Give Thanks!

Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.

                                                                                  1 Chronicles 16:8 KJV

Thanksgiving isn't a religious holiday! I hear that every year from certain family and friends. My reply always is something to the effect of then who are are we giving thanks to on Thanksgiving if not to God. God has given us all things. To Him we give thanks and praise for that He has done for us. Count your blessings this and every day and give thanks to the Lord for them.

May you all have a blessed day of giving thanks to the Lord!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Thanks Be To God For All The Saints

St. Paul wrote to the Corinthians:

"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

(As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.

Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)

Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;" 

                                                                              (2 Cor 9:8-13 KJV)

Today is all Saints Sunday. Christians all around the world will be remembering their loved ones who have gone before them as well as many faithful who are still with us who have helped us on our journeys through this world. Some have fed us with food for our bodies; while others have fed us spiritually.

Christ has worked through many to help us on our journey; to bring us closer to God; to help build up our faith by sharing the Word with us. They have given and continue to give much for the sake of the Body of Christ. Some have given food and shelter. Some have fed us with the Word of God. Some have even given their whole lives for us. So, today we give thanks to God for those saints who so generously have given of their love.

Let us give thanks, today and every day, for the generosity and the willingness of others to make Christ known to us.

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Lord Renews Our Strength

On Eagle's Wings

Life brings us a lot of challenges. There are days when I wonder how I will manage to get everything done that I'm supposed to be doing and to be in so many places at one time. There are so many people in need; so many who suffer; so many who are alone and lonely. How can we help them all? I make a lot of lists. If I don't, by the time I get home, I realize that I have not gotten to someone or something that I had intended to get to.

It can seem overwhelming at times. Lists help to keep me on point. But, more importantly rising early to study God's word and to spend time in prayer is essential if I want to be prepared to meet the day and any challenges the day might bring. I find strength in God's word and in his presence. I need to be able to talk to him and listen to Him and trust Him.

Isaiah reminds us that we are to wait and to trust in the Lord. He will give us the strength to meet the challenges.

"Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint,
and strengthens the powerless.
Even youths will faint and be weary,
and the young will fall exhausted;
but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings like eagles,

they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." 

                                                      Isaiah 40:28-31 NRSV 

We all grow weary at times. Trust in and lean on the One who does not grow weary. His strength never fails Him or us.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Like Grasshoppers We Sit Upon the Circle Of The Earth

The earth's inhabitants are like grasshoppers.

Have you not known? Have you not heard?    Has it not been told you from the beginning?
    Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?
It is he who sits above the circle of the earth,
    and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers;
who stretches out the heavens like a curtain,
    and spreads them like a tent to live in..."
Isaiah 40:21

I've always wondered why Columbus had to prove the earth was round. How could they not have known? Had they not read scripture? Had they not read Isaiah in Columbus' day? It is clear, at least, to me that the circle of the earth refers to the globe shaped planet that we live on under the protective canopy of the ozone layer.

We, are so very proud of our scientific achievements and advancements. But, in reality, we know nothing; we understand so very little, when we consider all that God has done.  We truly have not understood all that there is to understand. We, are not so unlike the grasshoppers, knowing nothing, hopping about like we do; yet, totally dependent upon the providence of God. In a moment the circle of earth could disappear and the curtains of heaven could be pulled back. What then? What happens when we stand without these things before the One who created all things?

May God give us a heart to understand His Word, His will for us.

God's Peace - Pr. J