November 24 2013
In This World What Is The Greatest Protection For Which You Are Most Thankful?
1Corinthians 10:16 (NIV)
Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?
Last year on Thanksgiving Day my family and I mourned, because one of my best friends, and our aunt died. However, we also celebrated for her, as we were very confident her suffering was over, and she was now in heaven sharing thanksgiving with Jesus. There was a room prepared for her by Jesus, so that she could be where He is, as He promised! Now that is something to be very thankful for!
This year when you celebrate a day of thanksgiving, what will you be thankful for? Those receiving this commentary who live in the USA, may be celebrating our freedom, and be giving thanks to our government for being strong, and thus, able to protect us, for the most part. People in other countries that still have some of the same freedoms may also be thankful for those in power who protect them from harm. 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)
Some 50 years ago one of the great leaders of the free world was gunned down, as though he was a common criminal. Of course, that was John F. Kennedy, who was at the time the President of the United States. So this year we have already had many programs created in remembrance of this great man, whose life was cut short by terrorist(s). Like all men this man died and his immortal soul departed his body and went into another sphere. Thus while he was a great person, when his time came he died and left this sphere of existence.
As the selected verse states, all human beings have the right to participate in thanksgiving for we are allowed to share in a very special meal, which consists in the body and blood of Jesus Christ. There is nothing else in all human experience that is more important to our existence than this meal of thanksgiving, because the result of such praise does not end in death, but in eternal life! Paul wrote to the church in Corinth about followers of Jesus being made rich. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. (2 Corinthians 9:11) Do you feel rich, in that you have an overflow of love to share with others?
Are people thankful for knowing you, because you have good news to share? How do you approach life, as someone who is joyful, because your salvation was assured, or as someone who is glum, because you do not have enough “things?” Does your attitude attract people to you or does it repel them from you? All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. (2 Corinthians 4:15) Is your thankfulness obvious to those who come into contact with you? Does your salvation actually set you free so that people want to be around you? Does your joy, “cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God?”
We live in a time of quick cellphone messages, and quick retorts to messages that may be hinged on desperation for the person who sent it. There are growing problems in our schools of bulling, and most schools now require metal detectors to screen all students as they enter the school. We read about well-paid professional athletes who rape women they come in contact with, and sometimes avoid prosecution for their crimes. Some of our sports heroes have illegitimate children by several different associates. Some of the professional teams are dealing with bulling to the point where an athlete has left the team for fear of bodily harm. These problems do not relate to poor, or oppressed, or uneducated people, these are for the most part people of earthly wealth, and affluence.
You may be asking at this point why such bad news ended up in this commentary. It appears to me that such bad apples are not really so isolated from most of us reading this today. It makes me wonder how quickly our society has lost its way. Do you wonder how and why this seems to be happening? Is there something you (we) can do to stem this tide? Do your friends and associates know what Jesus did for you? Paul wrote to the church in Corinth about spiritual matters, and wanted these Christians to tell people about why they were thankful. If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? (1 Corinthians 14:16)
Among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. (Ephesians 5:3-4) Are you or can you be like Paul wrote the Christians in the church of Ephesus should be? Who will you imitate in this life? Will you be more like the “heroes” of this world, or are you working on becoming more Christ-like?
If you are fortunate enough to be surrounded by friends and/or family this Thanksgiving Day, please pray for those who are not so fortunate. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6) Remember too, it may be true, “the best things in this life are free!” Having many things may be good, but having Jesus is the best!
Remember, Jesus died for your sins, and be thankful!
Wishing you all a
Happy Thanksgiving!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
1Corinthians 10:16 (NIV)
Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?
Last year on Thanksgiving Day my family and I mourned, because one of my best friends, and our aunt died. However, we also celebrated for her, as we were very confident her suffering was over, and she was now in heaven sharing thanksgiving with Jesus. There was a room prepared for her by Jesus, so that she could be where He is, as He promised! Now that is something to be very thankful for!
This year when you celebrate a day of thanksgiving, what will you be thankful for? Those receiving this commentary who live in the USA, may be celebrating our freedom, and be giving thanks to our government for being strong, and thus, able to protect us, for the most part. People in other countries that still have some of the same freedoms may also be thankful for those in power who protect them from harm. 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)
Some 50 years ago one of the great leaders of the free world was gunned down, as though he was a common criminal. Of course, that was John F. Kennedy, who was at the time the President of the United States. So this year we have already had many programs created in remembrance of this great man, whose life was cut short by terrorist(s). Like all men this man died and his immortal soul departed his body and went into another sphere. Thus while he was a great person, when his time came he died and left this sphere of existence.
As the selected verse states, all human beings have the right to participate in thanksgiving for we are allowed to share in a very special meal, which consists in the body and blood of Jesus Christ. There is nothing else in all human experience that is more important to our existence than this meal of thanksgiving, because the result of such praise does not end in death, but in eternal life! Paul wrote to the church in Corinth about followers of Jesus being made rich. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. (2 Corinthians 9:11) Do you feel rich, in that you have an overflow of love to share with others?
Are people thankful for knowing you, because you have good news to share? How do you approach life, as someone who is joyful, because your salvation was assured, or as someone who is glum, because you do not have enough “things?” Does your attitude attract people to you or does it repel them from you? All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. (2 Corinthians 4:15) Is your thankfulness obvious to those who come into contact with you? Does your salvation actually set you free so that people want to be around you? Does your joy, “cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God?”
We live in a time of quick cellphone messages, and quick retorts to messages that may be hinged on desperation for the person who sent it. There are growing problems in our schools of bulling, and most schools now require metal detectors to screen all students as they enter the school. We read about well-paid professional athletes who rape women they come in contact with, and sometimes avoid prosecution for their crimes. Some of our sports heroes have illegitimate children by several different associates. Some of the professional teams are dealing with bulling to the point where an athlete has left the team for fear of bodily harm. These problems do not relate to poor, or oppressed, or uneducated people, these are for the most part people of earthly wealth, and affluence.
You may be asking at this point why such bad news ended up in this commentary. It appears to me that such bad apples are not really so isolated from most of us reading this today. It makes me wonder how quickly our society has lost its way. Do you wonder how and why this seems to be happening? Is there something you (we) can do to stem this tide? Do your friends and associates know what Jesus did for you? Paul wrote to the church in Corinth about spiritual matters, and wanted these Christians to tell people about why they were thankful. If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? (1 Corinthians 14:16)
Among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. (Ephesians 5:3-4) Are you or can you be like Paul wrote the Christians in the church of Ephesus should be? Who will you imitate in this life? Will you be more like the “heroes” of this world, or are you working on becoming more Christ-like?
If you are fortunate enough to be surrounded by friends and/or family this Thanksgiving Day, please pray for those who are not so fortunate. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6) Remember too, it may be true, “the best things in this life are free!” Having many things may be good, but having Jesus is the best!
Remember, Jesus died for your sins, and be thankful!
Wishing you all a
Happy Thanksgiving!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak