Isaiah 40:8 "The grass withers and the flowers fall,
but THE WORD OF OUR GOD ENDURES FOREVER.”
The BIBLE is:
LIGHT -- Psalm 119:105,
FIRE -- Jeremiah 23:29,
SEED -- Luke 8:11,
BREAD -- Dueteronomy 8:3,
MILK -- 1 Peter 2:2,
HONEY -- Psalms 19:7,
MEAT -- Hebrews 5:14,
GOLD -- Psalm 19:10,
SWORD -- Hebrews 4:12,
HAMMER -- Jeremiah 23:29,
The Lord has made everything for its own purpose, Even the wicked [according to their role] for the day of evil. Proverbs 16:4
God made the earth by His power; He established the world by His wisdom And by His understanding and skill He has stretched out the heavens. Jeremiah 10:12
“Stand up and bless (praise, honor) the Lord your God from everlasting to everlasting. May Your glorious name be blessed And exalted above all blessing and praise.” Nehemiah 9:5
How blessed and graciously favored is he whose help is the God of Jacob (Israel), Whose hope is in the Lord his God, Who made heaven and earth, The sea, and all that is in them, Who keeps truth and is faithful forever, Who executes justice for the oppressed, Who gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets free the prisoners. Psalms 146:5-7
Yet, O Lord, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our Potter, And we all are the work of Your hand. Isaiah 64:8
O Lord, our Lord, How majestic and glorious and excellent is Your name in all the earth! Psalms 8:9
How great is Your goodness, Which You have stored up for those who [reverently] fear You, Which You have prepared for those who take refuge in You, Before the sons of man! Psalms 31:19
For this is God, Our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even until death. Psalms 48:14
WORRY IS: INTEREST PAID ON TROUBLE BEFORE IT IS DUE.
Draw Near - Kristian Stanfill, Passion 2015 (Worship Song with Lyrics)
Things to Avoid James 4:1 What leads to [the unending] quarrels and conflicts among you? Do they not come from your [hedonistic] desires that wage war in your [bodily] members [fighting for control over you]? 2 You are jealous and covet [what others have] and your lust goes unfulfilled; so you murder. You are envious and cannot obtain [the object of your envy]; so you fight and battle. You do not have because you do not ask [it of God]. 3 You ask [God for something] and do not receive it, because you ask with wrong motives [out of selfishness or with an unrighteous agenda], so that [when you get what you want] you may spend it on your [hedonistic] desires. 4 You adulteresses [disloyal sinners—flirting with the world and breaking your vow to God]! Do you not know that being the world’s friend [that is, loving the things of the world] is being God’s enemy? So whoever chooses to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think that the Scripture says to no purpose that the [human] spirit which He has made to dwell in us lusts with envy? 6 But He gives us more and more grace [through the power of the Holy Spirit to defy sin and live an obedient life that reflects both our faith and our gratitude for our salvation]. Therefore, it says, “God is opposed to the proud and haughty, but [continually] gives [the gift of] grace to the humble [who turn away from self-righteousness].” 7 So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God [with a contrite heart] and He will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; and purify your [unfaithful] hearts, you double-minded [people]. 9 Be miserable and grieve and weep [over your sin]. Let your [foolish] laughter be turned to mourning and your [reckless] joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves [with an attitude of repentance and insignificance] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up, He will give you purpose].
11 Believers, do not speak against or slander one another. He who speaks [self-righteously] against a brother or judges his brother [hypocritically], speaks against the Law and judges the Law. If you judge the Law, you are not a doer of the Law but a judge of it. 12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy [the one God who has the absolute power of life and death]; but who are you to [hypocritically or self-righteously] pass judgment on your neighbor?
13 Come now [and pay attention to this], you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and carry on our business and make a profit.” 14 Yet you do not know [the least thing] about what may happen in your life tomorrow. [What is secure in your life?] You are merely a vapor [like a puff of smoke or a wisp of steam from a cooking pot] that is visible for a little while and then vanishes [into thin air]. 15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and we will do this or that.” 16 But as it is, you boast [vainly] in your pretension and arrogance. All such boasting is evil. 17 So any person who knows what is right to do but does not do it, to him it is sin.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Disclosure: Much of what is in my posts are things I have compiled through the years and I do not know if they have copyrights. What I do know about origin or website I give credit and have tried to always post a link to the origin. I do not market anything in any way on this blog -- I merely hope it will encourage and inspire others. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
God the Refuge of His People.
