“This is the season of
harvest and we are thankful for the bounty.
It is not just “Turkey Day,” but actually we should be thankful
everyday.” