30 Days of Thanks & Praise! Day #28 – Praising the Lord with All My Soul (Psalm 103)

Praising the Lord with All My Soul (Psalm 103:1-9)

Psalm 103:1-9, “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.”

This psalm is one of the summits of the psalms. It is a psalm of thanksgiving for the many merciful blessings of God upon mankind. It is a psalm of encouragement to the saints and exaltation for the Sovereign. Psalm 103 says it all. The benefits of the Lord are, indeed, great and marvelous, and it would be an act of ingratitude not to remember and appreciate them. Be genuine in praising God. If the "soul" is involved, it shows sincerity of the spirit in praising God. It is more than just lip praise. Put everything you have into praising God. As Christians, we have so much for which to be thankful. Yet, as we read the Bible, we see many reminders to God’s people to appreciate and give thanks for what they have received. Why do we need so many reminders? I believe, in large part, it is because we tend to be self-focused. When we get good things, we can easily fall into the trap of believing it happened because we were worthy and deserving, and there is no reason to be thankful for getting what you deserve. We tend to forget God's blessings rather quickly. We need to remember them or we will not praise God for them. Forgetting them often leads to complaining that God does not bless us or do anything good for us.

Here are a few things found in these verses that we need to be constantly reminded of:

1. Praise the Lord for His Wonderful Redemption! (Psalm 103:3; I John 1:7) The most important thing in this life is to know that you know that you are saved! The knowledge that your sins have all been washed away in the crimson flow of Calvary. To know the wonder of a cleansed heart. To know the forgiveness of all of your sins. To know that heaven is your home. To know the wonder of a changed life. To know Christ!

2. Praise the Lord for Health and Strength! (Psalm 103:3; Revelation 21:4) God has been gracious to me. I rarely get sick or feel bad. One day I will get sick and not get over it in this world, but thank God, He will heal me completely in the next. The greatest and ultimate disease is that of aging and death, but one day “there shall be no more death”.

3. Praise the Lord for Saving Me from Self-destruction! (Psalm 103:4; I Peter 1:18-19) I have heard many say that they would be dead and in hell if it had not been for salvation. I do not know where I would be right now if God had not saved me but I do know this, I would not be where I am now. He changed my life, placed new desires in me, gave me a wife who has loved and lived for the Lord. Thank you, Lord, for saving my life as well as saving my soul.

4. Praise the Lord for Your Lovingkindness and Mercy! (Psalm 103:4; Ephesians 2:4) I believe that all of us can say that the Lord has been better to us than we deserve. He has not rewarded us after our iniquities. I have never been good enough to go to heaven and never will be. I am going because He loved me and died for my sins! It is all of God and it is all of grace!

5. Praise the Lord for His Strength and Provision! (Psalm 103:5; James 1:17) The Lord has sure been good to me, even in the physical things of life. It is God that gives to you the very air that you breathe! Every good gift and every perfect gift; these things come from God. He gave you your health, your home, your job, your car, your food, your every blessing in life. All is made by God and given by God. We are the richest nation on earth and have far more than we deserve. No wonder people are swimming rivers and sneaking across the borders to come to this great land!

6. Praise the Lord for His Protection and Divine Intervention in Our Lives! (Psalm 103:6; John 14:1-3) I am so glad that my life is in the hands of the One who can help. He protects and shields us from evil things. Yes, life is hard, but I look back over the last three years and know that my family and church could have been destroyed. We are here and well! We have trusted in the Lord and have not had to compromise one inch in either our integrity or our doctrine. God has brought us this far and He will take us all of the way home. We can trust Him!

7. Praise the Lord for His Longsuffering! (Psalm 103:8-9; Colossians 1:11) He sure has to put up with a lot when He puts up with me. I am not proud of it, but it is a fact! Thank you, Lord, for being there with me and for me when I did not deserve it. You are gracious; you are merciful; you are longsuffering; and you are compassionate, and I love you for it!!

God’s salvation has a lot of wonderful “benefits” that go along with it and I feel that it is good to be reminded of them from time to time. As you enjoy the things of this life, give glory and honor and praise to the One who made it all possible!

If this post in any way, has blessed you,
please share this website and its articles with others:
www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com

30 Days of Thanks & Praise! Day #27 - Thoughts on Thankfulness (Psalm 136)

Thoughts on Thankfulness (Psalm 136)

The psalm begins with threefold praise to the triune God. It then gives numerous examples of God’s blessing to Israel throughout its history. It concludes with verses of personal gratitude for mercy and God’s provision. The phrase, “for his mercy endureth for ever”, which is repeated over and over in this psalm (26 times), teaches us that all of God’s actions toward us, and for us, are based on love. Why does the psalmist repeat 26 times the theme that God’s lovingkindness is everlasting? It’s because the enemy wants us to doubt it, especially when trials hit. God’s love is also the main reason we should always express thanks to Him. His love is expressed through His mercy, faithfulness, compassion, kindness, care, and spiritual salvation. We experience that love fully through a personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus.

As His children, we are to be thankful in all things. Here are four reasons.

1. For His Person (Psalm 136:1-3)
We are instructed to be thankful to God. The reason is He is good and His mercy endures forever. That was true in David’s day and it remains true to this day. What a wonderful assurance! God’s blessing is enduring. It continues forever.

