Posts Tagged ‘ Thankful ’
For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift — not from works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9, CSB
We love the Church, knowing it is through the Church we hear the gospel of grace and receive salvation through faith. We lift each other up with the Word.
Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child — this one is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 18:4, CSB
Let us love the Church, knowing there are others who understand some things better than we do and that we need the Church to help us, like a family, following our God and Big Brother.
I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you
Philippians 1:3, CSB
Let us be the Church so that we love the Church, giving thanks to God for His people.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his faithful love endures forever.
1 Chronicles 16:34, CSB
We work in this world to usher others into the rest of Christ, being thankful for and sharing His goodness and love that gives us est from fear and worry.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name.
Psalm 100:4, CSB
The Holy Spirit points us to and reminds us to give thanks to God, as is often revealed in Scripture by Him.
I enjoy the Christmas season. I enjoy celebrating Advent.
The first week of Advent can be found here. The second week of Advent can be found here.
The third week of Advent is traditionally seen as being a time for looking at joy. This year, I am using some of the readings from the Revised Common Lectionary.
Let’s get into
Sing for joy, Daughter Zion;
Zephaniah 3:14-17, CSB
shout loudly, Israel!
Be glad and celebrate with all your heart,
Daughter Jerusalem!
The Lord has removed your punishment;
he has turned back your enemy.
The King of Israel, the Lord, is among you;
you need no longer fear harm.
On that day it will be said to Jerusalem:
“Do not fear;
Zion, do not let your hands grow weak.
The Lord your God is among you,
a warrior who saves.
He will rejoice over you with gladness.
He will be quiet in his love.
He will delight in you with singing.”
We saw previously that God is our hope and peace, that Christ is our faithful Priestly King prophesied centuries earlier and proclaimed at His birth and before His earthly ministry began.
This week we see the joy that Christ brings. Jesus came to His people, to Jerusalem at the proper time to take away our sin and shame. Our heavenly King came to dwell amongst us, to save us, and to give us full hope of eternity where He will rejoice with us, not condemning us but delighting in us. Let us join in the rejoicing!
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7, CSB
As we await Christ’s second coming, we cast all our anxieties on Him through prayer and thanksgiving, rejoicing in the Lord who saves, giving us hope and peace and eternal joy. Let us worship the King who has come! Let us love our God who dwelt among us and dwells within us by His Holy Spirit to the glory of the Father!
Lord, prepare our hearts for joy by the power of the Holy Spirit that others may see the joy and peace You grant us. Help us to see Your goodness in all things and to proclaim the joy of the cross to a lost and hurting world until Your return!
And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Matthew 22:37-39, ESV
Just the name of God can save, and He has. Let us show our thankfulness by sharing that salvation and love with others that they may worship God in thankfulness, too.
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
1 Chronicles 16:34, ESV
Just the name of God can save, and thankfully His love has been given to us through the Son sacrificing Himself for our salvation. Let us thank Him by sharing this love and forgiveness.
Looking at a daily devotional, I couldn’t help noticing that our American day of Tahnksgiving falls on the 333rd day of the year.
My mind immediately thought, “That’s funny. Our holiday is only half-evil,” going from the traditional understanding of “666” being the number of the Antichrist.
Naturally, that took my mind to Scripture:
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Ephesians 5:15-21, ESV
The world is a crazy place with more sin than we can fathom being celebrated, yet we can come together in thankfulness for our Lord who is redeeming the world and will soon return in glory.
Let us encourage each other in Christ, especially on a day like Thanksgiving but also throughout the year. Enjoy times with each other as the Church, and love your family and friends.
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good … even when the world is half evil.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 4:8, ESV
Just the name of God can save us, and Jesus’ name we are forgiven. Let us show our thankfulness for His grace by extending that forgiveness and love to others.
a simple man of God 