WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THANKSGIVING

How do you react to adversity? When everything in going good,
and going our way, it’s easy to praise the Lord.
But when our plans are disrupted, and we have a mountain of
bills to face, or our health fails, thankfulness seems to disappear.
It’s easy to let these things really cloud our thinking, and cause us
to slip into discouragement, and degrees of deep depression.
The Apostle Paul writes to the church at Thessalonica and
encourages them (and us) to look at the benefits of thanksgiving.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 we find two instructions on thanksgiving,
that will keep us in the positive, and truly bless our lives.
1. THE EXTENT OF THANKSGIVING
(1 Thessalonians 5:18a)
“In everything give thanks”
2. THE EXPECTATION OF THANKSGIVING
(1 Thessalonians 5:18b)
“For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
“COUNT”
Count your blessings instead of your crosses.
Count your gains instead of your losses.
Count your joys instead of your woes.
Count your friends instead of your foes.
Count your smiles instead of your tears.
Count your courage instead of your fears
Count your full years instead of your lean.
Count your kind deeds instead of your mean.
Count your health instead of your wealth.
Count on God instead of yourself ___Selected.

BLESSINGS OF THE NEW AND LIVING WAY

As we enter into a time of Thanksgiving, I would like for us to look at what the Hebrew writer says is the greatest blessing of all. Because of what Jesus did for us on the cross of Calvary, we now have access to the presence of God. Back in Old Testament times, the only one who could approach God on behalf of the people, was the high priest. Once a year, he entered the most holy place, and sprinkled the blood of the animals, on the mercy seat, of the Ark of the Covenant. This was to atone for the sins of the people. But now because our eternal high priest, Jesus Christ, was the sacrifice for our sins, the veil that separated the most holy place from the rest of the temple, was torn from top to bottom. This means that now each one who has surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ, has personal access to the throne of God.
This is truly the greatest blessing one could have.
To enjoy a personal fellowship with the God of the universe, is truly the greatest blessing of all.
In Hebrews 10:19-25 The Hebrew writer breaks down for us the elements of this wonderful blessing. Because of our Lord Jesus Christ, we can..
1. DRAW NEAR (Hebrews 10:22)
2. HOLD FAST TO OUR CONFESSION (Hebrews 10:23)
3. CONSIDER ONE ANOTHER (Hebrews 10:24)
4. ASSEMBLE OURSELVES TOGETHER
(Hebrews 10:25)

THE QUALITY OF SACRIFICE

Veteran's Day not only calls us to remember those who
gave their lives for our country, but also calls us to
a desire, a privilege, a responsibility that we as
American citizens, and Christians have;
and that is: To Sacrifice
The Apostle Paul describes this kind of sacrifice in
Romans 12:1 "I beseech you therefore brethren, by the
mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living
sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your
reasonable service.
What motivates this kind of sacrifice? Love
Paul does not say "I command you: But "I beseech you
because of what God has already done for you."
We do not serve God in order to receive His mercies,
because we already have them. (3:21-8:39)
We must ask ourselves this question:
How much do we love the Lord?
If we love Him all our heart, soul, and strength, then
we will offer to God this kind of sacrifice, Paul talks about
here.
Let;s look briefly at the qualities of this sacrifice:
1. THIS SACRIFICE IS TO BE A LIVING SACRIFICE
(Romans 12:1a)
2. THIS SACRIFICE IS TO BE A HOLY SACRIFICE
(Romans 12:1b)
3. THIS SACRIFICE MUST BE ACCEPTABLE UNTO GOD
(Romans 12:1c)
4. THIS SACRIFICE IS TO BE A REASONABLE SERVICE
(Romans 12:1d)

Walking In The Way Of The Lord

Isaiah 30:18-33
Sennacherib, King of Assyria, was planning to attack Israel.
Instead of turning to God for help, King Hezekiah, who was
King of Israel at the time, sought help from Pharaoh of
Egypt. This did not at all please the Lord.
Theme: Here's the question: Do we trust in things that
cannot help us?
BJ Thomas, in one of his songs, says that when he
was down, he looked around for his friends, and found out
real quick, that he didn't have any friends.
But he found the Lord to be his best friend.
In this passage of Scripture, we find that those who wait
on the Lord, and desire to walk in His way will experience
blessings: Such as:
1. ANSWERED PRAYER (Isaiah 30:18-19)
2. GOD'S GUIDANCE (Isaiah 30:20-21)
3. CLEANSING (Isaiah 30:22)
4. FRUITFULNESS (Isaiah 30:23-26)
5. VICTORY (Isaiah 30:27-33)