2. For His Power (Psalm 136:4-9)
The creative work of God to this day remains a wondrous work, whether it be the heavens above, the earth beneath, or the heavenly bodies of the sun, moon, and stars. They all manifest the goodness of God and illustrate that His mercy endures forever. That creative work ought to stir us to give thanks unto God to this day.

3. For His Purposes (Psalm 136:10-22)
David rehearsed the power of God in the first Passover and His mighty deliverance of Israel out of Egypt at the Red Sea. He gave them victory against insurmountable odds in their long march to the land God had promised them, and then God gave them the land He had promised them as an heritage forever. Truly, God was good to Israel and manifested forth His mercy to them. It was all manifold cause for them to give thanks unto God. As gentile Christians, God has blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ, as well as promising temporal blessings in the meantime. We, as well, have great cause to give thanks unto the Lord. Indeed, His mercy has endured forever unto this day.

4. For His Provision (Psalm 136:23-26)
His abundant mercy should cause us to sing of His loving-kindness continually. Experiencing His grace is not just once and for all; His love and kindness are not provided only until He loses patience with us, but they go on and on. It is His nature, and it is eternal. This hymn reviews the history of God demonstrating His loving-kindness to show that it is truly everlasting. Each creative act and the wonders He performed were testimonies of His loving-kindness. We need to be reminded that God is worthy of praise for all that He has done for us throughout our lives. He created us and gave us life. He redeemed us from our sin and adopted us as His own. He has blessed us with families and a significant and fulfilling life. He never grows impatient but is always beside us to deliver us out of our troubles and rescue us from adversaries who would come against us.

Prayer: Lord, You are worthy of all worship and honor and praise. You are great and powerful to remember me and be merciful to me in times of need. You have demonstrated Your compassion in my life so many times. You are truly good all the time. May I never cease to praise You and worship You because Your loving-kindness is truly unending.

This is an excerpt from a Bible Study. For the complete study in its entirety, email pastortoreyblackman@yahoo.com and request this study and I will send it to your email address.

If this post in any way, has blessed you,
please share this website and its articles with others:
www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com

30 Days of Thanks & Praise! Day #26 - Gift of Gratitude (II Thessalonians 2:13)

Gift of Gratitude (II Thessalonians 2:13)

II Thessalonians 2:13, “But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.”

Paul praises God for the salvation of the Thessalonians. Notice: Paul mentions all three members of the trinity in this verse II Thessalonians 2:13, “But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.” Not only did he again express his thanks for them, but he also wrote they were beloved of God. That in itself should bear encouragement. Sometimes we think that we are thankful people, but too often we neglect to express our gratitude. Often this is the result of failure to appreciate what we have.

Focusing on what God has done for us is the key to maintaining a grateful heart. Do you know the single greatest enemy of gratitude? It’s not poverty. It’s not stinginess. It’s not mistreatment. It’s expectancy. No one owes us anything, especially God. Of all the heavenly gifts we have to be thankful for, the most frequently overlooked is the gift of gratitude. Paul said he was “bound to give thanks” — that he owed an obligation to be grateful, and this is true of us as well. God has done so many wonderful things for us, and none of them are deserved. Gratitude guards our hearts against pride and selfishness, for if we remember that the good things we enjoy are blessings from God rather than something we are owed, we will remain humble before Him. Thankfulness is the attitude that perfectly replaces our sinful tendency to complain, and in so doing, releases joy and blessing into our lives. Thankfulness is the ideal replacement for complaining. Take time today to express your attitude of gratitude.

Here are three reasons gratitude is a vital virtue for spiritual development:

1. God requires our thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving, as we have just noted, is a form of praise to God. When we thank God, we give credit to Him. That honors and praises Him. Praise is to be continuous. God's performance, unlike our performance, is always praiseworthy. The most important reason we express gratitude is because God requires we offer Him our thanks. God takes our gratitude, or lack thereof, very seriously. Gratitude is a vital virtue. We are always required to give God what He is due, including our thankfulness. Everyone can make the decision to give thanks and acknowledge the goodness of God.

2. Gratitude keeps our focus on God (and off ourselves).
Paul’s thanksgiving was not based on what they were doing for God, but on what God did for them. When we develop a habit of gratitude, we are constantly asking two questions: “For what should I be grateful?” and “To whom do I owe thanks?” The more we express our gratitude, the more our eyes are opened to the benevolence of God and His generosity in bestowing us goodness and blessings. When we see how much we owe to God, it helps to reduce our own self-centeredness. Express your gratitude today, both to God and to those who have helped you in your life. Take sometime today to express gratitude to others whom God has used in your life—your family, friends, teachers, mentors, and spiritual leaders. Thank them for their investment in you, and tell them specifically how God has used them to provide for, encourage, and strengthen you. It is also important for us to express our gratitude to those who have made investments in our lives. Recognizing that others have helped us get to where we are, it is only right to thank them.

3. The blessing of having enough.
Rather than focusing on what others have, we should be expressing our gratitude to God for all that He has given us. Sometimes we think that we are thankful people, but we neglect to express our gratitude. Often this is the result of failure to appreciate what we have. This ingratitude happens because we count the blessings of those around us instead of counting our own blessings. We fail to realize that even great blessings and success may only be temporary. The fact that those who do not know God may have temporary success in “climbing the ladder” or accumulating the most toys does not change the fact that this is short-term success that produces no lasting or eternal result.

