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

Remembering

We have sinned, even as our ancestors did;

   we have done wrong and acted wickedly.

When our ancestors were in Egypt,

   they gave no thought to your miracles;
they did not remember your many kindnesses,

   and they rebelled by the sea, the Red Sea.

Yet he saved them for his name’s sake,

   to make his mighty power known.

He rebuked the Red Sea, and it dried up;

   he led them through the depths as through a desert.
He saved them from the hand of the foe;
   from the hand of the enemy he redeemed them.
The waters covered their adversaries;
   not one of them survived.
Then they believed his promises

   and sang his praise.

                            (Psalm 106:6-12 NIV)

Over and over again, God's people rebelled against him.  Over and over again, they suffered because of their rebellion.  Over and over again, the Lord saved them from their own iniquity.

It's the same old story.  It's not just Israel's story.  It is ours.  We have gone astray.  We have all experienced the consequences of our sins. Yet, God, whom we have offended most, continues to forgive. He continues to give to us salvation through Jesus Christ.

As often as we turn and call out to Him, He hears. We remember and confess our past sins and God forgives.  Remembering where we have been is a good thing.  It reminds us who we are not.  We are not God. It reminds us who it is that saves. It is not us.  Only Jesus can save.

But, sometimes we have a different motivation for remembering; especially remembering the sins of others. That motivation is sin itself. It is sin when we remember the past sins of others to make ourselves feel better about our own sins. "I'm not as bad as so and so...."  It is sin when we remember the sins of others, but cannot acknowledge the sin within ourselves.  It is sin when we live in the past and refuse to live in the day that God has given us to live in today, when we do not receive the gift of light and life today; rather choose to live in the darkness of yesterday. 

Remembering the past can be a good thing.  Remembering can help us live fuller lives in Christ today as we remember not to turn our backs on the One who has had mercy on us. But, if you choose to live in the dark past, stop trying to drag others back there with you. There are those who prefer to follow Jesus and now live in the light of God's grace and love.

"Praise the Lord!

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
   his love endures forever."
                               (Psalm 106:1)

 

God's Peace - Pr. J.