Thanksgiving

In the Old Testament, we learn that one of the sacrifices to be offered was that of thanksgiving (see Leviticus 7 and 22) and that David assigned specific men to sing thanksgiving (1 Chronicles 16). David wrote many songs and psalms of thanksgiving, which are recorded in 1 Chronicles and Psalms. Hezekiah encouraged the restoration of thanksgiving, as we note in 2 Chronicles. Such is also mentioned in Ezra, Nehemiah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Amos and Jonah. Thanksgiving was not limited to a set day in November.

In the Gospels, we see Christ Jesus both giving thanks and receiving thanks, being both fully God, thus rightly receiving thanks, and fully man, thus rightly giving thanks.

In Acts and in the epistles, thanks/thanksgiving continues to be highlighted.

Being thankful is to mark Christians, whatever circumstances they find themselves in. Romans 1:21 notes the unbeliever has these characteristics: "For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened."

How can Christians be thankful no matter what? It isn't an issue of pulling up one's socks emotionally or intentionally. It is an ongoing work of God in our hearts.

It reflects what Paul wrote here (1 Corinthians 15:57): "But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ," and here (2 Cornthians 2:14): "But thanks be to God, who in Christ Jesus always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere," and here (2 Corinthians 9:15): "Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!"

Or in Paul's letter to the Ephesians: "Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving" (5:4) and this: "Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (5:20).

Or his admonition to the Philippians: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God" (4:6).

And of course Paul's letters to the Colossians, Thessalonians, and Timothy also.

In the final book of the Bible, Revelation, John records more than one occasion of thanks being given.

Let me conclude this post with several passages from the Psalms:

"I will give thanks to you, O Lord. among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations" (57:9).

"I will give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever" (86:12).

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of hosts, for his steadfast love endures forever" (136:1-3).

"Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever" (136:26).

"All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O Lord, for they have heard the words of your mouth" (138:4).

"All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord, and all your saints shall bless you!" (145:10).

Encouragement

One of the most needed gifts we can give each other is that of encouragement.  When I was in graduate school and on the verge of throwing in the proverbial towel, two people came alongside me and their encouragement helped me complete my course. And if I had not stayed, I would not have ended up married to Garry.
More recently, when I was ready to quit writing, three people provided words of encouragement just when I needed them.
Through many media, we can encourage each other.
The first command to encouragement I found in the Bible is in Deuteronomy 1:38; this is repeated in 3:28. What was the context? Moses was to encourage Joshua and strengthen him as Joshua would lead Israel into the Promised Land. This was a major hand off of leadership.
In Acts, Joseph, a Levite and native of Cyprus, became known as Barnabas because of his reputation as an encourager; wouldn't you like a reputation like that?
Throughout Acts, Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, and Hebrews, we see encouraging and encouragement mentioned multiple times.
Here is just a selection:
Romans 15:4-6: "For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Philippians 2:1-2: "So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind."
Colossians 2:2-3: "So that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."
Hebrews 6:17-18: "So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us."
And being so encouraged, let us finish this week with Hebrews 10:23-25: "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one ano0ther to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Good Works

Our pastor has begun preaching through Titus 3. One expression which has gotten my attention is that of good works. These are not saving works; that has been accomplished once for all by the perfect life and sacrificial death of Jesus Christ.

These are more like what Paul wrote to the Ephesians: "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them" (2:10)

What might these good works include? It depends on how the Lord has gifted each one of us, but they are all important to the full functioning of the body to the glory of God.

After the party is over

Last week some celebrated Halloween while others celebrated Reformation Day. Hmnn. This made me think. We have these holidays, but what difference do they make the rest of the year? Pick any holiday: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, et al. Some places celebrate holidays specific to their locale, others to people such as Martin Luther King, Jr., and we can't forget birthdays or anniversaries either.

And after the celebration ends, what happens? Costumes are stored, candy eaten, wrapping paper disposed of, cookies and/or cake overeaten, turkey and fixings reconstituted for more meals.

Are most of us more thankful after Thanksgiving?

Does Christmas make us think of Christ or temporal gifts?

Are New Year's resolutions even made any more?

Do we skim past Easter once we no longer get excited about looking for eggs or getting baskets of candy or new dresses?

Does the significance of Reformation Day escape us in the run up to Halloween?

When your birthday comes, what do you think about?

After the party is over, what grips your thinking?

I urge you to prayerfully make reading the Bible a priority. Begin in either Genesis or Matthew. Keep at it, a bit at a time. Keep a notebook handy so you can write down questions or observations; yes, you can do this on-line too.

There is one verse you must realize the truth of and it is Hebrews 9:27: "It is appointed to men to die once, and after  that comes judgment." Once means once.

How can you escape this judgment? I'm glad you asked.

"That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, 'Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed'--for there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for 'Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.'" Romans 10:9-13