Psalm 46 1 God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change
And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and foam,
Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah.
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
The holy dwelling places of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
6 The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered;
He raised His voice, the earth melted.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,
Who has wrought desolations in the earth.
9 He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariots with fire.
10 “CEASE STRIVING AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD;
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Disclosure: Much of what is in my posts are things I have compiled through the years and I do not know if they have copyrights. What I do know about origin or website I give credit and have tried to always post a link to the origin. I do not market anything in any way on this blog -- I merely hope it will encourage and inspire others. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear for I am with you. Do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and NOT to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future."
Psalm 27:5 For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe in His dwelling. He will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tend and set me high upon a rock.
Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.
Psalm 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield, my heart trusts in Him and He helps me.
Romans 12:12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble and keep on praying.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
Exodus 33:14 The Lord replied, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."
Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you, when you walk through the fire you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
Deuteronomy 31:8 Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.
Fill My Cup Lord
When I am tired and weary
And I have lost my zeal,
Fill my cup Lord;
For I long to do thy will.
When I get discouraged,
And my spirit needs to be renewed,
Fill my cup Lord
So my soul may be rescued.
When I am tempted by
Satan and one of his schemes,
Fill my cup Lord;
So that I may see your
Light as it brightly beams.
When sickness and sorrow
Comes my way,
Fill my cup Lord
For, I know that you're in control
And they'll not forever stay.
Now, when I've resisted any
Temptations to do wrong,
You've filled my cup Lord!
For, you abide in me and I in you;
You've made me strong!
"I’ll call nobodies and make them somebodies;
I’ll call the unloved and make them beloved.
In the place where they yelled out, “You’re nobody!”
they’re calling you “God’s living children.
Romans 9:25
"If each grain of sand on the seashore were numbered
and the sum labeled “chosen of God,”
They’d be numbers still, not names;
salvation comes by personal selection.
God doesn’t count us; he calls us by name.
Arithmetic is not his focus."
Romans 9:27
Bill & Gloria Gaither - Surely Our God Is Able [Live]
"For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."
Disclosure: Much of what is in my posts are things I have compiled through the years and I do not know if they have copyrights. What I do know about origin or website I give credit and have tried to always post a link to the origin. I do not market anything in any way on this blog -- I merely hope it will encourage and inspire others.
1: [Noun] A high degree of pleasure, or satisfaction of mind; joy. His delight is in the law of the Lord. Ps. 1..
2: [Noun] That which gives great pleasure; that which affords delight. Titus was the delight of human kind. I was daily his delight. Prov. 8. Delight is a more permanent pleasure than joy, and not dependent on sudden excitement..
3: [Verb] To affect with great pleasure; to please highly; to give or afford high satisfaction or joy; as, a beautiful landscape delights the eye; harmony delights the ear; the good conduct of children, and especially their piety, delights their parents. I will delight myself in thy statutes. Ps. 119..
4: [Verb] To receive great pleasure in. I delight to do thy will. Ps. 40:8..
5: [Verb] To have or take great pleasure; to be greatly pleased or rejoiced; followed by in. I delight in the law of God after the inward man. Rom. 7..
The LORD your God will delight in you if you obey his voice and keep the commands and decrees written in this Book of Instruction, and if you turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and soul.
“Keep the Sabbath day holy. Don’t pursue your own interests on that day, but enjoy the Sabbath and speak of it with delight as the LORD’s holy day. Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day, and don’t follow your own desires or talk idly.
Then the LORD will be your delight. I will give you great honor and satisfy you with the inheritance I promised to your ancestor Jacob. I, the LORD, have spoken!”
Never again will you be called “The Forsaken City” or “The Desolate Land.” Your new name will be “The City of God’s Delight” and “The Bride of God,” for the LORD delights in you and will claim you as his bride.
But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the LORD who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the LORD, have spoken!
Where is another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of his special people? You will not stay angry with your people forever, because you delight in showing unfailing love.
For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”
Delight The idea of delight occurs approximately 110 times in Scripture in various forms. Less than fifteen occurrences are found in the New Testament. The related concept of "please" occurs about 350 times, about seventy-five of these occurrences in the New Testament. The Old Testament. Two of the most common Hebrew terms for delight are hepes [,pej], "to bend towards, to be inclined towards [an object or person], " and rasa [h'x'r], "to delight or take pleasure in."
God delights in the obedience of his children more than in sacrifices ( 1 Sam 15:22 ). Obedience to his commands so pleases God that he will prosper his people as they walk in his way ( Num 14:8 ; Deut 30:9 ). God delights in his people ( Psalm 16:3 ).
God is also delighted with honesty in business ( Prov 20:23 ), a blameless life (11:20), truthfulness (12:22), and the prayers of the upright (15:8). God gives wisdom, knowledge, and happiness to those who please him ( Eccl 2:26 ), and he promises to deliver those in whom he delights ( Psalm 18:19 ). God delights in showing mercy ( Mic 7:18 ), and kindness, justice, and righteousness bring him pleasure and cause him delight ( Jer 9:23 ).
God placed Solomon on the throne of Israel because he delighted in him ( 1 Kings 10:9 ; 2 Chron 9:8 ). God had special delight in his Servant-Messiah, upon whom he put his Spirit ( Isa 42:1 ).
A man might delight in another man ( 1 Sam 18:22 ; Est 6:6-11 ), or a man might delight in a woman ( Gen 34:19 ). Well-behaved children bring delight to the heart of their parents ( Prov 29:17 ).
People are encouraged to delight in that which pleases Godhis law ( Psalm 1:2 ; 112:1-9 ). God's statutes are to be our continual delight ( Psalms 119:24Psalms 119:70Psalms 119:77Psalms 119:174 ). We are to delight in God's law because we love it ( Psalm 119:41-48 ). We are to rejoice in the Lord and delight in his salvation ( Psalm 35:9 ), for in so doing we will receive the desires of our hearts ( Psalm 37:4 ).
It is possible for people to delight in or take pleasure in that which is foolish or evil. Some people "delight in doing wrong" ( Prov 2:14 ), in voicing their own opinions (18:2), in lying ( Psalm 62:4 ), and in waging war ( Psalm 68:30 ). It is clear that the object of our delight or pleasure is critical. It is possible to delight in those things that are good and proper; it is also possible to delight in that which is an abomination to the Lord ( Isa 66:3 ). The New Testament. The Greek word most commonly used for "delight" is eudokeo [eujdokevw], usually used when God's purpose, resolve, and choice are in view.
God points out his delight in his Son at both the baptism and transfiguration of Jesus ( Matt 3:17 ; 17:5 ). This pleasure points to a distinct anointing and blessing that rest upon Jesus. Indeed, "God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him" ( Col 1:19 ). God's peace rests upon those in whom he delights ( Luke 2:14 ), and God works in those destined for salvation according to his good pleasure ( Php 2:13 ). God is not pleased, however, with the disobedient and unbelieving ( 1 Cor 10:5 ).
As our supreme example, Jesus took great pleasure in honoring and obeying his father ( John 5:30 ; 8:29 ). That which delights Jesus should be our delight as well. We should make it our all-consuming desire to please him ( 2 Col 5:9 ; 1 Thess 2:4 ; 4:1 ; 1 John 3:22 ).
We are to delight after God's law in the "inner man" ( Rom 7:22 ). We are to delight in our weakness, for this is when God's power is most clearly revealed in our lives ( 2 Cor 12:10 ). We should not, on the other hand, delight in false humility or religion ( Col 2:18 ). Our desire should be directed toward the salvation of souls ( Rom 10:1 ). Faith is essential if we are to please God ( Heb 11:6 ), and God is especially delighted when we pray to those in authority ( 1 Tim 2:3 ). In the essential relationships of life, God is pleased when wives submit to their husbands, husbands love their wives, children obey their parents, parents encourage their children, slaves obey their masters, and masters treat their slaves kindly ( Col 3:18-4:1 ). It is as living, holy sacrifices that we become pleasing to our Father in heaven ( Rom 12:1 ).
