America The Unthankful and Doomed - David Pepe -
Well my dear friends... we have arrived at another Thanksgiving Day and we as a nation are more unthankful than ever. It is indeed a sign of the times that we as a nation - founded on moral absolutes and the rule of law - are at a final fatal decline. When millions of Americans receive government befits and many of those have no intention of working or being accountable and are addicted to moral relativism and decadence the jig is up my dear friends. This past 8 years has showed us that it absolutely pays to be slothful, lazy, greedy, self-serving, lawless, deviant, decadent, deceivers and swindlers, all to serve the narcissistic nature of millions as they hide behind the fortified titled wall, "the poor". It will be these very individuals who this Thanksgiving will have nothing to be thankful about for they are all takers and not thankers. The majority of these have been bred and raised with an entitlement attitude and have become the greediest of all Americans. They are moochers and takers, idol and swift to exercise their lawlessness and greed. The socially dependent and government addicts of socialism are more greedy then all the Wall Street bankers and brokers put together.
These expect something for nothing and are absolutely void of self respect (Rom. 1:28-32). These believe that they have a right to all that they desire and others should pay their tab to feed their godless passions and sloth. It is absolutely tragic, for in their dependent and socialistic greed they have allowed the state and Satan to hold over them a ceiling of tyranny and remove from them their personal accountability and personal responsibility to society and to Almighty God (2 Tim. 4:1-7). The majority of these individuals (red, yellow, black and white) whose lives revolve around their narcissistic ambitions this Thanksgiving Day will be UNTHANKFUL to Almighty God their Creator and to the American working taxpayers who make their slothful and lawless existence accessible to the idle playground in which they indulge themselves in (Rom 1:18-32, 2 Tim 3:1-7, Jude 1:10). Almighty God is NOT a respecter of persons and will Judge all in that Day according to His RIGHTEOUS STANDARD, the LORD Jesus Christ (Rom. 10:2-4, Rev. 20:11-15). To these, America is the "Land of Give It To Me" and NOT the Land of opportunity.
Another group of Americans that covers the whole political spectrum (Left and Right) are those that work and do provide for themselves. It will be this Thanksgiving that these will get together and enjoy the fruits of their labors with family and friends. They will eat, drink and be merry NEVER once bowing their heads to Almighty God with thanksgiving (Rom. 1:20-21). To these, Thanksgiving Day has become all about THEM and their families. That is what Thanksgiving Day has become here in America. America - whether on the dole or off of it - has highjacked Thanksgiving Day and instead of thanking Almighty God they have become UNTHANKFUL to Him and have EXCLUDED Him (Rom. 1:18-21). These will indulge in the bountiful provisions of this nation oblivious that it is Almighty God from whom all blessing flow. When a nation which was founded on Judeo/Christian values has turn their backs to reality and have gone a whoring after the "gods" of godless moral relativism and self gratitude what hope is there for her?
On both accounts (the dependent and sufficient), I have personally seen and experienced harsh people and dear people exclude Almighty God on a Day that was set apart to remember Him. Godlessness and unthankfulness to Almighty God exists throughout the political spectrum and is found just as much in conservatism as in liberalism. A thankful heart will acknowledge Almighty God in spirit and truth and an unthankful heart will not (John 3:19-21, 4:24). The victicrats live as lords and the successful as kings. We as a nation today take everything for granted. We have more than any individuals throughout history have ever had and yet we are unthankful and unsatisfied. Kings have never eaten and had such possessions as we do here today that we look at as common and simple. We as a nation have been over run with want and greed and there is no stopping us.