Every person can come up with a list of things they would like to have (and there is nothing wrong with owning things if the things don’t own us). If we are honest in our assessment, we would have to say that we have far more than most people in the world, and more than we must have to live. The reality of our lives is that we do have enough— we simply need to be content with what God has provided and thank Him for it. How often do we focus on what we can get or how to provide for ourselves without thinking of those less fortunate than us? Yet many times we can pass by others without stopping to help.

When was the last time you helped the elderly? When was the last time you carved out time in your schedule to sit and listen to someone who's hurting? When was the last time you bought a meal for a family in financial trouble? Rather than always expecting to be showered with gifts, live your life giving of yourself to others. Thank God for what you already have and commit to focusing on others rather than yourself today.

When we ponder all the good things we have because of God’s grace, and rejoice in the Lord, our hearts will erupt with gratitude. Gratitude heals our hearts. It displaces lethal complaining. It opens our eyes to the innumerable graces of God in our everyday lives. In our hurry through life, we neglect gratitude. Rather than rushing off to the next thing, spend some time thanking Jesus for specific gifts in your life. Make a gratitude list.

• Be thankful for what He has already given you!
• Ask God today to help you have an attitude of gratitude!
• Have you thanked God today for His many blessings in your life?
• Take your eyes off yourself and focus on the goodness of God.
• Take time to thank God today for all He has done for you.
• When we focus on ourselves, we lose the opportunity for God to use us.
• One way we can keep our focus on Christ is by thanking Him for His many blessings.

Prayer, Heavenly Father, please forgive my shallow, immature, faith-choking ingratitude. You shower me with Your blessings, yet how rarely I stop to truly thank You. Thank You for all that You have done for me. Please replace my complaints with thanks. Thank You for Your Son, Jesus. It’s in His name I pray, amen.

If this post in any way, has blessed you,
please share this website and its articles with others:
www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com

30 Days of Thanks & Praise! Day #25 - In Everything Give Thanks (I Thessalonians 5:18)

In Everything Give Thanks (I Thessalonians 5:18)

I Thessalonians 5:18, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

Corrie ten Boom in the Hiding Place relates an incident that taught her always to be thankful. She and her sister, Betsy, had just been transferred to the worst German prison camp they had seen yet, Ravensbruck. Upon entering the barracks, they found them extremely overcrowded and flea- infested. That morning, their Scripture reading in I Thessalonians had reminded them to rejoice always, pray constantly, and give thanks in all circumstances. Betsy told Corrie to stop and thank the Lord for every detail of their new living quarters. Corrie, at first, flatly refused to give thanks for the fleas, but Betsy persisted, and Corrie finally succumbed to her pleadings. During the months spent at that camp, they were surprised to find how openly they could hold Bible study and prayer meetings without guard interference. It was not until several months later that they learned the reason the guards would not enter the barracks was because of the fleas.

It is God’s will for us to give thanks in everything. Thanks is appreciation or gratitude voiced from our lips and hearts. It is not easy to be thankful for what we do not like, but this is the will of God. Thanks in this context means to be grateful and to express gratitude. We should be thankful for everything, whether small or big.

This is a difficult command but a divine command. Scripture says to give thanks “in” everything; “not for” everything. It includes good things and bad things, joys and sorrows, gains and losses, hurts and health, good news and bad news. In everything give thanks! At all times, in all circumstances, give thanks to God. We don’t have to be thankful for our trials. But we can be thankful in them since we know the Lord is going to use it for our good in the future.

Saying “thank you“ should be an everyday occurrence. A grateful heart is shown through grateful lips. A person who is truly thankful cannot help but to express it. Expressing gratitude for all that God has done for us through Christ should be one of the continuous character traits of all Christians (Ephesians 5:20). This kind of gracious attitude will cause the believer to stand out in his or her setting and be a good example for Christ.

In our praise to God, we are to rejoice always and we are to give thanks in everything. God commands His people to give thanks to Him! We should give God praise, honor, and glory because of what He has given to us. An evergreen is always green despite the changes in weather around it. It is green in the heat of summer as well as the cold of winter. So also, our lives are to be characterized by an enduring thankfulness that is unaffected by the changes around us. When the heat of a pressured week or the deadly cold of pain strikes us, we should stand ‘ever green,' always thankful, regardless of that which surrounds us. For Christians, there is no situation in which we cannot give thanks. Even in affliction we are more than conquerors as the Spirit of glory and of God rests on us. A life of prayer and devotion leads to a thankful heart.

One preacher well said, “We can worship the Lord without words, but we cannot praise Him without words. ” He demands our praise and He deserves our praise. Thirteen years before his conversion, John Wesley had a conversation one night with a porter of his college that impressed Wesley that there was more to Christianity than he had found. The porter had only one coat. He had eaten no food that day and yet his heart was full of gratitude to God. Wesley said to him, “You thank God when you have nothing to wear, nothing to eat, and no bed to lie upon? What else do you thank him for?” “I thank Him,” answered the porter, “that He has given me my life and being, and a heart to love Him, and a desire to serve Him.”

Questions to Consider:

• Have you thanked God today for His many blessings in your life?
• How will you continue the spirit of thankfulness into the next year?

Points to Ponder:

• We are commanded to rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks.
• Even though we’ll never obey these commands perfectly, we should be working at making progress because “this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

PRAYER: Father, Your Word says to always give thanks and to give thanks for everything. Without Your help, that is impossible. Forgive me for all the times that I worry about my situation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If this post in any way, has blessed you,
please share this website and its articles with others:
www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com

30 Days of Thanks & Praise! Day #24 - Blessing of Thanksgiving (Psalm 107)

The Blessing of Thanksgiving (Psalm 107)

The psalm is one of the redeemed and especially of thanksgiving to God. The psalm rehearses various problems and crises of life in which the redeemed may find themselves, and from which the Lord delivers. Such occasions require men to praise the Lord. This psalm challenges those whom God has saved to praise him for rescuing them from desperate and dangerous situations. The psalm writer uses four situations to provide a picture of how God responds to his people’s prayers in times of extreme trouble: hunger and thirst (107:4-9), bondage (107:10-16), near-fatal illness (107:17-22) and the danger of a severe storm (107:23-32). This psalm is relevant today for all who experience trouble and misery and cry out to God for help. The message can build our faith and encourage us during times when we need God to intervene or take action in our lives.

In Psalm 107:4-32, we see the providence of God. Four times in these verses (Psalm 107:8, 15, 21, 31) we see the phrase “Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” When the Bible repeats like that we need to sit up and pay extra special attention, for God especially wants us to hear these repetitions for our learning and lifestyle. Again and again the Psalmist reminds us that we have a lot to be thankful for. There are so many ungrateful people in the world, let’s be sure that we remember to return our thanks to the Lord.

How often we fail to thank God for HIS goodness toward us. It has always been and always will be the duty of God’s people to testify of His goodness. We (the redeemed) have an obligation to open our mouths before others to testify of the goodness of God to us. It is God’s will for us to always give thanks for everything. We are commanded to give thanks regardless of the circumstances we find ourselves in. May we never allow the tests, trials, and troubles in life to rob us of the joy of our salvation and of a heart full of gratitude. We are to give thanks to the Lord for several reasons, here are four:

1. It is Biblically Good to Give Thanks to the Lord.
Because God is good, we must do what is good. The Bible tells us that we must not only hear the Word, but do it. Failure to give thanks to the Lord everyday is disobedience (James 1:22). In fact, our prayers are invalidated if we do not give thanks (Philippians 4:6).

2. It is Morally Good to Give Thanks to the Lord.
The universe is governed by a moral God. If God is good, then we ought to give thanks; it is morally right. In a day of immorality, corruption, unethical living, spiritual barrenness, and all manner of perverseness, isn’t it wonderful to pause and give thanks to our God?

3. It is Spiritually Good to Give Thanks to the Lord.
We are commanded to be filled with the Spirit, and to give thanks always for all things (Ephesians 5:18). Are you filled with the Spirit? Are you giving thanks? These are needs, or commands, and failure to give thanks is disobedience and sin.

4. It is Personally Good to Give Thanks to the Lord.
As an individual, are you personally thankful to God your Creator? God your Father? Jesus, your Saviour, who died on the cross for you? For the Holy Spirit? For your health? For all that you have? Even for things you don’t have because you have learned to trust Him more?

As believers should praise the Lord for His deliverance and for His providence. Psalm 107 describes the Lord’s deliverance of His people. In what way has the Lord delivered you? Choose a verse from Psalm 107:4-32 that describes your attitude to the Lord for His deliverance. Are you open to sharing your testimony with others of how the Lord has delivered you? Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!

Points to Ponder:
Today, we have so much to be thankful for in our lives.
We live for and worship the God who is good and who has poured out His steadfast love to those whom He has redeemed!
Let the redeemed pour out their gratitude in worship to Him today!

Questions to Consider:
How do I show my gratitude towards others?
How do I show my gratitude to the Lord for all He has done for me?
What has GOD done in your life to make HIM worthy of your thanks?

PRAYER: Father, I want to take this time to thank You for all that You have done for me. You drew me to Yourself even when I was not looking for You. You have been patient as I have struggled with my sin. You never give up on me even when I give up on myself. We thank You for being our Creator, Thank You for being our Father, for our birth into Your family. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for being our Substitute, for being born as a babe, for growing up to demonstrating the goodness of God in all aspects, and ultimately demonstrating that goodness in the greatest of all sacrifices on Calvary where You shed Your blood for us and our salvation. Thank You for raising from the dead, for defeating death and hell. Thank You for being our life so that we might have all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for being our Indweller and Sanctifier, for functioning in us to make us more like Jesus every day, for enveloping us in Your power as we seek to serve and preach the Gospel. Thank You, God, for our salvation, our preservation, and for our ultimate consummation. Thank You for our country, our freedom, and all things good. Praise You, for You are good. For all of this and more, I thank You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If this post in any way, has blessed you,
please share this website and its articles with others:
www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com

30 Days of Thanks & Praise! Day #23 The First Thanksgiving (Psalm 118:24)

The First Thanksgiving (Psalm 118:24)

Psalm 118:24, “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

Americans must never forget the origins of our national Thanksgiving holiday. Its spiritual significance is no longer taught in our nation’s public schools. In fact, most school children today are taught that Thanksgiving originated when the Pilgrims invited their Native American friends to dinner to thank them for their help in troubled times after the Mayflower landed. As with much of modern American revisionist history when the Lord is the focus, He is rejected. America’s Thanksgiving tradition is a time to focus on God and His blessings on us and on our nation. In a year that has provided America with hardships and economic challenges, perhaps it is even more important to focus on God this Thanksgiving and on the good things He has provided in the midst of our difficulties. It is also a year to focus even more on our neighbors and fellow citizens who are hurting to provide a good Thanksgiving for themselves. For Christians, Thanksgiving means more than just turkey and football. Most of us have a vague notion that this holiday began when the Pilgrims invited their Indian neighbors to dinner to thank God for his provisions. But there really is much more to the story.

The Atlantic crossing in the fall of 1620 had been an extremely difficult journey for the Pilgrims. For two months, 102 people were wedged into what was called the “’tween decks”—the cargo space of the boat, which only had about five-and-a-half feet of headroom. No one was allowed above deck because of the terrible storms. This was no pleasure trip, but only one person died during the voyage. The Pilgrims had comforted themselves by singing the Psalms, but this “noise” irritated one of the ship’s paid crewmembers. He told the Pilgrims he was looking forward to throwing some of their corpses overboard after they succumbed to the illnesses that were routine on such voyages. But as it turned out, this crewmember himself was the only person on the voyage to become sick and be thrown overboard. God providentially protected His people. A little-known fact about the Mayflower is that this ship normally carried a cargo of wine; and the wine spillage from previous voyages had soaked the beams, acting as a disinfectant to prevent the spread of disease. During one terrible storm, the main beam of the mast cracked. Death was certain if this beam could not be repaired. At that moment, the whole Pilgrim adventure could very easily have ended on the bottom of the Atlantic. But, providentially, one of the Pilgrims had brought along a large iron screw for a printing press. That screw was used to repair the beam, saving the ship and all on board. After sixty-six days at sea, land was sighted off what is now Cape Cod, Massachusetts. But that was not where the Pilgrims wanted to be. They had intended to establish their new colony in the northern parts of Virginia (which then extended to the Hudson River in modern-day New York), but two factors interrupted their plans. The winds had blown them off course, but they also learned that some other Englishmen who wanted to settle in the same northern part of Virginia had bribed the crew to land them somewhere else. Once again God was in charge and the Pilgrims were right where God wanted them to be. Had they actually landed near the Hudson River, they would have most certainly been attacked by hostile Indians. Instead, there were no Indians on Cape Cod when the Pilgrims made landfall there.

Despite this provision of safety from the Indians, the Pilgrims barely survived their first winter on the Cape. Only four families escaped without burying at least one family member. But God was still faithful. In the spring of 1621, He sent Squanto to them, an Indian who could speak their own language and who offered to teach them how to survive in this strange new land. Squanto was one of the few Indians from that area who had not died of the plague. He had been captured as a young man and taken to England as a slave. During that time, he mastered the English language; and then had been freed and returned to his native territory shortly before the Pilgrims arrived. Probably the most important thing Squanto taught the Pilgrims was how to plant the Indians’ winter staple corn. The Pilgrims thanked God for this wonderful helper, but they also shared with Squanto the most valuable treasure they had brought with them from England—the Gospel. Squanto died within a year or two after coming to the aid of the Pilgrims, but before his death, Squanto expressed to the Pilgrims his faith in their God of Heaven. Other Indians, who Squanto had introduced to the Pilgrims, were also impressed with their God. During the summer of 1621, when it appeared the year’s corn harvest would not survive a severe drought, the Pilgrims called for a day of fasting and prayer. By the end of the day, it was raining. The rain saved the corn, which miraculously sprang back to life. One of the Indians who observed this miracle remarked that their God must be a very great God because when the Indians pow-wowed for rain, it always rained so hard that the corn stalks were broken down. But they noticed that the Pilgrim’s God had sent a very gentle rain that did not damage the corn harvest. It was that same miraculous corn harvest that provided the grain for the Pilgrims’ first Thanksgiving meal with their Indian friends and helpers.

Neighboring colonies later followed the Pilgrims’ example—calling for days of thanksgiving, as well as times of prayer and fasting. In fact, it became common in all the New England colonies to call for a day of prayer and fasting in the spring, and a day of prayer and thanksgiving in the fall. They understood very well that their bountiful harvests came directly from the hand of a beneficent God. Today, many of our public school children are taught that we celebrate Thanksgiving because the Pilgrims were thanking their Indian neighbors for helping them; but the evidence of history clearly shows that on that first Thanksgiving Day the thanks of both Pilgrims and Indians went to God for His great goodness toward them in providing for them all. In fact, with the help of Squanto, the Pilgrims had established a peace agreement with these nearby Indians that remained in place for a half century. But the story does not end there. Even though the Pilgrims hosted the first Thanksgiving dinner in America, the holiday itself actually has its origins almost 170 years later, after the Revolutionary War had been won and our American Constitution had been adopted. In 1789, Congress approved the Bill of Rights, the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution. Congress then “recommended a day of public thanksgiving and prayer” to thank God for blessing America. President Washington declared November 26, 1789, as the first national day of prayer and thanksgiving to the Lord.

Nearly 75 years later, in November 1863, President Abraham Lincoln established the last Thursday in November as a day to acknowledge “Thanksgiving and Praise to our benevolent Father” bestowed upon America, even as winds of war continued to batter a divided nation.. Every president did the same until 1941 when Congress officially made Thanksgiving a national holiday. He said, “The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.” He continued, “No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People.”

Many Americans in the 21st Century seem to believe that we can expect an annual bountiful harvest without continuing to trust and honor the loving God Who alone provides it. As you celebrate Thanksgiving this year, remember to retain the original gratefulness to God that has always been the spirit of this oldest of all American holidays. Continue to remember that it is God alone Who provides. As America is currently facing serious challenges both at home and abroad, let’s join together in giving thanks to God for His blessings and for preserving our nation. Today, we must continue to praise and thank God this Thanksgiving, even as we also petition Him to send us revival and to once again have mercy on America. Let’s make sure that all our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren learn Whose hand of protection has been over America ever since the Pilgrims’ arrival. Now that you know the true story, this Thanksgiving, make sure that your children learn it ,too.

If this post in any way, has blessed you,
please share this website and its articles with others:
www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com

30 Days of Thanks & Praise! Day #22 - Give Thanks (Psalm 103:1-2)

Give Thanks (Psalm 103:1-2)

Psalm 103:1-2, “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.”

Thanksgiving is more than a holiday, it is an action; thanks-giving. Of course, everyone saved and unsaved alike have much to be thankful for. But those of us who know the Lord know who we are grateful to. We don’t simply “give thanks”; we “give thanks unto the Lord for He is good” (Psalm 136:1). So, what do we give thanks to the Lord for? Everything. James 1:17, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”

Abraham Lincoln made the following comments about the establishment of a national holiday of Thanksgiving: “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. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us. It has seemed to me fit and proper that God should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November as a day of Thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father Who dwelleth in the heavens.” President Lincoln realized that were it not for God's richest blessings and infinite mercy, America would not be the great nation she is. He realized the need for thanks even in the midst of terrible fighting in our land, and he directed all Americans to set aside time for a formal day of thanks.

Grace: Every good thing in our lives is because of the grace of God. And it doesn’t end with salvation. Ephesians 2:8–9, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” II Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for thee…”

Instruction: God leads us and guides us—personally and purposefully. Psalm 32:8, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.”

Verses: We can trace our growth and victories over this past year to the specific verses God used to give them to us. II Timothy 3:16, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”

Eternal Life: Those who have the sure hope of Heaven have a profound reason to be thankful. Titus 1:2, “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began.”

Truth: We have a personal relationship with the One who is truth, and we have the truth of the written Word of God. John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 17:17, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

Help: The challenges of life are often beyond our ability, but God has promised to help us. Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Isaiah 41:10, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

Access: The God of the universe invites us to unlimited access to His throne—an access He purchased with His blood. Hebrews 4:15–16, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

Newness of Life: When we trusted Jesus as our Saviour, He gave us new life and an ability to walk in it. II Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” Romans 6:4, “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”

Knowledge: The greatest knowledge that comes into any life is the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ. After we are saved, God multiplies His good gifts of grace and peace as we grow in our knowledge of who He is. II Peter 1:2, “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord…”

Sanctification: God doesn’t leave us to finish the work He began in our lives. He is committed to conforming us to the image of Christ. John 17:3, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” Philippians 1:6, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

If this post in any way, has blessed you,
please share this website and its articles with others:
www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com

30 Days of Thanks & Praise! Day #21 - When Thanks-Giving Becomes Thanks-Living (Psalm 103)

When Thanks-Giving Becomes Thanks-Living (Psalm 103)

One of the most obvious Bible verses related to the matter of thanksgiving is I Thessalonians 5:18, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Also, let’s look at Psalm 103:1-2, “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.”David sought to stir up his inner man to praise the Lord. The word “bless” means “to kneel in praise and adoration.” It’s a call for the soul to give adoration, praise, and worship to a worthy God. We are living in a day when there truly is a drought of praise among the people of God. We would be wise to stir up our own souls to praise the Lord! David warned of the dangers of “forgetting” the “benefits” of the Lord in his life. The word “forget” refers to “a lapse of memory that can cause one to wander”. When we forget what we have in Jesus and who we are in Jesus, there is the danger that might wander away from Him. Praising the Lord keeps us compassionate, clean, and close!

1. Our Saviour.
The things revealed here are causes for thankfulness at all times.)

1. His Abiding Presence - Hebrews 13:5. Regardless of where the path of life leads you, you will never walk alone.

Matthew 28:20; Isaiah 41:10; Deuteronomy 31:5; Joshua 1:5; Psalm 23:4!

B. His Assisting Presence - Hebrews 13:6. The word "helper" has the idea that when we are in need, the Lord is always with us. He is our Comforter - John 14:16.

C. His Anchoring Presence - Hebrews 13:8. What He was then is what He is now! One of our greatest sources of thanksgiving is in the truth that Jesus never changes! From before creation on into eternity, Jesus has never, and will never change! He is still "I AM!" He still possesses all power in heaven and earth (Matthew 28:18). We can always be thankful for our Saviour!

David identified eight spiritual reasons that should encourage our hearts to offer God thanksgiving and praise, not just in November, but on every day of the year.

God’s Forgiveness. Psalm 103:3a. In Him, all sin is gone! (I John 1:7; Colossians 2:13-14; Ephesians 1:7)

God’s Healing. Psalm 103:3b. In Him, the soul is made whole! (Psalm 107:1-22)

God’s Redemption. Psalm 103:4a. In Him, we stand redeemed! (Revelation 5:9; Galatians 4:5; I Peter 1:18-19)

God’s Grace. Psalm 103:4b. In Him, we have received grace, mercy, compassion, salvation, and eternal blessings, Psalm 103:8-18!

God’s Peace. Psalm 103:5. In Him, we have been given spiritual satisfaction, and sufficient strength for the journey. (II Corinthians 12:9; Isaiah 41:10; Philippians 4:13; Colossians 1:11)

God’s Intercession. Psalm 103:6. In Him, we have One Who pleads our case! (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25; I John 2:2)

God’s Revelation. Psalm 103:7. In Him, FRIEND - we can know Him, Fellowship with Him and Follow Him!

God’s Sovereignty. Psalm 103:19. In Him, we can rest in His control of all things! (Romans 8:28; Psalm 37:23; Job 23:10)
​
2. Our Salvation.
A. The Price of It. Hebrews 13:9.
We can thank God that salvation is given without cost to us, Isaiah 55:1; Revelation 22:17. Our salvation cost God the life of His Son (John 3:16).

B. The Pain of It. Hebrews 13:12. For us the price was free, for God, the price was unimaginable! His death on the cross is what provided salvation for us!

We have only scratched the surface of His blessings! Take a close look at the real blessings of the Lord! Let us be thankful for all the things He gives us. Let us not take them for granted. But let us learn to be more thankful for those things which we can never lose! Our thanksgiving and our praise ought to be in direct proportion to our blessings. Are they? This would be a great time for God’s people to stir up the inner man and call on our soul to “bless the Lord”. It would be a great time to take a spiritual inventory and thank Him for everything He has done for you in Jesus!

If this post in any way, has blessed you,
please share this website and its articles with others:
www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com

30 Days of Thanks & Praise! Day #20 - Lord, Thank You for My Godly Wife (Proverbs 18:22)

Lord, Thank You for My Godly Wife (Proverbs 18:22)

Proverbs 18:22, “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.”

Christ is THE Friend which sticketh closer than a brother. A beautiful picture has been painted of the intimate fellowship of the Church and Christ when HE returns for her. Today I want to say thank you LORD for my wife, Joy. She is truly a work of art from the Hands of Almighty God, the Master Artist. I thank the LORD for allowing me to marry a wonderful person like her. I praise the LORD for her character, devotion, and integrity because it has both deepened and developed our marriage. I thank Him for a wife who shares 100% of her life with me. I thank the LORD that she fears HIM (Proverbs 31:30). I can honestly say, that HER NAME supersedes the value of both silver and gold (Proverbs 22:1).

Marriage can be illustrated in our relationship with the Lord. You know that anyone can love while living on the mountain peaks, but it takes grace to love someone and to remain in love with them while down in the valleys. It is easy for people love the LORD while the sun is shining, but when the dark clouds are overhead their love can begin to decrease and fade away. When the sailing is smooth, it is easiest to follow, but in the storms of life, it is easy for ones faith to begin to falter and hearts begin to grow cold. But true faith and loyalty in Christ keeps our hearts going, growing, and glowing with love for HIM even during the most difficult times of our life.

Thanks for loving me when I had Enemies and needed a True Friend! (Proverbs 17:17, 18:24)
You’ve never given me bad counsel. You’ve never betrayed me. You’ve always followed faithfully by my side when entering into “FOREIGN LANDS”. ha ha! You’ve always remained loyal to me when I was rejected by others.

Thanks for loving me when I was Erring and needed to hear the Truth Frankly! (Galatians 6:1)
In spite of my many faults and failures, you’ve been a faithful companion. You’ve loved and cared for me enough to give me the right advice even though I didn’t want to hear it.

Thanks for loving me when I was Empty (barren) and needed Tuned-Up Frequently! (Proverbs 27:17)
During those times in my life, you’ve always comforted me with fruitfulness and fulfillment.

I want to share a few things that I really love about her. This is a short list, for truly it could be much, much longer.

1. She’s godly. I love being married to a lady who loves the Lord with all her heart and allows her love for the Lord to flow into every other relationship and responsibility.

2. She’s shared the vision. She’s always accepted the Lord’s will for our lives, and she’s given her whole heart completely and in faith to allow the Lord to accomplish His vision for our lives and marriage.

3. She’s a wonderful wife.
I believe love in a marriage is strongest when you realize your spouse loves you in spite of who you are. This is how Joy loves me. Though I’ve often frustrated her, she looks beyond those frustrations and loves me faithfully, which has compelled me more than anything else to grow and ask God to make me the husband she deserves.

4. She’s a gifted secretary. Joy’s heart truly beats for the Lord, myself, and her church. She’s has so diligently given herself for over 23 years. Her sacrifice defies description.

5. She’s a faithful co-laborer. Whether it’s working in the school, counseling a teen girl, helping plan a youth activity, teaching a class, taking a group soulwinning, or just loving and embracing life in the ministry—she’s embraced my call as her own. It’s awesome to serve the Lord together.

6. She’s a talented home-maker. It’s an awesome experience to just come home to such a delightful environment. Her heart is in her home and for her family in an amazing way. Home truly is a special, delightful place.

