Posts Tagged ‘ Thanksgiving ’
“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:32, CSB
God deserves our thanks, especially for coming Himself to free us from sin, shame, and separation from Him. We have true freedom when we follow Christ.
“I am the bread of life,” Jesus told them. “No one who comes to me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in me will ever be thirsty again.”
John 6:35, CSB
God deserves our thanks, especially for coming down from heaven to us and offering Himself for our redemption.
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14, CSB
God deserves our thanks, especially for coming to be one of us and reveal Himself and His grace to us, though we are sinful and rebellious.
We were recently at a friends’ house, and their three-year-old came running up to me, declaring loudly, “Thank You Day is coming!” He was speaking of the upcoming (today, as of this posting) holiday in the United States of America, Thanksgiving.
We are not merely thankful for what we have in this life. We should be thankful to someone, namely God.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, ESV)
May we be thankful to our God for all the blessings He gives us, praising His name and seeking His will and glory, and praising and thanking Him most for new life in Christ.
“Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure — pressed down, shaken together, and running over — will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”
Luke 6:38, CSB
God deserves our thanks, especially for giving us forgiveness and grace through Chriat and by the Holy Spirit. Let us show our gratitude by giving His grace and forgiveness to others.
because it isn’t you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father is speaking through you.
Matthew 10:20, CSB
God deserves our thanks, especially for giving us the Bible and the Holy Spirit to help us spread the gospel.
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live.”
John 11:25, CSB
God deserves our thanks, especially for bringing us resurrection life through Christ. Let us always be thankful for the salvation we have in Him.
Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving.
Colossians 4:2, CSB
God deserves our thanks, and we find our thankfulness increases as we focus on God and giving Him our gratitude.
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!
a simple man of God 