We as a nation are NOT content and are NOT satisfied. We want, want, want and none of it EVER feeds our famished soul (Eccl. 3; 2 Peter 2:10-14). Only Almighty God the ETERNAL can do that! From conservatism to liberalism, from the rich to the middle class to the entitled victicrat to those who are truly poor, personal gain trumps Almighty God and His ETERNAL saving solution for the individual today. We as a nation today have chosen government in place of the Savior. We have chosen materialism in place of spiritualism (Luke, 12:16-23, James5:1-6). We have chosen a delusional moral relativism in place of REALITY (Rom.1:18-32, 2 Tim. 3:1-7, 2 Peter 2:1-2). We have chosen self created "good works" instead of Almighty God's RIGHTEOUSNESS (Rom. 10:2-4). We have chosen our wants, desires and wishes over our desperate need for a Savior (Prov. 27:20, 2 Peter 2:10-14). We have desired and chosen the temporal comforts and delusions of this fallen world over the ETERNAL REALITIES of peace, rightness and immortality (Isa. 28:15, 32:17, Rom. 14:17, Gal. 5:19-23, James 3:18); and yes my dear friends, we as a nation have in our heart of hearts have chosen death, Hell and Satan over the ETERNAL LOVE, PERSON AND BLISS of Almighty God (Isa.28:15, 1 Cor. 2:9, Rev. 21, 22:1-5). An unthankful heart and a heart that cannot express true thankfulness to the God of ALL creation is indeed a wasteland and a desolation ripe for Hell's ETERNAL prison hold (i.e., The Lake of Fire) - Rom. 1;21-22, Rev. 20:11-15. This is where we are as a nation today.
My dear friends there is a remnant (Isa. 1:4-9) throughout this nation today that still chooses to follow Almighty God and knows His Son as their personal Savior as the Holy Scriptures so teach (John 1:12). They are thankful daily for all that Almighty God has provided for them (in time and in ETERNITY) and they are found throughout the social classes today (1 Cor. 10:31). Sadly these are outcasts, rejected and scoffed at by the political parties of today and this godless nation. UNTHANKFULNESS has engulfed our nation and it has taking its toll on our society and culture. We have much my beloved to be thankful for today and everyday. Thanksgiving Day is the norm for the child of God who desires God's will for their lives and fully appreciates the Savior's ETERNAL LOVE (Col. 3:16, Phil. 4:4).
Paul warned us what would be the climate of the Last Days and we are fully there as a nation and a world.
Paul stated;
"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." (2 Tim. 3:1-7)
The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!
A Thanksgiving Heritage - Bill Wilson -
Note: I want to share with you some of my heritage which has become part of the heritage of America. My grandfather 13 generations back was William Bradford, co-writer of the Mayflower Compact, inventor of the free market system, and governor of the Plymouth colony for over 30 years. I would like to share some insights of and from his writings in "Of Plymouth Plantation."
In the days leading up to the first "Thanksgiving" of the Pilgrims, they had dispatched a group of ten men to "explore the bay and trade with the natives." They were guided by the English speaking Squanto, who also served as an interpreter. When the men returned, they were very impressed with the land around the bay and wished they could have settled there instead of Cape Cod. William Bradford, wrote however, "But it seems that the Lord, Who assigns to all men the bounds of their habitations, had appointed it for another use. And thus they found the Lord to be with them in all their ways, and to bless their outgoings and incomings, for which let His holy name have the praise forever, to all posterity."
This "Thanksgiving" to the Lord offered by Bradford in his history "Of Plymouth Plantation" indicates that Jesus was at the center of his thoughts about all things--even the land they were allocated by God to begin their colony. It also forebears testimony to the very positive Christian witness and relations the Pilgrims maintained with the Indians. This comment was followed immediately by Bradford's account of the harvest in October 1621. Bradford writes, "Each person had about a peck of meal a week, or now since harvest, Indian corn in that proportion; and afterwards many wrote at length about their plenty to their friends in England--not feigned but true reports."
One of those true reports is found in "Mourt's Relation" by Pilgrim Edward Winslow--the only account of the first "Thanksgiving." Winslow writes: "our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together, after we had gathered the fruits of our labors...at which time amongst other recreations, we exercised our Arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and amongst the rest their greatest king Massasoyt, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five deer, which they brought to the Plantation and bestowed on our Governor, and upon the Captain and others."
Winslow concluded, "And although it be not always so plentiful, as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want, that we often wish you partakers of our plenty." Thanks to the godly men and women who came before us, even in our decline we remain blessed more than any other nation on earth. Jeremiah 4:2 says that if God's people return to Him, "And thou shalt swear, The Lord liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in Him, and in Him shall they glory." This is a promise to the nations. So today, as should be our practice each day, may you have a Psalm 103:2 day, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits."
Daily Devotion: Always Thankful - By Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org
In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. -1 Thessalonians 5:18
A hospital chaplain kept a record of 2,000 patients he had known who were apparently in a dying condition and had shown signs of repentance. He reported that of those who were restored to health, only two showed what he felt were marked changes in their spiritual lives after their recovery.
In other words, when people thought they were dying, they wanted God's help. But once they had recovered, they forgot about Him. They continued to live the way they wanted to live.
Far too often we ask God for help, but when He gives it, we don't offer Him any thanks in return. What would you think of a person who was always asking for resources and favors and never took the time to thank you? (Actually, I think we call them children.)
It is one thing to give thanks when things are going well, but we can give thanks even when times are hard. Think of David and the beautiful psalms that he penned. One of my favorites is Psalm 63: "Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name" (verses 3-4).
We may think David wrote those words while he was kicking back on a beautiful, sunny day. But actually he wrote Psalm 63 when he was in exile in the wilderness, running from his son, Absalom, who wanted to take his throne. In the midst of his anguish and personal pain, he wrote, "Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. . . ."
We can praise the Lord in good times, but we can also praise Him in bad times. Are you giving Him the praise that He deserves?
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Thanks Giving - Nathele Graham - twotug@embarqmail.com
"[[A Psalm of praise.]] Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations." Psalm 100:1-5.
It's good to be thankful unto the Lord. It's more than good, it's necessary. We have so much to thank Him for, but we seldom take time to say "Thank You, Lord". Sometimes we are blinded by our troubles, but there's always a blessing in every situation. Psalm 107 is a good place to start a study on being thankful to the Lord. "O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;" Psalm 107:1-2. This psalm begins by looking back on the history of the Israelites and their release from Egyptian slavery. They faced difficulties they faced as they wandered in the wilderness. Their wandering was caused by the fact that they didn't trust God, but He never left them. "Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!"Psalm 107:31. Christians we have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb and taken from the hand of our enemy Satan. We will face many troubles as we walk along our Christian path, but how many times have our troubles been caused because we didn't trust the Lord or because we made ungodly choices. "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Hebrews 13:5. The word "conversation" is the King James word for the way you conduct your life. Christians need to be more like Christ and we need to give thanks to Him because He never will leave us nor will He forsake us. Even when we rebel against His ways He's always there. That's something we need to be thankful for.
The most beautiful words of thanks giving and praise can be found in the Psalms. David's songs of praise didn't always start with all the good things God had done for him, but he praised God in spite of the things that went wrong. David faced many trials but he always loved the Lord and was filled with thanks giving. "Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; to the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever." Psalm 30:11-12. David wrote many of the psalms during dark times in his life and Psalm 35 is one of those. He wrote of people who were against him and asked God to come against them. Knowing that God will rescue him he writes "I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people." Psalm 35:18. It's easy to thank God when things are going our way, but looking forward to God's grace and mercy in times of testing is important. "And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long." Psalm 35:28. Be thankful in the good times and also in the bad times. Always rejoice and give thanks to God. "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice." Philippians 4:4.