7. She’s honest. She not going sugar-coat it. You’re going to know where and how she stands on issues.

8. She’s my joy—Acts 20:24. She is my help-meet.

9. She’s my best friend. We never get tired of spending time together, and when we’re apart, we’re counting the hours until we’re back together. Being with her is truly a joy in life. She’s made this husband one very blessed, very happy, and very well-cared for man.

10. She loves GOD more than she loves me. If this were not the case, then I would come between she and God.

To that end—I simply say, “THANK YOU LORD, FOR MY VERY BEST FRIEND!” Joy, you truly are the BEST!

If this post in any way, has blessed you,
please share this website and its articles with others:
www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com

30 Days of Thanks & Praise! Day #19 - Lord, Thank You for the Servants Like Hur (Exodus 17:8-13)

Lord, Thank You for the Servants Like Hur (Exodus 17:8-13)

Even God's people must experience a number of trials, and they often pile up quickly one upon another. But trials are not without profit…if we react to the trial properly. They can strengthen our faith and help us grow spiritually. Have you ever been in a difficult situation or trial and wondered what God was trying to do in your life, or teach you? We can be troubled, or we can trust in the Lord. Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”What do we do when some crisis stares us in the face? No crisis is more threatening and frightening than war that is launched right at one's back yard. When the enemies of life attack us, our duty is to go before the LORD and cry out to Him for victory. When our circumstances overwhelm us, we put our trust in the Lord. We all need holding up. We all need our arms, or our faith, propped up by the arms, or faith, of another.

Moses used spiritual weapons. Moses’ actions demonstrated that he was dependent on God for victory. The battle was the Lord’s. He went to the hillside and raised his shepherd’s staff, a symbol of God’s presence, His promises, and His power (Exodus 17:8-12). When Moses lowered his hands, they began to lose the battle (Exodus 17:11). Aaron and Hur helped Moses by giving him a seat and holding up his hands (Exodus 17:12). The result was that they overwhelmed the enemy (Exodus 17:13). Sometimes the Lord fights for His people (as at the Red Sea), and sometimes through His people (here at Rephidim). Raising one’s arms is a sign of dependent prayer; He intercedes for us (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25). When Moses’ hands were held up as a sign of intercession, Israel prevailed in the battle. When Moses' hands were allowed to fall down, Amalek prevailed. After a while, Moses became to weary to hold his own hands up, so Aaron and Hur stepped up and held Moses' hands up until the battle was finished.

Allow me to share with you 3 characteristics of servants like Hur that make them very special to the Kingdom work of God. Today, I want to tell you why I thank God for servants like Hur. Servants like Hur are:

1. Absolutely Invaluable (Exodus 17:12)
Moses was unable to hold his hands up, and if they fell, the Amalekites would certainly have won the battle. However, Aaron and Hur stepped forth and held the hands of Moses up until the battle was won. The task Hur accomplished that day doesn't sound like a lot, however, had it not been for the work of this man, Moses would not have had the strength to do his job and Joshua would never have been able to lead Israel to victory in the battle. Had they not been there, the battle would have been lost and Israel would have been defeated! The job they performed was absolutely invaluable! I’m thankful for the people who are praying and serving in their local church. Prior to me approaching the pulpit to preach, I know that some saint of God has spent hours before the Lord on my behalf.

2. Always Involved (Exodus 17:8-10, 12)
Hur wasn't a great leader like Moses. He wasn't a great General like Joshua. He wasn't a great High Priest like Aaron. He wasn't a warrior like those in the army. He was just Hur. The Bible does tell us on this day, there was one thing Hur could do and he did it willingly, actively, and faithfully. He could hold up hands and he did the best job he could! Remember that the Lord has placed us in His body in the place that pleased Him (I Corinthians 12:4-27). Therefore, whether we are a highly visible part of the body, or an unnoticed part, we are all essential to the proper functioning of the body of Christ! NOTICE: The whole idea here is that while we can't do everything, we can do what we can do! Remember the words of Jesus to Mary in Mark 14:8, “She hath done what she could.” It isn’t important if you can’t do what others can do, it is important that you do what you can do. Listen and obey the Lord’s leading and He will bless your life! Thank God for those people who know they can't do everything, but are determined to do something!

3. At Times Invisible. (Exodus 17:12)
I praise the Lord for everyone who is faithful behind the scenes! When William Booth, the founder of The Salvation Army, felt the call of the Lord to go into the streets of London and begin ministering to street people, he stood in a Methodist Conference meeting and requested permission from the presiding bishop to be released from his church to go into the streets and preach. The bishop heard the request and denied it telling Booth that they would not waste a man of his education and talent on the people of the streets. Upon hearing this, Booth sat down, resigned to defeat. His wife was seated in the balcony, because women were not allowed on the first floor. She stood up and leaned over the rail. She called to her husband and told him to listen to God and not to man. She vowed to stand with her husband against every foe. She came down from the balcony, Booth took her by the arm and they left the building to go into the streets to win people to Jesus. He was ready to quit, but his wife, a lady who usually stayed in the background, stepped out of the shadow of her husband to hold up his arms at a critical time in his life!

I am almost sure that there are some who are reading this devotion who can relate to Hur.

If this post in any way, has blessed you,
please share this website and its articles with others:
www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com