Daniel L. Aiken
Bibliography. M. Unger and W. White, Nelson's Expository Dictionary of the Old Testament; W. E. Vine, Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words; W. Wilson, Old Testament Studies.
DELIGHT de-lit' (verb, chaphets, ratsah, sha`a`; sunedomai): "To delight" is most frequently expressed by chaphets, which means originally "to bend" (compare Job 40:17, "He moveth his tail"), hence, "to incline to," "take pleasure in." It is used of God's pleasure in His people (Numbers 14:8; 2 Samuel 22:20; Psalms 18:19, etc.), and in righteousness, etc. (Isaiah 66:4; Jeremiah 9:24; Micah 7:18, etc.), also of man's delight in God and His will (Psalms 40:8; 73:25; the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American), "There is none upon earth that I desire besides thee"), and in other objects (Genesis 34:19; 1 Samuel 18:22; Esther 2:14; Isaiah 66:3); sha`a`, "to stroke," "caress," "be fond of," occurs in Psalms 94:19, "Thy comforts delight my soul"; Psalms 119:16,47,70, "I will delight myself in thy statutes." Similarly, Paul says (Romans 7:22), "I delight (sunedomai) in (margin, the Revised Version (British and American) "Greek with") the law of God after the inward man." This is the only occurrence of the word in the New Testament. "To delight one's self" (in the Lord) is represented chiefly by `anagh (Job 22:26; 27:10; Psalms 37:4,11; Isaiah 58:14). Delight (noun), chiefly chephets (1 Samuel 15:22; Psalms 1:2; 16:3), ratson (Proverbs 11:1,20; 12,22; 15:8), sha`ashu`im (Psalms 119:24,77,92,143,174; Proverbs 8:30,31). the Revised Version (British and American) has "delight" for "desire" (Nehemiah 1:11; Psalms 22:8; 51:16), for "observe," different reading (Proverbs 23:26), "no delight in" for "smell in" (Amos 5:21), "delightest in me" for "favorest me" (Psalms 41:11), "his delight shall be in" (m "Hebrew `scent' ") for "of quick understanding" (Isaiah 11:3). The element of joy, of delight in God and His law and will, in the Hebrew religion is noteworthy as being something which we are apt to fall beneath even in the clearer light of Christianity. W. L. Walker
flexibility: the quality of bending easily without breaking adaptability · adjustability · variability · versatility Lord grant me this quality called flexibility-- new and fresh every morning is my prayer -- then give me spiritual eyes and ears to see and hear the blessings you send my way -- and the open my heart, mind, and soul to rejoice boldly as I praise your miracle of never-ending new creations moment by moment day by day! Amen.
THANKS-GIVING “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it
is like wrapping a present
and not giving it.”
“Two things I ask of you, Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God. Proverbs 30: 7-9
THANKSGIVING WAS FIRST OBSERVED BY ISRAEL Israel celebrated Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread and the Feast of the Firstfruits within a week’s period of time. They gave thanks to the Lord God for their freedom and bounty at the same time. The priest offered bulls, rams, and lambs for the nation on the first day of the celebration. Leviticus 23: 7-8 7 On the first day you shall have a holy convocation; you shall not do any laborious work. 8 But for seven days you shall present an offering by fire to the Lord. On the seventh day is a holy convocation; you shall not do any laborious work.’” On the second day, a sheaf of the first ripe barley was offered as the first fruit of the harvest. Leviticus 23:9-11 9 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 10 “Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘When you enter the land which I am going to give to you and reap its harvest, then you shall bring in the sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest. 11 He shall wave the sheaf before the Lord for you to be accepted; on the day after the sabbath the priest shall wave it.
General Thanksgiving
By the PRESIDENT of the United States Of America
A PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLICK THANKSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"
NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and assign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed;-- for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish Constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted;-- for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge;-- and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions;-- to enable us all, whether in publick or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us); and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.
