Week Forty-Eight, 2024
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Molded after the Pilgrim’s harvest festival in 1621, Thanksgiving has been celebrated every year since and now is a national holiday. It means different things to different people. For some a day off from work and for others a day of football and pleasure and for others a time with family.
For me, it is some of all of those, but most importantly it is a time to give thanks for my relationship with the Lord, who gave His life for me and because of my acceptance of Him, life eternal in the presence of God.
The Bible is replete with thankfulness. It is mentioned 73 times in the New Testament, 20 times in the Gospels. Once we begin counting our blessings, we often discover that we have a gracious plenty after all. It’s simply the change in perspective from dwelling on what we lack to focusing on what we have.
The faithful are called to give thanks to God for everything—and not only to be thankful, but to rejoice: “Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!” Psalm 95:2. Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever Psalm 106:1. I will praise God’s name in song and glorify Him with thanksgiving. Psalm 69:30
Gratitude is not merely a courteous acknowledgment of blessings; it is a profound recognition of the divine benevolence that permeates every aspect of our lives. For Christians, Thanksgiving Day is a chance to ask God for forgiveness for our sins, repent for our disobedience, and express gratitude for all He has given us.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for mankind, for He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Psalm 107:8-9 Let’s come before Him with thanks! Let’s shout songs of joy to Him. Psalm 95:2-3
Give thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks to the Holy One; give thanks, because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son. Give thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks to the Holy One; give thanks, because He’s given Jesus Christ, his Son.
May this be your song of thanks this Thanksgiving.
Sometimes True Stories
He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
– Micah 6:8 NIV
And what does the Lord require of you?
Act Justly… That is, to be honest; conforming to a standard of correctness; faithful to the original design.
Love Mercy… Forgiving; compassionate; withholding of the punishment that our sins deserve (Faithfulness – firm in adherence; utterly loyal).
Walk Humbly with God… To not think too highly of oneself; to bring low or prostrate; a show of submission; can imply meekness or gentleness.
Just as Micah shared this Word from the Lord to the people of Israel, this same message rings true today. Yet, we as a people, have seemingly forgotten what is required of us:
To act justly.
To love mercy.
To walk humbly with your God.
A statement for the ages…
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Pope Francis: “Doing an Abortion is Killing a Human Being”
Quotes You Can Use
Edgar Aponte:
God will do what He says He will do, when He says He will do it. Trust His promises and timing!
God’s promises will come to pass, but there will be conflict between the Spirit and the flesh.
Separate yourself from anything that threatens Christ in you, regardless of how painful it might be.
God gives common grace to all people, but only those who have the Son will have eternal life.
The best way to escape from a problem is to solve it. Alan Saporta
So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Ephesians 5:15-17
Let’s praise the One who lived and died and lived again so that we may have life and live it abundantly. Marty Stubblefield
Your past doesn’t define you. God can use anyone. David Jeremiah
Why is it that if you give your life for the service of your country you are called a hero, but if you give your life for the service of Christ, you are called a fool? Dan Shock
Time has a wonderful way of showing us what really matters. Margaret Peters
Most people don’t really want the truth. They just want constant reassurance that what they believe is the truth.
You’ll better enjoy your 20′, 30’s and 40’s. Because in your 50’s, that check engine light is going to come on. Snoopy
Conformity is doing what everyone else is doing regardless of what is right. Biblical obedience is doing what is right regardless of what everyone else is doing.
The world is obsessed with what offends people when they should be obsessed with what offends God.
Sometimes my greatest accomplishment is just keeping my mouth shut.
Tolerance is the last virtue of a depraved society. When you have an immoral society that has blatantly and proudly violated all of the commandments of God, there is one last virtue they insist upon: tolerance for their immorality. D. James Kennedy
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