OUR FOOD: TO DO THE WILL OF GOD

A nearby resturant was having a drawing for a 10 speed bike.
So a mother took her son to enter the drawing. She handed
her son an entry blank, and his question was; "Just one"
And he promptly began filling out a handful."
Well son" she said, "You know that if the Lord wants you to
win that bike, you will only have to fill out one." "Oh I know that"
he said. "I'm just signing these in case this is a contest the Lord
doesn't happen to care about one way or another."
It happens with people today. We like to do things our own way.
We don't stop and consider what the Lord's will is for our lives.
Right after Jesus visits with the Samaritan woman, and the
disciples return from town to get some food, Jesus makes a
statement that caught their attention. And it should get our
attention today. "My food, said Jesus, is to do the will of Him
who sent me,and to finish His work." (John 4:34)
There are three blessings that come when we do the will of God
in our lives.
1. TO DO THE WILL OF GOD IS THE ONLY WAY TO PEACE
(Luke 1:79)
2. TO DO THE WILL OF GOD IS THE ONLY WAY TO STABILITY
(Matthew 7:24-27)
3. TO DO THE WILL OF GOD IS THE ONLY WAY TO POWER
(2 Corinthians 3:5)
When we are obedient to God, it shows how much we love Him.
It shows that we are more sufficient in God than of ourselves.
To experience God's blessings, that's the way it should be. (GP)

THE WORLD, OR THE LORD?

In Matthew 16:26, Jesus asks a very challenging question.
For what is a man profited, it he gains the whole world,
and loses his own soul? or what will a man give in exchange
for his soul?"
The soul is our inner person. When this life is done, our
inner person will go to be with the Lord Jesus Christ for
eternity. But that depends on how we answer this question
by our life's attitudes, and actions.
In essence, we place on the scale of life, the priorities
and pursuits of the world, verses the priority and the
pursuit of the Kingdom of God. You may say, "Well, that's
an easy answer. What is more important is, the pursuing of
the Kingdom of God. But when we look at our lives, has it
just been lip service? Have we really been 100% committed
to this priority? I know I haven't. I may have said yes to
the Lord, but by actions have said yes to the world.
When we lose something very precious, how devastated we feel.
And deep regret comes, when we have given up something,
and now we we wished we had it back.
The word "tragic" will not describe well enough, the losing
of our soul to the world. The Lord Jesus, loves us, and
wants us to be with Him for eternity. Don't we want that too?
Let's place our soul in His love, and in His will, knowing
that with Him, we will be in safe hands, now and forever. (GP)

SPIRITUAL WEAKNESS

“Watch and pray, so that you will not fall into temptation.
The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”(Matthew 26:41)
It was not a time to sleep, but a time to pray. This was a time to pray for strength, to face the tragic upcoming events of Jesus’ arrest, trial, and death on the cross. Peter, who said that even if all the rest fall away, he never would. Even if it meant that he would die with Jesus, he would not deny Him. But he did, just as Jesus told Him He would (Matthew 26:34)
We can criticize Peter all we want, but we know ourselves, how weak we are. We say that we will not do those things that are sinful, those things that are against the will of the Lord. But yet in a moment of weakness, we find ourselves participating in those sinful acts. Yes, “the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” The two things, Jesus told the disciples to do, in overcoming temptation, will work for us as well. He told them to “Watch, and Pray.”
Watch for those urges to participate in a sinful act. When they come, in prayer, bring them to Jesus, and let Him have them. Don’t take them on yourself, but give them to Jesus, to deal with, and destroy. It is always an advantage for something weak to be placed along something that Is strong. Let’s place ourselves with Jesus. There is no one who is stronger for us, than He.
GP