GIVEN under my hand, at the city of New-York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.
(signed) G. Washington
Source: The Massachusetts Centinel, Wednesday, October 14, 1789
Thanksgiving means simply to give thanks, or be grateful.
It means to express appreciation.
Every language has a term which means thank you.
The histories of Israel and America have much in common.
Israel was in bondage in Egypt.
They escaped, wandered in the wilderness and finally settled in the Promise Land.
In the 17th century, a group of Protestants could no longer tolerate the religious tyranny of England.
They made a long ocean voyage, endured a harsh winter and finally reaped a bountiful harvest on the shores of the American continent.
Like that first group of Pilgrims, we annually set aside a time of remembrance and thanksgiving.
Psalm 103
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits;
3 Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases;
4 Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
5 Who satisfies your years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.
6 The Lord performs righteous deeds
And judgments for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known His ways to Moses,
His acts to the sons of Israel.
8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.
9 He will not always strive with us,
Nor will He keep His anger forever.
10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.
12 As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13 Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.
14 For He Himself knows our frame;
He is mindful that we are but dust.
15 As for man, his days are like grass;
As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
16 When the wind has passed over it, it is no more,
And its place acknowledges it no longer.
17 But the lovingkindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him,
And His righteousness to children’s children,
18 To those who keep His covenant
And remember His precepts to do them.
19 The Lord has established His throne in the heavens,
And His sovereignty rules over all.
20 Bless the Lord, you His angels,
Mighty in strength, who perform His word,
Obeying the voice of His word!
21 Bless the Lord, all you His hosts,
You who serve Him, doing His will.
22 Bless the Lord, all you works of His,
In all places of His dominion;
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
THANKFULNESS FOR GOD’S DELIVERANCE The Lord commanded Israel to remember their deliverance from bondage perpetually. Deuteronomy 6: 6-9 6 These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deuteronomy16:12 12 You shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and you shall be careful to observe these statutes.
THANKSGIVING IS A TIME OF REMEMBRANCE We need to thank God for our blessings as a way of life; whether bitter or sweet, stormy or calm. We must constantly remember what the Lord has done for us. Habakkuk 3: 17-18 17 Though the fig tree should not blossom
And there be no fruit on the vines,
Though the yield of the olive should fail
And the fields produce no food,
Though the flock should be cut off from the fold
And there be no cattle in the stalls,
18 Yet I will exult in the Lord,
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.
Remember the Sabbath Day. Exodus 20:8 8 “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Communion is a time to remember the death of Jesus Christ. Luke 22: 19 19 And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”
GIVE THANKS FOR YOUR SALVATION Remember the things Christ has done for you. Give thanks for your salvation, healing, and preservation in Him.
THE REASON FOR THANKFULNESS We do not deserve any of God’s goodness, the bread and the meat we eat, the very water we drink, taste of His mercy! His love clothes us. His spiritual blessings flow in a continual stream. We should praise God with thanksgiving in all circumstances and all situations.
UN-THANKFULNESS IS PROPHETIC Ingratitude and unthankful ness are signs of the end-time. The word, unthankful, mentioned twice in the Bible. Luke 6: 35 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. 2 Timothy 3: 1-2 1 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy
LET US THANK GOD Let us thank God for the opposition we have had to meet, the resistance that has forced us to put forth our best effort, the disputes that have compelled us to re-examine our arguments and eliminate our flaws. Let us thank God for the struggles that have caused us to grow, The defeats that have kept us humble, the losses that have made us cautious, And the dangers that have kept us alert. Let us thank God for the risks we have had to take, That have brought out hidden strengths. Let us thank God for some of the enemies we have made, for to have no enemies means that we have not taken issue with wrong, defied any evil or rallied to the defense of the oppressed. Let us thank God for our critics who tell us the truth about ourselves.
Above all,
Let us thank God that good has often come out of evil; that struggles we would have preferred to avoid have turned into blessings; that confident in His love and goodness, we have found strength and courage to face whatever comes to run the race that is set before us.
Author unknown
Romans 8: 26-30 26 In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
Hebrews 12: 1-12 1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
A Father’s Discipline 4 You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; 5 and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
Nor faint when you are reproved by Him;
6 For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines,
And He scourges every son whom He receives.”