Jeremiah was another man who had faced many troubles in his life. He was a prophet of God and a faithful man, but this didn't exempt him from being afflicted by troubles. It can be easy to get angry with God when things don't go our way, but Jeremiah saw his afflictions as a way that God disciplined him and helped him grow. A parent only disciplines their beloved child, and so God will discipline his children when necessary. Jeremiah took this as something to be thankful for. "It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23. The word translated "mercies" means "goodness, kindness, faithfulness". The Lord truly is merciful and there is no greater evidence of His love and mercy than the fact that He chose to sacrifice Himself for our salvation. "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8. Even in times of testing are you thankful for the salvation you have through Jesus' shed blood on the cross? Don't forget to thank Him.
Daniel was a man who had unwavering faith in God and thanked Him no matter what the circumstances. Some of the advisors to King Darius wanted Daniel to be removed and conspired to enact a law that they knew Daniel couldn't comply with. They urged the king to issue a decree making it illegal to pray to any God or man except the king. There would be a strong penalty if a person was caught praying. They would be thrown into the lion's den. What did Daniel do? "Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime." Daniel 6:10. Most of us know that Daniel was thrown to the lion's den but unless you read the background to that event you don't know why. Scripture tells us that we are to obey the laws of the land, but Daniel's actions show that the law of the land is subordinate to God. Daniel didn't stage a protest or change his routine in order to go against the law. He just continued to openly do what he always did...he prayed and gave thanks to God. God protected him, but things didn't go so good for his enemies. Read the story and see how trusting God brings justice in His time and in His way. Many governments today persecute Christians and public prayers are outlawed. "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." Philippians 4:6. The Apostle Paul spent a lot of time facing persecution because of his faith but he never compromised. He encouraged those who read his letters to pray and give thanks. "In every thing give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18. There are things we cannot be thankful "for", but we can be thankful "in" all things. The blessing may not be clear as you go through a time of sorrow or testing, but if you make a habit to pray with thanksgiving , when the troubled times happen you'll automatically go to God and your faith will give you strength.
Praise and thanksgiving to God is not limited to this mortal life. The Apostle John was given a prophetic look into the future. Christians will soon be Raptured and the scenes he describes of the throne room of God are awesome. "And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen." Revelation 7:11-12. Among the words used here in praise of God is "thanksgiving". When we get to Heaven we'll see what we can only speculate upon now...the majesty of God. There's only one way to spend eternity in Heaven and that is to place your faith in Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross. Don't wait until we're gathered around His throne to begin thanking Him. Start today and don't stop.
The United States of America (as well as a few other countries) has set aside a day to give thanks. We call that day Thanksgiving. This day was set aside to remember God's blessings on the Pilgrims who travelled across the ocean to escape religous persecution and establish a community where God could be freely worshipped. It's also to remember that God continues to bless us. Sadly, this day has come to mean very little as far as being thankful to God. Family and friends may gather together for a special meal of turkey, dressing, and all the fixings but it's hard to pull the family away from the television. Football games and parades dominate the air waves and these things seem to be the main focus of the day instead of taking time to remember our blessings and thank God. Too often we take things for granted and forget to thank God for all He provides. We forget that all blessings come from God. "Praise God from whom all blessings flow". His praise should always be upon our lips and we should honor Him with a thankful heart. "That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." Matthew 5:45. God's blessings fall on everyone, but not everyone is thankful to Him. In this day and age of secular humanism I have to wonder if anyone stops to thank God for the sun and the rain. Who does an atheist thank for their blessings?
Christians have more to be thankful for than anyone else on earth. We recognize that we are sinners but have accepted the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ for redemption. Our eternity is secure and nothing can take it from us. Now there's something to be thankful for. Honor Him with thanks giving.
God bless you all,
Nathele Graham
| Remember to Give Thanks - By Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org
And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. -Luke 17:15-16
The Bible tells the story of ten men who had a lot to give thanks for. They were miraculously touched by Jesus. Prior to this touch, they were complete outcasts, the very scourge of society. These men had leprosy, and you couldn't get any lower in that particular time in history with this incurable disease.
