for us with groanings too deep for words. The Holy Spirit is our constant companion, guiding and comforting us even in the darkest moments.
3. The Purposes of God (v. 28): "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." This is not karma. It’s not that good things happen to good people or that bad things happen as punishment. Instead, it means that God is sovereignly working through all circumstances for His glory and our ultimate good. God receives glory and honor when we reflect Him in our circumstances—all circumstances, good or bad. This reflects His Glory to a lost and dying world.

How Does God Use Storms?

Throughout scripture, we see that God often uses storms and disasters to accomplish His purposes. Consider these three ways that God uses storms:

1. To Display His Power: Psalm 29:3-10 describes the voice of the Lord thundering over the waters and breaking the cedars. Storms remind us of God's immense power and might. Even nature is under His control.
2. To Bring Judgment: While it’s important not to jump to conclusions about specific storms being divine punishment, scripture does show that God sometimes uses disasters as judgment. The flood in Noah’s time is a prime example (Genesis 6-9). However, we must be cautious when applying this idea to current events. Ultimately, all storms are part of the general judgment of sin, but not necessarily specific to particular groups or individuals.
3. To Bring Repentance and Grow Faith: It’s easy to praise God on the mountaintop, but what about in the valley? God uses storms to prune away our sinful desires and selfishness and grow our faith in Him. In the story of Jonah, a storm leads the prophet to repentance and obedience. In Mark 4:37-41, Jesus calms the storm and grows the disciples' faith. Storms can redirect our focus to God and remind us that He is in control.

Focus on the Savior, Not the Storm

In Mark 4, when the disciples were terrified in the storm, Jesus rebuked them for their lack of faith. Their fear was misplaced; they were focused on the power of the storm instead of the power of their Savior. We, too, must remember to focus on Christ, not the storm. He is sovereign over all things, and no storm—whether a natural disaster or personal crisis—can separate us from His love.

So, how do we respond to the storms of life? We trust in the promise, presence, and purposes of God. While the world around us groans under the weight of sin, we look forward to the day when God will make all things new. Until then, we endure the storms, knowing that the temporary afflictions of this world are nothing compared to the glory that is to come.

Before, during and even in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, God is with you. In the heartache, loneliness, struggle, worry of the unknown, He is with you. Remember and rest in the power and provision of your Creator.

Joshua 1:9 says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

This World is Not our Home

Pastor D.J. reminded us a year ago during our 2023 “Plagued by Pride” sermon series that this world is not our home, and we are not of this world. 

Jesus proclaims in John 8 that He is not of this world, and as His followers who will inherit His Kingdom one day, we fall under that same category (John 8:23). A follower of Christ who believes that will have deeply rooted peace. 

We are citizens of Heaven living set apart from the world. As citizens of Heaven, we follow what God would have us do: be there for our families, run our businesses and love our neighbor. All with an eternal perspective and hope that this world is not our home.

In Exodus, Moses is told by God to warn the Israelites to spread the blood of a sacrificial lamb on their door frames, and God would pass over them (Exodus 12:21-23). “God was not just thinking about midnight in Egypt. He’s thinking about Calvary.”

God’s sovereignty cannot be forgotten in the midst of our trials. He was faithful to send His Son for our salvation; He is faithful in our lives now; and He will be faithful to be with us moving forward. Rest in the peace and comfort that can bring you.

What is our Trust Rooted in?

We know this world is not our home, but it does not negate our heavy hearts. In this hardship, we will feel loss: a loss of what was comfortable and what we knew to be stable in our lives. Take your electricity, for example. Many of us may have recognized that life is dependent on electricity, especially at home. Did you find yourself struggling without the stability and security of having power? The reality is that yes, most of us did.

In his sermon “Faith Worth Testing” in February 2024, Pastor D.J. said, “Let the electrical grid of this nation fail for a few hours and you’ll watch society completely break down, which means that any sense of security we think we have is just that. It’s a false sense of security.” 

Think about the reality of this false sense of security after Hurricane Helene. Our false sense of security is exposed.

The question, then, is what is your trust truly rooted in? In the security of what’s around you? Do you trust God with what you love most? Do you want to settle in your comfort and try to partially trust God? If all falls apart, are you falling with it? It’s worth considering and examining in our lives.

