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I was reminded by a friend of an old Negro spiritual that we used to sing growing up. It says, “If it was for the Lord, tell me what would I do. He is everything to me.”
As I reflect upon this I think about all of the things that I have to be thankful for in life. There are too many to name and if I tried, I am sure I would overlook some. I am sure you would as well; however as we approach Thanksgiving, it is important to reflect on the goodness of God in our lives; not just the things that He has done today or yesterday but also for the things He has done in your past. Stop and reflect over your life. I guarantee you that there are too many things to count. Of course, there are many things that we could complain about; however, let’s not take that route. Begin to thank God for all of the good things that He has done and is doing in your life. Thank Him for your family, your friends, income, your home, food, clothing, warmth, air, water, salvation, grace, mercy, kindness, patience, the blood of Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Holy Scriptures. Thank Him for all that He has done to make your life worth living, to give you hope, to stir faith in you. Thank Him for your church and our pastor both of who have made significant impacts in your life. I echo the words of the Psalmist in Psalm 107: “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercyendures forever. “ And, verse 8, “Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! First Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” If the scripture teaches us to do this, then giving thanks apparently has a positive effect on us. What does it do for us? Feeling and expressing appreciation is good for us. It reminds us everything we have is a gift from Him. It keeps our hearts in right relationship to the Giver of all good gifts. It reminds us of how much we do have. It changes our perspective in life and helps us realize that we could not even exist without the merciful blessings of God. These, along with many other things, point out the importance of giving God thanks. I encourage you today to be thankful and to express that thankfulness to The LORD. It will bless Him but, most of all; it will change your life. Have a blessed Thanksgiving season!
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In the book of Revelation, The LORD give John a vision of the throne-room of heaven. He sees God seated on the throne (speaking of the fact that God is in control of this world). He also sees four living creatures in the center and around the throne. They are speaking a continuous message: “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come.” As they praise God, the elders fall down and worship and lay their crowns before the throne saying, “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things and by your will they were created and have their being.
This is similar to the vision of Isaiah. “In the year that King Uzziah died (earthy kings die, God lives forever and ever), I saw The LORD seated on the throne, high and lifted up (exalted) and His robe filled the temple (no room for any other king, not even a queen! Hallelujah!!!) Saints, this and this alone is the proper perspective of praise. You must visualize the throne room of the universe where The Almighty God is sitting on the throne! God rules and God reigns! Things are not out of control. Satan is not running amuck in this world. God rules. God reigns. God is sovereign! That is the foundation and the fountainhead of praise! When we see God as He is , we will praise Him as we ought! Praise is nothing more or less that a commitment to and a confession of the sovereign power and providence of The Almighty God! To truly know Him (proper perspective) is to praise Him. There is so much power in prayer. Stop worrying and pray. Talk to God about anything and everything. He will give you His peace; a peace that can not be obtained anywhere else and a peace that you will not be able to comprehend but it will be a peace that will bring calmness and ease to your emotions, your will, and your thoughts.
Once you receive the Lord's peace, think on the things listed in verse 8 of Philippians 4. You will be amazed at the victory that will come in your life. Philippians 4:6-8 (KJV) 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Resurrection is on my mind! I know we must go through the crucible of the cross before we arrive at the glory of the resurrection; however the prospect and promise of resurrection makes the crucible of the cross bearable.
I want to encourage you this morning; death is necessary - death to pride, to ego, to reputation, are all necessary for us to be the yielded vessels that God needs us to be for His glory to be revealed in our lives. It may be hard. It may be the most difficult thing that we have ever experienced but it is necessary. Just be encouraged; God is a God of resurrection. If we die with Him, we shall also reign with Him! Luke 18:31 Taking the twelve disciples aside, Jesus said, “Listen, we’re going up to Jerusalem, where all the predictions of the prophets concerning the Son of Man will come true. (32) He will be handed over to the Romans, and he will be mocked, treated shamefully, and spit upon. (33) They will flog him with a whip and kill him, but on the third day he will rise again.” (34) But they didn’t understand any of this. The significance of His words was hidden from them, and they failed to grasp what he was talking about.
Think about this: Jesus knew what He was facing but did not turn around or try to escape it, all because He had a mission to complete. When I think about this, I see myself in the path of His mission for there was a time in my life when I was unsaved and He saved me. He commended His love toward me in that while I was yet unborn but destined to be born into sin and become a sinner, He had already died for me and made my salvation possible. He knowingly went through all that He went through for me! He took all of the humiliation, the shame, the beatings, the death on the cross and did not try to run away from it. It was no accident that He died! He was not killed in an ambush! He could have called a legion of angels to come and save Him but He CHOSE to die for me! That is so awesome!!! And, not only did He do this for me, He did it for YOU!!! I am overjoyed as I think about the greatness and goodness of God this morning. Just reflecting on this has stirred my faith and excited my emotions. Wow!!! I am blessed and highly favored. I pray that you are as well. And, If you are experiencing anything that is attempting to shade your day with sadness, gloom, darkness or depression, reflect on the great love of God that He has shown to you; rebuke that spirit of gloom and despair and rejoice in the love of God that is being poured out in your life today and for the rest of your life. He went to the cross so that you could have life and have it more abundantly. GRASP THIS! It is will make the difference in your life if it has not done so already!!! |
"Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers." (Proverbs 11:14 NLT)
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