Nov

25

A word of thanks…

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With the Thanksgiving holiday upon us, we, as a nation, celebrate all that is important to us. While gathered around the table with family and friends to feast on food and fellowship, let’s take time to remember the ones who are suffering for their beliefs and pray God would abundantly bless them with his power and presence in their midst.

When we stop to think about all that we’ve been blessed with as believers, the list should begin and end with Christ. Having Jesus as our Lord and Savior is our fruitful bounty. Everything else is a side dish. For the Lord is our everything, and all that we have stems through his love and mercy—his grace to us.

With thanksgiving in their hearts, the early settlers gave praise and honor to the Lord for many things…most notably, a liberal harvest. William Bradford wrote:

“…And afterwards the Lord sent them such seasonable showers, with interchange of fair, warm weather as, through His blessing, caused a fruitful and liberal harvest, to their no small comfort and rejoicing. For which mercy, in time convenient, they also set apart a day of thanksgiving… By this time harvest was come, and instead of famine, now God gave them plenty … for which they blessed God.” 

Have a lovely Thanksgiving Holiday!

 

Nov

18

A story of greatness

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In ancient days, the passing down of stories and teaching about God were ordinances to be practiced faithfully. The oral traditions of the early Hebrews were something to keep their past alive. Adding to the tradition, acts of worship and praise were adopted through songs that preserved the tradition of both God and family. Through them, each generation kept the past ever-so-present to remind their families of the Lord’s protection and how far he took them to overcome their days of slavery and suffering.

As with anything great or special, we tend to want to promote it. If there’s anything noble or worthy of bragging about, it would be the Lord, Jesus Christ himself—the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, who dethroned himself to become one with man for a time of 33 years and then died a gruesome death, so that man may have a bridge to the father once again.

That kind of love is worthy to be shouted from the mountains and rooftops. The honor that he deserves is beyond a mere nod of observance; it should be the first thing we think of upon arising and remain a steady, persistent thought all throughout the days of our lives.

May the spirit of the living God thrive in our hearts forever…until he comes again. Maranatha!

Nov

10

Veterans’ Day Thanks

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This Veteran’s Day, we salute the courageous men and women who fought to preserve our nation and its sovereignty. America is fortunate to have a unique position in the world through the sacrifice of so many patriots who’ve bled and died defending America’s liberty. One nation, under God, indivisible…

There’s another who gave up his life sacrificially and shed his blood for our liberty. Jesus committed the highest act of sacrificial love for not just America but for the world. He came to earth from his heavenly home to bridge the gap between his father and sinful man. His battlefield was the cross, and he died there to pay the high cost of our sins in order that we may have freedom and liberty in Him forever.

The land of the free and home of the brave is the only one of its kind and was established first and foremost on the principle that only God holds the reins of power. This nation was established to be under God always.

Thank you, Vets, for your strength and bravery. Thank you, Lord, for your selflessness in battling the war we could never fight alone. To God be the glory.

Nov

03

Gratitude is the best attitude

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Thanks. A simple one-syllable word. It comes in handy when someone does something pleasing and when credit is due. It’s not hard to say, and while only a word, it’s meaning encompasses so much. When we thank people, we’re expressing not only our appreciation but also our heart’s gratitude.

If there’s one entity in the world that deserves our utmost thanks, appreciation, and gratitude, it’s our blessed Creator. When things go swimmingly for us, of course, it’s easy to express thanksgiving. When God chastens or chastises us or allows something to occur that is not of our choice, the thanking may grow quiet.

Some would say they cannot thank God for the storms in their lives. However, if God allows “all things to work together for good to those who love him…”, then he is there in the midst of the storm and allowing it for a purpose. Out of love for us, God works in ways that are beyond our comprehension. We thank him for being in control of the storm and for sustaining us while in it.

There have been scientific studies, including one from Harvard, indicating that giving thanks and having gratitude lends positively to human lives. As Christians, we already know this. Giving thanks is rewarding not only to the recipient but also to the giver.

Oct

28

Lead me…

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King David had it right when he sought the Lord at the hand of his enemies. The wicked wanted him killed, and by the grace of God, he was brought to safety. That’s the way it is for all of God’s people; we are the devil’s prey.

So many evil plans are tied up and convoluted. Like a spider’s web, the tangle becomes so twisted the deeper the lie, as in the old saying, “Oh, the tangled web we weave when at first we practice to deceive.” As for David, he asked the Lord to show him the straight path—the plain one. There’s only one true way to go and that is upon the straight and narrow road where the Lord is our guide.

The wicked will always seek to turn us away from the way we are to go. Like David, we may find ourselves asking the Lord for help and guidance, particularly if we’ve strayed from the path. There’s one way back, and God is sure to be there to take us by the hand and lead us, once more, to safety. With a repentant heart and a humility to understand that God’s ways are higher than ours, our paths will remain straight and will not turn toward evil as we yield to the Lord.