FREEDOM IN OUR RELATIONSHIPS

"My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor,
if you have struck hands in pledge for another, If you have
been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words
of your mouth, then do this my son, to free yourself,
since you have fallen into your neighbor's hands;
Go and humble yourself; press your plea with your
neighbor! Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your
eyelids. Free yourself, like a gazelle, from the hand of the
hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler.
(Proverbs 6:1-5)
In this passage of Scripture, Solomon talks about a type
of freedom that from time to time, we all long to have.
There are times, when we put our foot in our mouth,
and say things we wish we hadn't. Or we act before we think,
and cause some hurt, and hard feelings. On this fourth of
July, when we focus on the freedom we enjoy in this country,
there is no greater feeling, than that of being at peace with
our fellow man. And when those times arrive, of careless words,
and actions, Solomon tells us that we need to "go and humble
ourselves." We are to set aside our pride, our self-centeredness,
and make it right, with those we have hurt, in word and deed.
To "press your plea"(v.3c) means to strongly and sincerely,
ask forgiveness, and make it right with our neighbor.
Solomon makes this such an urgent thing.
"Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids."
In essence he is saying: "Don't let a moment go by, when you
can make peace with your neighbor. Your heart will be in turmoil
until you do. And when you do, you will feel that freedom that
is like a gazelle, running free from the hunter, or a bird flying free
from the snare, of the trapper.
To be at odds with someone is a terrible bondage. It is worth
all the effort it takes, to make peace, and experience the
wonderful freedom, and blessings, of a good relationship (GP)

GRADUATE IN CHRIST

I want to congratulate the graduates everywhere. This is an exciting time. The excitement of entering into the next stage of your life. As exciting as this is, there should be no greater excitement, than when one becomes a Christian. In a way this is a graduation, because you have learned in your struggle with the world, what is most important, and you step up to a higher plane in your life. From a life of so many disappointments, to a life of peace, fulfillment, and victory. The Apostle Paul spoke of the members of the church, accomplishing this goal, "...but speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head---Christ....(Ephesians 4:15) The goal of a Christian is to grow up in Jesus Christ, to accomplish spiritual maturity in Him . But how can we do this, if we haven't made the initial step in accepting Jesus Christ as, Savior and Lord? This is the most important decision we will ever make in our lives. In our walk in the world, we can say that we have learned some hard lessons. I would be so bold as to say, that we have learned what life is like, without Jesus. In accepting Him, as Savior and Lord, it is like we are entering a new life of learning and growth. Jesus said: "Come to Me, all you who labor, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and ,learn from Me, For I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:28-29) Did you catch the words "Learn from Me"? I would call this the college of Jesus Christ. In placing our lives in Him, we are stepping up higher. We are entering into a place of higher spiritual education. An education that will be more of a blessing, than any type of worldly education,we could ever achieve. Have you learned enough about the world, to say in your heart, I need a change. I need Jesus to show me a new way to find happiness, peace, fulfillment, even in the midst of trouble and trial.
He has it! So my question to you is: What are you waiting for? GP

OUR GREAT PHYSICIAN

It's good to be back! I am sorry for not posting any Bible teaching in awhile. I hope I can stay constant now, and keep the posts coming. A question that was presented by Andy Rooney on "60 MINUTES", "What ever happened to the family physician, who could treat a number of conditions? Today we are so specialized." It made me think about our Great Physician, Jesus Christ, who can treat every spiritual condition we have. Broken lives, broken hearts, and most of all the restoration of our souls, for eternity. Jesus can do it all, but the question is, will we let Him? Will we take advantage of His services? I listened to a preacher on TV this week, and he had a good sermon on, attending to the Word of God, which is the medicine for our poor spiritual conditions. If we don't attend to the Word of God, on a continual basis, how can we expect to have good spiritual health? I think of individuals, and families, who find themselves in such ruin these days. If they only would have found Jesus, and His teachings, and experienced what He could do for their lives, life would be so much better for them today. In reponse to the criticism Jesus received for sitting with the publicans and sinners. Jesus said "Those who are well have no need for a physician, but those who are sick." (Matthew 9:12) In those times of being both physically and spiritually sick, when I turned to the Lord, He was always there for me. With His wisdom, and His resources, He ministered unto me, the right words, and the right people, to take care of my needs. He will do the same for you. You don't have to make an appointment. Right where you are, you can pray, and study His Word, and receive the best He has to offer. He is a loving and faithful Physician. He won't, let you down! (GP)

Jesus' Health-Care Plan

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”Matthew 11:28-30.
No matter what happens this week-end, with the vote on national health care, the debate will still be long-running. In this great tug-of-war over this issue, a person wonders, what will work for many Americans, without health insurance today? It will be almost two years ago, since I under-went surgery, for prostate cancer. I wasn’t sure about my health care, but I was sure about my Lord’s care. When I needed Him, He was there. He gave me the strength to endure, that difficult experience. It was a heavy burden for me, because I am not a strong person. He gave me the inner strength, to endure, and to recover. Today, as I write this article, I am cancer free. If you are physically sick today, maybe dealing with a severe illness; (while the world goes on debating on health care) you can count on the Lord, to help you with whatever dark valley you’re going through. And if complete healing doesn’t come in this life, it will come in the next.
Instead of the worry, and sadness, that comes with the yoke of the world; put on the yoke of Jesus. In everything, in Him, you will find the best care you can find. (GP)

Crossroads

"Must Jesus bear the cross alone, And all the
world go free? No there's a cross for everyone,
and there's a cross for me."
Matthew 16:24 "Then Jesus said to His disciples,
"If anyone desires to come after Me, let him
deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me."