7 It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? 1 0 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. 11 All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. 12 Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble,
THANKSGIVING Our power is shut off, and suddenly we become thankful for electricity. Our garbage is not picked up, and suddenly we become thankful for the garbage collector’s weekly stop. A good friend dies and suddenly we discover how much he meant to us. Our water becomes too polluted to drink, and suddenly we appreciate pure water. Why is it, Lord, that we take for granted the uncounted blessing of life until they are removed from us? We take for granted, the mind you have given us, the beauty of the earth around us, the rain and soil combining to produce our food, the love of family and friends surrounding us. Today I thank you for being patient with us, for not forgetting us when we forget you, for loving and forgiving us, for music and singing, for rest and leisure, for those who understand us, for laughter and joy, for being with us always. Most of all I thank you for not withholding the blessings of life from us even though we take them for granted. Take us into the world where we turn words of thanksgiving into deeds of service. Amen Author unknown
THANKSGIVING AND GRUMBLING The head of the family at the morning meal asked the blessing as usual, thanking the Lord for the things so bountifully provided. Immediately afterwards, as was his bad habit, he began to grumble about hard times, the poor quality of the food he was forced to eat, the way it was cooked, and much more. His little daughter interrupted him: “Father, do you suppose God heard what you said a while ago?” “Certainly”---- with the confident air of an instructor. “And did He hear what you said about the bacon and the coffee?” “Of course”---- not quite so confidently. “Then, father, which did God believe?”
Psalm 104
The Lord’s Care over All His Works.
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, You are very great; You are clothed with splendor and majesty, 2 Covering Yourself with light as with a cloak, Stretching out heaven like a tent curtain. 3 He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters; He makes the clouds His chariot; He walks upon the wings of the wind; 4 He makes the winds His messengers, Flaming fire His ministers.
5 He established the earth upon its foundations, So that it will not totter forever and ever. 6 You covered it with the deep as with a garment; The waters were standing above the mountains. 7 At Your rebuke they fled, At the sound of Your thunder they hurried away. 8 The mountains rose; the valleys sank down To the place which You established for them. 9 You set a boundary that they may not pass over, So that they will not return to cover the earth.
10 He sends forth springs in the valleys; They flow between the mountains; 11 They give drink to every beast of the field; The wild donkeys quench their thirst. 12 Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell; They lift up their voices among the branches. 13 He waters the mountains from His upper chambers; The earth is satisfied with the fruit of His works.
14 He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, And vegetation for the labor of man, So that he may bring forth food from the earth, 15 And wine which makes man’s heart glad, So that he may make his face glisten with oil, And food which sustains man’s heart. 16 The trees of the Lorddrink their fill, The cedars of Lebanon which He planted, 17 Where the birds build their nests, And the stork, whose home is the fir trees.
18 The high mountains are for the wild goats; The cliffs are a refuge for the shephanim. 19 He made the moon for the seasons; The sun knows the place of its setting. 20 You appoint darkness and it becomes night, In which all the beasts of the forest prowl about. 21 The young lions roar after their prey And seek their food from God. 22 When the sun rises they withdraw And lie down in their dens. 23 Man goes forth to his work And to his labor until evening.
24 O Lord, how many are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all; The earth is full of Your possessions. 25 There is the sea, great and broad, In which are swarms without number, Animals both small and great. 26 There the ships move along, AndLeviathan, which You have formed to sport in it.
27 They all wait for You To give them their food in due season. 28 You give to them, they gather it up; You open Your hand, they are satisfied with good. 29 You hide Your face, they are dismayed; You take away their spirit, they expire And return to their dust. 30 You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; And You renew the face of the ground.
31 Let the glory of the Lord endure forever; Let the Lordbe glad in His works; 32 He looks at the earth, and it trembles; He touches the mountains, and they smoke. 33 I will sing to the Lordas long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. 34 Let my meditation be pleasing to Him; As for me, I shall be glad in the Lord. 35 Let sinners be consumed from the earth And let the wicked be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul. Praise the Lord!
