Thanksgiving should be a way of life, not something relegated to just one day a year. By giving thanks every day and remembering even the little the things God has done for us, we realize just how much we have to be thankful for.
"And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan. He said to the Israelites, "In the future when your descendants ask their fathers, `What do these stones mean?' tell them, `Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.' For the LORD your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over...He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your God." ~ Joshua 4:20-24
We had a great Thanksgiving service at Corinth, and in it we were asked some very thought-provoking questions, which I wanted to take the time to answer.
"And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan. He said to the Israelites, "In the future when your descendants ask their fathers, `What do these stones mean?' tell them, `Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.' For the LORD your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over...He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your God." ~ Joshua 4:20-24
We had a great Thanksgiving service at Corinth, and in it we were asked some very thought-provoking questions, which I wanted to take the time to answer.
"How has God been your Rock?": I like order and routine. I mean, I REALLY like it, but lately I've been surrounded by a lot of chaos. I used to descend into a panic as I tried to figure out how to fix everything, but God has reminded me that He is the One in control of everything and He will take care of whatever needs taking care of. It's amazing the peace I feel while in the very circumstances that used to cause me to panic. No God, no peace. Know God, know peace. "The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." ~ Philippians 4:7
"How has the Truth brought hope and encouragement?": I'm falling more and more in love with Scripture every day. No matter what the topic, I always find Scripture that addresses it perfectly. More and more I find myself thinking, "Wow! I didn't know that was in there!" "You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry." ~ Psalm 10:17
"How has God brought comfort to your heart?": In the past, when a situation came up, I'd try to think up all possible scenarios and pray specifically for them. Not that God ever seemed to choose one of my solutions, but I wanted to keep my bases covered. We're in a situation now that we don't want to be in, but it's totally out of our control. I have know idea how this is supposed to work out, if it's supposed to work out, but I've come to realize that I don't need to have all the answers (or even the right questions). Rather than pray over random scenarios that I come up with, I've learned to pray blessings for those involved. When God answers those prayers, that those involved would live a life of love (Gal 5:25), love justice (Ps 11:7), be merciful (Lk 6:36), show respect (1 Pet 2:17), etc, the situation will be resolved. That keeps my focus on God rather than all the things that "might happen." "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things...And the God of peace will be with you." ~ Philippians 4:8-9
"How has God brought answers to your prayers this year?": He continues to open my eyes to see how He is working in my life, answering not only the "big" prayers, but the small ones as well. "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" ~ Matthew 6:26
"How has God brought light (direction, wisdom and insight)?": The greatest blessings this year have come from memorizing Scripture. The fact that I could even do this amazes me - because of a closed head injury, my short-term memory is often nil. Yet I felt God calling me to memorize the book of James and I did. It meant months of nothing but James, but I did it! I'd be going over a verse for the twentieth, fiftieth, or even the hundredth time, and suddenly I'd have a new understanding of it, or a situation would arise and just the right verse would come to mind. I found I could be preparing to teach anytime and anywhere because I was always carrying the Scripture with me. If I can do it, anyone can! "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17
"How has God enabled you to persevere?": God has always spoken to me through Jeremiah 29:11-14. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity." However, it was many years before he brought verse 10 to my attention: "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place." God has great plans for me, but I have some unpleasant things to go through first. Just knowing there is an end to the trials and that the One who is in control has a plan enables me to keep going.
