November 23rd 2016
What Are You Thankful For This Year?
Repeated from: Friday, November 16, 2007
Philippians 4:4-6 (NIV)
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
This year as you celebrate Thanksgiving Day is there something you are anxious about that could spoil the day? There are many situations that people may be experiencing that could cause you to be apprehensive. Many of us will be spending time with our immediate family, and sad to say, there may be those in that group that cause us some discomfort. Just to keep the record straight, there is no one in my family that fits this description! I thank God for that! However, there may be someone reading this who is concerned about being with his or her family on this special day. If this describes you, please think of those people who do not have a family to spend this day with. Think of their loneliness, and pray for them, and then thank God for your family, especially the one(s) troublesome to you. Remember you may be that person to someone in your family.
Why start this commentary with unpleasant situations, instead of dwelling on good things about our earthly families, you may ask? My intention is to get us all to think beyond this earthly realm. Too much of our time is spent dwelling on this life; therefore, we have little time left for God. If we spend time preparing to be with God, then we can truly put our earthly troubles out of our minds. Just that premise puts us into a better possibility of actually having a happy day.
Is there someone who has hurt you, and you are having difficulty forgiving them? If you are carrying around such a burden, then you may be the one, others find it difficult to be around. If you have such a problem you need to turn it over to Jesus. It is difficult to have thanksgiving in our heart when we harbor unforgiving thoughts there too! God is always ready to forgive us, and therefore, we need to be ready and able to forgive the other children of God. If you are struggling with a forgiveness situation confess it to Jesus, and He will replace it with righteousness, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
This year our thanksgiving prayers need to contain at least some reference to the leadership of our country. Although we reelected our President, there are many changes being made in leadership roles. I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. (1Timothy 2:1-2)
At this time of war (terrorism still flourishes around our world), do not forget to pray for peace. Jesus has foretold that there will never be a lasting peace in this world until He returns. However, He told us how we could have peace even amid troubled times. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27) Be thankful for the peace Jesus offers. Paul tells us that God’s peace passes all understanding, so soften your logical mind, and accept His offer of peace! And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. (James 2:15-17) Do you know someone who may fit the description supplied by James? Are you going to wish them well, and then go eat too much with your family? It does make us wonder, What Would Jesus Do, doesn’t it?
Do we fully understand the impact upon our lives of accepting membership into Jesus’ family? As members of our earthly family we are included with a large number of people! As citizens of this country we are counted with millions of people, and share in the privileges this country offers! As Christians we are included as a member of billions of people around this world. As followers of Jesus we are included in a number of souls too numerous to count! John tells us about this great number of souls in Revelation 7:9 I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no-one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.
As we gather with our families this Thanksgiving Day there may be some loved ones missing, and we may be saddened by their absence. If they are just living somewhere too far away to be with your family, take time to contact them. If they are away defending our country, pray a special pray for their safety, and contact them, if possible. If they are not present because they have died, be sad because you miss them, this is a natural feeling. This will especially be true if they recently died! However, we can feel good about the fact that they are now included in that "great multitude that no-one could count." The person departing only dies to this life, and is directed to another place. Followers of Jesus are directed to a much better place!
Wishing you all a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
Repeated from: Friday, November 16, 2007
Philippians 4:4-6 (NIV)
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
This year as you celebrate Thanksgiving Day is there something you are anxious about that could spoil the day? There are many situations that people may be experiencing that could cause you to be apprehensive. Many of us will be spending time with our immediate family, and sad to say, there may be those in that group that cause us some discomfort. Just to keep the record straight, there is no one in my family that fits this description! I thank God for that! However, there may be someone reading this who is concerned about being with his or her family on this special day. If this describes you, please think of those people who do not have a family to spend this day with. Think of their loneliness, and pray for them, and then thank God for your family, especially the one(s) troublesome to you. Remember you may be that person to someone in your family.
Why start this commentary with unpleasant situations, instead of dwelling on good things about our earthly families, you may ask? My intention is to get us all to think beyond this earthly realm. Too much of our time is spent dwelling on this life; therefore, we have little time left for God. If we spend time preparing to be with God, then we can truly put our earthly troubles out of our minds. Just that premise puts us into a better possibility of actually having a happy day.
Is there someone who has hurt you, and you are having difficulty forgiving them? If you are carrying around such a burden, then you may be the one, others find it difficult to be around. If you have such a problem you need to turn it over to Jesus. It is difficult to have thanksgiving in our heart when we harbor unforgiving thoughts there too! God is always ready to forgive us, and therefore, we need to be ready and able to forgive the other children of God. If you are struggling with a forgiveness situation confess it to Jesus, and He will replace it with righteousness, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
This year our thanksgiving prayers need to contain at least some reference to the leadership of our country. Although we reelected our President, there are many changes being made in leadership roles. I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. (1Timothy 2:1-2)
At this time of war (terrorism still flourishes around our world), do not forget to pray for peace. Jesus has foretold that there will never be a lasting peace in this world until He returns. However, He told us how we could have peace even amid troubled times. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27) Be thankful for the peace Jesus offers. Paul tells us that God’s peace passes all understanding, so soften your logical mind, and accept His offer of peace! And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. (James 2:15-17) Do you know someone who may fit the description supplied by James? Are you going to wish them well, and then go eat too much with your family? It does make us wonder, What Would Jesus Do, doesn’t it?
Do we fully understand the impact upon our lives of accepting membership into Jesus’ family? As members of our earthly family we are included with a large number of people! As citizens of this country we are counted with millions of people, and share in the privileges this country offers! As Christians we are included as a member of billions of people around this world. As followers of Jesus we are included in a number of souls too numerous to count! John tells us about this great number of souls in Revelation 7:9 I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no-one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.
As we gather with our families this Thanksgiving Day there may be some loved ones missing, and we may be saddened by their absence. If they are just living somewhere too far away to be with your family, take time to contact them. If they are away defending our country, pray a special pray for their safety, and contact them, if possible. If they are not present because they have died, be sad because you miss them, this is a natural feeling. This will especially be true if they recently died! However, we can feel good about the fact that they are now included in that "great multitude that no-one could count." The person departing only dies to this life, and is directed to another place. Followers of Jesus are directed to a much better place!
Wishing you all a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
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