There are three spiritual entrances to the road
of the cross.
1. The Entrance Of Desire.
Do we desire to follow Jesus? Or The world?
I would rather desire to follow Jesus, and suffer
for Him, than to live for the world, and allow it
to gradually destroy my life, and my soul.
2. The Entrance Of Denial.
It's not easy to deny ourselves, and put Jesus first.
But it is necessary if we are to be in the best
spiritual health we can be in. With Him in our lives,
we do so much better, than with those worldly products,
that promise, but never deliver.
3. The Entrance Of Decision.
If you'r going to talk the talk, you better walk the walk.
That's what Jesus wants. He doesn't want good
intentions, He wants a decision, and a commitment to that
decision. If Jesus set His face like flint to go to the
cross for us, what is our excuse?
The road to glory includes a cross.
If Jesus was willing to take up His for You and for me,
we should never hesitate, to do whatever it takes, to live
for Him, and serve Him, 100%. (GP)

Entering The Family Of God

Of our three children, Tracy is the oldest.
Her entering our family was very dynamic.
She was born in a snowstorm in 1979.
It took us four hours, to go seventeen miles, to get
to a hospital. It may have been a stressfull
experience, but all in all, it was exciting, and a very
joyful experience.
It is exciting too, when one enters the family of God.
After the Holy Spirit convicts of sin, and one's need
for Jesus, to be Savior and Lord, they enter the waters
of baptism. It is at baptism, where Jesus cleasnes one
of sin, and the Holy Spirit finds His eternal place in
that person's heart, and life.(Acts 2:38)
There are two things we find, in this wonderful experience.
1. Our Placement.
The Apostle Paul says that ..."If any man be [in] Christ,
he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold
all things are become new."(2 Corinthians 5:17)
To enter the family of God, is to be placed [In] Christ.
The old sins, and sinful nature, and lifestyle, is gone,
and we are enabled, by Christ, to take on new life.
A new life, a new peace, and a new hope.
2. Our Postion.
There are two aspects of God's call for the Christian
life: One is Privilege, and the other is Purpose.
We see this in Ephesians 2:8-10.
Privelge: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and
that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.."
Purpose: "..not of works, lest anyman should boast,
for we are the workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto
good works, which God hath before ordained that we
should walk in them."
It is exciting to be apart of the family of God.
To be born again, and to be placed [In] Christ for eternity,
To experience the blessings offered, and to be able to
do our part, to be involved in "good works" for the cause, of
the Kingdom of God. I believe there is nothing more
exciting than this! (GP)
Outline And Helps From "Check Your Life In Christ"
(By Knofel Staton)1993 The Standard Publishing Co.

A Spiritual Olympian

I have been watching the Winter Olympics.
It amazes me, what some of those athletes do,
in their events of competition.
And to think that they have practiced, and worked
hard, for a long time to get ready for this one time
event. The Apostle Paul looked at this life, as being
a time of preparation, for a one time event.
That event, is our homecoming with the Lord Jesus
Christ, and receiving all the eternal blessings He offers.
He said this: "Do you not know that those who run
in a race, all run, but one receives the prize? Run in
such a way that you may obtain it."
(1 Corithians 9:24)
We and the rest of the world are on a life course.
Between our birth and our death, is our running time.
All run, but not all will get the prize. All that are living now,
will not have eternal life, when this life is done.
Paul is saying; make it your main goal to live your life, in a
way that is definately heading toward the eternal rewards of God.
Paul writes to Timothy; "For bodily excercise profits little,
but godliness is profitable for all things, having the promise
of the life that now is, and of that which is to come."
(1 Timothy 4:8) Everyday of our lives is a time of training
and preparation, to be the best we can be, when we
meet Jesus face to face. We are spiritual Olympians,
heading for the prize, "the upward call of God
in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:14b) GP
.