GIVING THANKS TO GOD
On the third Thursday of every year, America celebrates Thanksgiving.
Though it is often regarded as a harvest festival, it is an opportunity to thank God for His many gifts.
Ephesians 5:20
Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
THE MANUFACTURER'S HANDBOOK
ON PRAISE AND THANKFULNESS
BE THANKFUL FOR THE GIFT OF GOD’S SON
Jesus Christ was given as a gift to this world because of God’s great love for people. John 3: 16
He is Alpha and Omega. Revelation 1: 18
He is the Chief among ten thousand. Song of Solomon 5: 10
BE THANKFUL FOR GOD’S UN-MEASURABLE GRACE
Even when we were dead in trespasses, He made us alive together with Christ that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace and His loving kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2: 5, 7
BE THANKFUL FOR GOD’S POWER AND OMNIPOTENCE
He is omnipotent. He has power in both heaven and earth. Matthew 28: 18
He has power over all flesh John 17: 2
Christ is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1: 24
BE THANKFUL FOR HIS OMNISCIENCE AND WISDOM
God has knowledge about all things John 21: 17
He has all wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2: 3
He is our wisdom. 1 Corinthians 1: 30
BE THANKFUL FOR HIS OMNIPRESENCE
God’s presence is in the midst of His people. Matthew 18: 20
His presence will last even to the end of the world. Matthew 28: 20
His presence should cause our hearts to burn within us. Luke 24: 32
BE THANKFUL FOR HIS MIRACLES
Jesus Christ opened the eyes of the blind. John 9: 25
He healed the sick and demon possessed. Matthew 8: 16
He healed the lame and crippled people. Luke 13: 10-13
BE THANKFUL FOR CHRIST’S WORDS AND PARABLES
His parables revealed truth to His disciples. Mark 4L 10-11
His Word lights our path. Psalms 119: 105
His Word is eternal and will never pass away. Mark 13: 31
BE THANKFUL FOR HIS PROMISES AND FAITHFULNESS
Christ promises rest for the soul. Matthew 11: 28
He promises justification. Roman 5: 1
He promises eternal life. John 11: 25-26
BE THANKFUL FOR ALL THINGS
Praise Him as a way of life, whether bitter or sweet. Habakkuk 3: 17-18
Praise Him when your are chastised. Revelation 3: 19
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
William Bradford's "A Call to Thanksgiving"
by: Kathryn E. Darden, William Bradford
Plymouth Colony, MA
Nov 20, 2012
First Thanksgiving
It was November of 1623. Three years before, the Pilgrims had left left their homes, jobs and extended families and braved a perilous voyage to a strange world to escape religious persecution in England. They survived the treacherous ocean voyage to come to a strange land and face a harsh climate without food or shelter.
Arriving without shelter and with little food or other provisions, they lost half of their number that first winter to the cold, sickness and starvation. Slowly the Pilgrims built dwellings and planted gardens and building the Massachusetts Pilgrim Colony, "Plymouth Plantation." The pilgrims learned much from their Native American friends about how to best plant crops in North American soil. However, the first two years their small food supplies were heavily rationed.
When the third year saw a bountiful harvest, peace with the Indians, and less sickness, Governor William Bradford and the Pilgrims felt the need and desire to thank God for their new life in a new land where they could worship the Lord without fear of persecution. To All Ye Pilgrims Inasmuch as the great Father has given us this year an abundant harvest of Indian corn, wheat, beans, squashes, and garden vegetables, and has made the forests to abound with game and the sea with fish and clams, and inasmuch as He has protected us from the ravages of savages, has spared us from pestilence and disease, has granted us freedom to worship God according to the dictates of our conscience; now, I, your magistrate, do proclaim that all ye Pilgrims, with your wives and little ones, do gather at ye meeting house, on ye hill, between the hours of 9 and 12 in the day time, on Thursday, November ye 29th of the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and twenty-three, and the third year since ye Pilgrims landed on ye Pilgrim Rock, there to listen to ye pastor, and render thanksgiving to ye Almighty God for all His blessings.
--A Thanksgiving Proclamation Attributed to Governor William Bradford