If a man was found to have leprosy, he could have no contact with others. He had to leave his house and his friends and live apart from them. So here were these men living an isolated, miserable, lonely life. But they heard about Jesus. They heard how He had touched others and healed them.
So they called out to the Lord and asked for His healing touch. Now these men were standing before Jesus in various stages of decay. Their clothing would have been ripped from perpetual mourning. Their skeletal heads would have been uncovered. They would have been required, according to the Law of Moses, to cry out, "Unclean! Unclean!" wherever they went.
But Jesus did not respond to them with special effects or even a dramatic touch. He simply said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests" (Luke 17:14). So that is what they did. And guess what? They were healed.
Yet only one decided to go back and give thanks. The Bible tells us he was a Samaritan, which may not mean a lot to us. But normally, Jews and Samaritans had no dealings with each other. The Jews looked down on the Samaritans. Yet it wasn't one of the sons of Abraham that came to give thanks; it was a Samaritan. And he was commended for this.
We are so quick to ask for God's help, but let's remember to be just as quick in giving Him praise when He comes through.
Planning for Thanksgiving - Bill Wilson -
Across the United States, Americans are preparing for the holiday of Thanksgiving, except that many do not know exactly why we celebrate this wonderful day, and many others believe it is a day of sorrow. Anything in American culture that would portray people in a reverent and humble position toward God Almighty is subject to criticism and Thanksgiving is not exempt. Every year, the godless seek to chip away at the history of this blessed holiday that reminds us as a nation of our roots in thanking God for His many benefits. For example, in 2007 the Seattle Public School system attacked Thanksgiving by instructing its staff to deconstruct Thanksgiving by using a bitter account by a native American advocacy group.
In a letter to Seattle Public School staff, Caprice D. Hollins, the Director of Equity, Race and Learning Support, along with two representatives of Native American Education, directed the staff to the Oyate Web page entitled "Deconstructing the Myths of the First Thanksgiving." The letter says the website "offers suggestions on ways to be sensitive of diverse experiences and perspectives and still make the holiday meaningful for all students. Here you will discover ways to help you and your students think critically, and find resources where you can learn about Thanksgiving from a Native American perspective. Eleven myths are identified about Thanksgiving, take a look at #11 and begin your own deconstruction."
This 2007 website and it's 11 so-called "myths" hardly documented anything from the true historic account of the Plymouth Plantation, written by Mayflower passenger William Bradford, who is considered the nation's first historian. The myths were a collection of bitter politically correct drivel. Myth number 11 recounted as fact: "For many Indian people, "Thanksgiving" is a time of mourning, of remembering how a gift of generosity was rewarded by theft of land and seed corn, extermination of many from disease and gun, and near total destruction of many more from forced assimilation. As currently celebrated in this country, "Thanksgiving" is a bitter reminder of 500 years of betrayal returned for friendship."
In "Of Plymouth Plantation," Bradford writes of how the Indians stole tools from the settlers and after an English speaking Indian named Samoset came to their camp, they became friends, the tools were returned and "With him, after friendly entertainment and some gifts, they made a peace which has now continued for twenty-four years." The peace agreement set forth how the Pilgrims and the Indians would help and protect each other by living in peace. The bitter politically correct crowd has it wrong. The first Thanksgiving, as it was then and is today, is a 1 Chronicles 16:34 day, "O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endures for ever." And don't let the lies of deceivers spoil it.
Remembering to Say Thanks - By Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org
Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! -Psalm 107:8
In the Old Testament, we find an interesting story of how King Jehoshaphat took an uncommon approach when his enemies waged war against him. Instead of sending in his army first, he sent the choir and musicians.
Imagine the scene: "All right, guys, here's the plan today. An army is out there, armed to the teeth. So we are sending in the choir and the musicians." If I had been a choir member or musician, I might have wondered whether the king liked our music.