1 Peter 1:6-7 says, “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith–more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire–may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

If you are walking through the aftermath of Helene with a heavy heart, saddened by the results, or grieving what you lost, you are not alone. God’s Truth in Psalm 23:4 is a great comfort in hardships such as these. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

God values our faith so much that there is value in testing it. When it comes to our health, we value taking care of it and we will run tests to check on its status. In the same way, we are given opportunities to sit with the Lord and ask Him to examine our hearts and our faith in Him. 

The Israelites praised and worshiped the Lord directly after His provision in their lives. Yet not three days later, they complained to God why He had not provided water. How quick are we to praise God but then turn around just as quickly to shake our fist at Him? Let us remember God’s faithfulness to meet our emotional, spiritual and physical needs within His Will.

God is faithful in all His words and faithful in all His works (Psalm 145:13). God is righteous and sovereign to hear the prayers of His children. 

As you navigate through the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, remember your Creator. Remember how we are not of this world, and examine what your trust may be rooted in. 

Consider joining us in prayer for those who were greatly impacted by Hurricane Helene:

• Those in Western North Carolina.
• Those who lost loved ones.
• Those who have loved ones missing from the floods in WNC.
• Those who lost their homes.
• Everyone impacted by Hurricane Helene in the Upstate.
• The linemen deployed to restore power.

We all have the potential to sin sexually, and any man or any woman who says, “I have never,  I will never, and I could never” is setting his or herself up for the prerequisite sin that precedes all sins, including the sin of adultery - pride. So, instead of assuming our marriages could never possibly face any issues with unfaithfulness, we would be wise to ask the Lord how we can take preemptive steps to safeguard against infidelity.

A good place to begin is with one of the best, most concise words on this subject in all of the New Testament - Hebrews 13:4: “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.”

Let’s break down this simple but powerful verse.

First, we read that honor is for all.

Notice that the author does not direct his command to husbands, wives, fiancés, or pastors, but says that all should treat marriage with honor. The word all includes the married and the unmarried, the widow and the widower, the recently divorced, and the teenager not ready for marriage. This is a corporate call for all of God’s people to honor marriage—meaning they should esteem, respect, and hold it up in high regard.

Next, we see that intimacy is for one.

The writer shifts focus from the corporate idea of all people honoring marriage to the individual, and he instructs that we are to let our marriage bed be undefiled. Husbands and wives must stay faithful to one another physically, emotionally, and sexually.

This truth shows up throughout Scripture. In the Old Testament, God prohibited adultery when He gave the Ten Commandments, saying, “You shall not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14). Jesus takes this topic a step further when delivering the Sermon on the Mount. He knew that there were people twisting the law to make it solely about the rules and regulations and not about a change of heart. Therefore, Jesus establishes His righteous standard: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28). God declares that He defines righteousness as 100 percent pure devotion to our spouse.

To ensure this devotion, what can we do to guard our hearts, minds, and bodies against infidelity?

We must pursue our Savior. The greatest thing we can ever do personally to ensure that we do not commit adultery is not to fear adultery, but to pursue Christ and grow in our faith. It is just more difficult to sin when we are seeking and pursuing Him.

We must pound our sin. Biblically, strong Christians are not strong because they are sinless. They possess strength and maturity because they deal with sin quickly and at its origin, not allowing it to take root in their heart.

We must protect our space. I like this simple little formula. Healthy restrictions plus healthy relationships equal a holy life. Boundaries truly are vital when pursuing pure devotion to our spouse. Listed here are several I have set up in my own life as a husband, father, and pastor:

• I am never alone behind closed doors with a woman besides my mother, wife, or daughter.
• I do not ride in a vehicle or appear in social settings alone with a woman besides my mother, wife, or daughter.
• I do not enter long-term counseling relationships with women. The women in my life deserve loving long-term care in certain situations. Thankfully God has raised up other incredibly gifted women or couples to come alongside them.
• I do not enter extended conversations or counsel with a woman via texting or any digital means.
• I have software on my phone that allows several people to access my social media accounts and an accountability partner to see all of my web browsing activity.

