Thanksgiving – the Unseen
Nov 25
Should we not carefully consider giving thanks to God for those things generally hid from our eyes; the crippled and maimed war veteran, the faith of a dying loved one, the crushed by hopeful wife of a fallen police officer, the physically extended doctor and nurse, the parent wasting away in some nursing home, the young person scorned for remaining pure, the wanting missionary, that special school teacher, mentor or uncle who cared and still, many others?
Spiritual vs. Carnal Thanksgiving
Feb 25
"By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name." (Hebrews 13:15) Unique to the United States is the national holiday Thanksgiving. We are encouraged to recognize the bounty and wonder of our land, and express gratitude in some formal way. In many homes, however, thanks have become a vague expression of happiness for prosperity rather than a "sacrifice of praise" to our El Shaddai. This is the natural man's character and is temporal, oft times self-centered. Unique the the Christian Church however, we are told to, "...cry out with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of your wonderful works." Psalm 26:7 Not only by our outward expression of voice to offer thanks, but with song too. "I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving." Psalm 69:30 When we come before our God of grace to offer our thanks to Him, we remember that we are spiritually approaching the very One who sustains us in the day to day and for eternity through the death, resurrection and promise of salvation wrought by God the Son Himself, Jesus Christ.
Do not be drunk with wine
Feb 18
"And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18). Two factors need to be identified with this verse: First, the immediately preceding context confines the primary application to behavior, just as the immediately following context relates the "filled" behavior to the fellowship of believers. Secondly, the imagery stresses control of the behavior by the Holy Spirit (contrasting filled with drunken behavior).
Thanksgiving – the unseen
Jul 21
Depending on the blog read, television channel viewed, web page scanned, music file listened too or talk show observed - we are exposed to a very broad scope of opinions for celebrating this "Thanksgiving Day" season... or not.
My Beloved Son…
Jul 29
"And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:17). In this remarkable verse, God the Father, speaking from heaven itself, introduces His beloved Son to the world. This is the first New Testament reference to "love," just as the Father's love for the Son was the first love that ever existed. As Christ prayed in the upper room: ". . . for thou loved me before the foundation of the world" (John 17:24).
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