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Thank You |
Dear Brethren,
How often do we say, "thank you," in our
prayers? We are the most blessed nation that has ever existed, and we,
because of our calling, are the most blessed people who have ever lived.
Thursday is Thanksgiving Day. It is not one of God's Holy Days, but it
is appropriate for us, as the people of God, to be
thankful to God for the tremendous blessings He has poured out
on this great land and us, His people.
The greatest blessing God has given us is His Son, Jesus Christ, as our
Savior. How thankful should we be for His Spirit - which enables us
to begin to live as He lived? Even the faith that God's plan will
come to pass is a gift to be thankful for. His gifts are of infinite
worth! "Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as
ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving."
(Colossians 2:7)
More than a century ago, President Abraham Lincoln realized that the hand
of God had blessed this land of America more than any in the history of the
earth. In 1863, he wrote: "We have been the recipients of the
choicest bounties of Heaven; We have been preserved these many years
in peace and prosperity; We have grown in numbers, wealth and power
as no other nation has ever grown." "Blessing, and glory, and
wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our
God forever and ever." (Revelation 7:12)
God expects us to be a thankful people because we have not received all these blessings due
to our own ingenuity. It is God who has blessed America greatly: first of all
in fulfillment of His promise to faithful Abraham over 2500 years ago, then we
are blessed as God directs His plan for the USA in general, and then finally,
toward us brethren in particular. We owe all the thanksgiving to
God. "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ
Jesus concerning you." (1Thessalonians 5:18)
Americans are becoming an unthankful and ungrateful people. Thanksgiving Day means
"Turkey day" for too many. It means turkey and pumpkins - but increasingly less
emphasis on giving the Almighty Creator God the
thanks. Seldom do we as a people recognize God for
the blessings, protection, and abundance that we enjoy.
We think, for the most part, "We did it ourselves."
"When they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither
were thankful." (Romans 1:21)
God is the giver of all the good things we possess!
Truth and freedom of religion, victories, peace, family, friends, food, health,
clothes, homes, liberty, education... and an endless list of all sorts of
blessings. We would have none of these if it weren't for the generosity of
God. He must always be given the full credit. "Being enriched in every thing
to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God."
(2Corinthians 9:11)
What an incredible time and country we live in! We
have meat, and fruit, and vegetables, and fresh flowers all year long. We
have it better than King Solomon. We have telescopes to see God's
beautiful creation as never before - we can even view our own beautiful earth
from outer space! How that would have inspired David.
"That I may publish with the voice of
thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works." (Psalms 26:7)
Brethren, as we are reminded to be thankful this week,
let's be sure to remember the source of all blessings. God withholds no
blessing that we need. "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from
above, and cometh down from the Father..." (James 1:17)
"In every thing by prayer
and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto
God." (Philippians 4:6) Finally Brethren, let's be eternally
appreciative of God's mercy. "O give thanks unto the
LORD; for He is good; for his mercy endureth forever." (1Chronicles 16:34)
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| Sermon: |
"Take Hold of God" |
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