We must pursue our spouse (or purity, if single). Men, infidelity is typically a lustful act. Whatever a man dwells on is what he wants. When you dwell on your wife, you begin to want her again. When you celebrate her, all of a sudden she becomes attractive. Ladies, the same goes for you, though your desire is often not as physical as it is emotional. If you find your heart being lured away by the attention of another man, check the attention and affection you are giving to your husband.

Intentionally doing these things helps us create an environment in which the marriage bed remains undefiled. This matters because adultery is a sin, God’s judgment is real, and the fallout of adultery is far-reaching.

Christians must understand that when they commit adultery, they do not only sin against their spouse. Instead, they...

1. Sin against God.
2. Sin against themselves.
3. Sin against their spouse.
4. Sin against the people involved.
5. Destroy their witness.

There is no way around it. Cheating leads to condemnation because of God’s standard. But, thankfully, repentance leads to restoration because of God’s Savior.

What do you need to do today? Do you need to repent? Do you need to refocus? I promise you God’s grace is sufficient, and He is able to take what is broken and make it beautiful. 

This post originally appeared on Pastor D.J.'s website. To see the original post, click here.

Wisdom from Psalm 34

It’s often easy to praise God when we’re on the mountaintops of life. We all know well, however, that life is full of ups and downs, and we aren’t guaranteed only happy and prosperous times. 

When life feels like it's falling apart, it can be overwhelming and disheartening. Nothing about this surprises an all-knowing God. The God of the Bible provided us with scripture to navigate the hard times. If you find yourself in the valley, Psalm 34 provides wisdom for pressing on. 

Worship the Lord (Psalm 34:1-3)

In times of trouble, our first response should be to worship the Lord. That may be the opposite of what you feel like doing. David, the author of this psalm, declares, "I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth." We should worship the Lord at ALL times–good and bad. 

Worship shifts our focus from our problems to God's power and goodness. When we pour the truth of scripture into our lives, it helps us overcome the lies Satan tries to feed us. This truth becomes louder than the enemy's lies, especially in difficult times.

Corporate worship is one way to worship through the hard times. Worshiping together with other believers can lift our spirits and remind us that we are not alone. The joy of other believers can speak to our souls, even when our hearts are breaking. It encourages us when we may not feel like worshiping on our own.

Seek the Lord (Psalm 34:4-10)

David reminds us that we can call on the Lord, and the Lord will hear and answer our prayers. Turning to the One who gave us life can bring comfort and strength. David, who was brave enough to battle a giant, openly admits his fears. Verse 4 declares that, "He delivered me from all my fears." Even the bravest among us have fears, but the Lord can deliver us and give us courage.

Verse 5 declares that those who look to the Lord are radiant and appear unashamed. When we cry out to Him, He saves us from our troubles. We cannot claim to know everything God does for us, but we can know that He is for us. God's intervention often includes unseen protection, like in verse 7. 

Verse 8 invites us to "taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him." Seeking the Lord ensures we lack no good thing.

Fear the Lord (Psalm 34:9-16)

Fearing the Lord means having a reverence and awe for Him. Proverbs 9:10 tells us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Understanding who God is and who we are in relation to Him brings clarity and safety. Those who fear the Lord desire good (v. 12), speak truth (v. 13), pursue peace (v. 14), pray passionately (v. 15), and trust Him (v. 15-16). 

Trusting in God and thinking biblically helps us reject the enemy's lies. Jesus's righteousness is imparted to us upon salvation, and the devil's accusations hold no weight. The enemy wants us to doubt and run from God, but God wants us to lean into Him. 

Take Refuge in the Lord (Psalm 34:8, 17-22)

Verse 8 says, "Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.” The Lord is our shelter, shield, and redeemer. He is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit (v. 18). Verse 22 completes the thought by saying, “none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned."  

Life's afflictions come, even for the righteous, but the Lord delivers us from all with His divine presence. Living for Christ isn't about escaping difficulties but about finding refuge in God amidst them.

Once we’ve experienced God’s goodness in the midst of life’s chaos, we can assure others that they, too,  can “taste and see that the Lord is good.” No matter how bleak things may seem, turning to the Lord in worship, seeking Him earnestly, fearing Him rightly, and taking refuge in Him provides a sturdy framework for when life feels like it's falling apart.