But God had directed Jehoshaphat in this unusual battle tactic. We read that Jehoshaphat appointed people to sing to the Lord, praise the beauty of holiness, and go out in front of the army saying, "Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever" (2 Chronicles 20:21).
So that is exactly what they did. The Bible tells us that when they began to sing and praise, God sent an ambush against the enemy, and they were destroyed. God's people were able to go into this situation giving thanks, because He was in control.
In approaching God to ask for new blessings, we should never forget to thank Him for the blessings He has already given.
Have you recently come to God for help and He came through for you? Did you come back to say "thank you"?
If we would stop and think how many of the prayers we have offered to God have been answered and how seldom we come back to God to thank Him, it just might amaze us. We should be just as deliberate in giving thanks to God as we are in asking for His help.
Hope Deferred Makes The Heart Sick - Bill Wilson - www.dailyjot.com
Many believe that Thanksgiving is a uniquely American holiday. Our ministry partner in Ghana, however, has taken this US holiday to the poor and less fortunate by providing clean water, and feeding and clothing children in the rural areas of the nation. Several hundred were served because of your generosity to The Daily Jot. This is a story from our "thanksgiving" table in Ghana in the words of Pastor William Agbeti. It shows just how desperate people can become, how many needs there are to fill, and how the blessing of your donation, whatever the size, to The Daily Jot brings hope to those who often have little hope. It also shows how the Lord directs us to recognize additional needs.
Agbeti wrote: "We went out there with the sole purpose of giving free meals and used clothing to children at a local church, Springs of Life Ministry. It turned out this simple act of love brought to the fore latent challenges in the church and its community. As the FEEDING PROGRAM was announced in church and church members were asked to spread the news and invite needy children and their parents to church, some church members went out of the way to tell invited guests they would be supported with money. As a result, some parents came early and found out there wasn't going to be any free money. They felt very disappointed, angry and hopeless.
"We had to apologize to them and rebuke those who sent out the wrong information at a meeting after the program. Many parents wanted to know if our MINISTRIES would also consider supporting their wards with school expenses in the sum of $15 per month. Some parents also needed help with jobs. Proverbs 13:12 says: "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But desire fulfilled is a tree of life." We were so touched by the plight of the parents, but all the same thankful that the situation revealed some latent challenges in the community, quite unknown to the church. Also, the entire feeding program greatly challenged the local church, Springs of Life Ministry.
"This led to a revelation that many local churches had all along been doing church wrongly, unlike the days of Acts. Desirous of knowing what to do in the circumstances, the leadership of the church asked: "Brethren, what do we do?" We offered to teach the local church how to start a feeding program and solicit help for used clothing, meals and funding for school expenses for the poor in their midst. We know it's not easy because we have not had it easy, yet we will go ahead to encourage the church to launch out with faith to help its members and the community, and God will also definitely do His part. All these developments, that are hopefully leading to a much better way of doing church at the Springs of Life Ministry, is made possible by the faithful support of donors like you. THANK YOU."
A Prerequisite for Giving Thanks - By Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org
For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! -2 Corinthians 4:17
To give thanks, we must realize as Christians that God is in control of all circumstances that surround our lives, both good and bad.
In 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 we are told, "For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever."
The apostle Paul also wrote, "And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow-not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love" (Romans 8:38). God loves you, and He is always looking for your eternal benefit. God is wiser than we are. And if He tells us to not do something, He does so for good reason.
Now, the devil doesn't want you to believe that. He would whisper in your ear, "God hates you. God wants to ruin your life. All those rules in the Bible are just there to make life miserable. You Christians serve an oppressive God who doesn't want you to have any fun."
What a bunch of nonsense. I've lived apart from Christ. I've had the so-called fun this world has to offer, and it wasn't fun at all. I've also found that a life with Christ is a life of fulfillment and purpose.
We must realize that God loves us and is always looking out for our eternal benefit, even if what we are presently going through is difficult.
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