GIVE THANKS

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.”
(Psalm 100:4) 

Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday:  food, family, and football.  But it’s more than that.  Thanksgiving is a time to praise the Lord for his many blessings in our lives.  Yes, even in the midst of economic woes, there is still plenty to be thankful for.  God is good.  And even through the tough stuff of life, he brings good to His children.  So take some time this week, especially on Thanksgiving Day, to thank God for what He’s doing in your life.

If you’re wondering where to start, here are a few things I’m thankful for.  I’ll even try to stick with the letter “f” to go along with food, family, and football… 

• forgiveness – my salvation in Christ
• family – my wife, children, sons-in-law, grandchildren, and extended family
• fellowship – my church family
• friends – too many to name them all
• freedom – America
• fun & frivolity – life itself
• difficulties (okay, it doesn’t start with “f” but it has 2 “f’s” in it)

Yes, we can even thank God for the difficulties – the trials and tribulations of life.  God uses the tough stuff of life to mold us and shape us and strengthen our faith in Him. 

Now, you take a stab at it.  What are you thankful for?  Don’t worry about your list starting with the letter “f” – just tell God “thanks” for His many blessings in your life! 

 Heavenly Father,
Everything we have is a gift from Your gracious hand.
Thank you for Your many blessings in life.
You are good and Your love endures forever;
Your faithfulness continues through all generations.
Hallelujah!  Praise the Lord!

YOU ARE BLESSED

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in the heavenly realms
with every spiritual blessing.”
(Ephesians 1:3)

We just wrapped up a 9-week series at NMC entitled, “Our Spiritual Blessings,” from Ephesians 1-3.  As God’s children, we are incredibly blessed by God.  With the Thanksgiving holiday approaching this month, I’d like you to take a few moments to review and reflect on all your spiritual blessings in Christ and praise God for His love!

I’ve written these blessings in first person.  I encourage you to read them aloud and just bask in the wonder of God’s amazing grace.  After you’ve reviewed your spiritual blessings in Christ, take a moment to thank God for His love and grace.

• I am chosen by God   (1:4)
• I am adopted as God’s child   (1:5)
• I am redeemed   (1:7)
• I am forgiven   (1:7)
• I am sealed by the Holy Spirit   (1:13)
• I am guaranteed an inheritance in heaven   (1:14)
• I am raised to new life   (2:5)
• I am seated with Christ in heaven   (2:6)
• I am saved by grace   (2:8)
• I am God’s masterpiece  (2:10)
• I am near to God   (2:13)
• I am reconciled to God   (2:16)
• I am at peace with God   (2:17)
• I have access to God   (2:18)
• I am a citizen of God’s Kingdom   (2:19)
• I am a member of God’s household   (2:19)
• I am the temple of God   (2:22)
• I am united in one body – the church   (3:6)

“Now to him who is able
to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to his power that is at work within us,
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus
throughout all generations, forever and ever!  Amen.”
(Ephesians 3:20-21)

A VETERAN’S DAY ANALOGY

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free…”
(Galatians 5:1)

Today (November 11th) is Veterans Day.  This is the day our country honors those men and women who have served in our Armed Forces over the years to protect our liberties and freedoms.

We are indeed grateful for the service and sacrifice of our veterans.  You have given up years of your life to serve our country.  You have put careers and families and dreams on hold.  You have left the comfort and security of home to serve around the world.  Many have fought in horrific wars and witnessed terrible tragedy and death.  Some have been shot and maimed and injured.  Some have suffered emotionally.  And others have been called on to pay the ultimate sacrifice for freedom – their own lives.  To all the men and women who have served to protect our freedom; we say a simple but heartfelt, “Thank-you!”

This day reminds me of another person who paid the ultimate price for freedom.  Jesus fought a spiritual war in Gethsemane and on Calvary against the enemy of our souls.  He paid the ultimate price for you and me. He sacrificed His life for our freedom.  Because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, we have…

• freedom from sin & Satan
• freedom from condemnation
• freedom from spiritual death
• freedom from an eternity in hell
• freedom to love and serve God with all our heart

Thank you, Jesus, for your sacrifice on the cross.  Praise God for our freedom in Christ!

 Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the men and women
who have fought for our freedom in America.
Thank you that Jesus gave His life
to free my soul from sin and condemnation.
May I now use my freedom to freely love and serve You.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

BEEF FISHIN’ LATELY?

“’Come follow me,’ Jesus said,
‘and I will make you fishers of men.’”
(Mark 1:17)

When I was young, I loved to go fishing.  I had three favorite fishing spots – the Little Colorado River near Greer, Christopher Creek near Payson, and Oak Creek Canyon near Sedona.  I liked fishing in streams instead of lakes.  In lake-fishing, you throw your hook into the water with a bobber on it; then you just sit and watch the bobber until a fish bites.  I didn’t like just sitting and watching.  I’m too impatient.  Of course, if I had a boat I might have liked lake-fishing better.

But in stream-fishing, I kept on the move.  I liked getting wet and dirty.  I liked getting in the water, walking down the stream and through the brush, looking for the perfect fishing hole.  Sometimes the fish hid out under the rocks; other times they liked the running water.  I usually tried two or three different baits or lures in each spot – salmon eggs, worms, spinners, z-rays, etc.  Then if I got no bites, I went hunting for another fishing hole.  Eventually, I found a spot where the fish were biting.

Jesus has called his disciples – you and me – to be fishers of men.  We need to go where the fish are instead of waiting for the fish to jump out of the lake.  We need to walk down the streams and through the brush in life to look for the fish.  We might even try two or three different baits or lures while fishing. And when they’re not biting, God may want us to look for another fishing hole.

Been fishin’ lately?

 Heavenly Father,
Thank your for calling me to be one of your disciples.
I recognize, Lord, that I am called to be a fisherman.
Give me a genuine burden for the lost.
And give us a passion for our community.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.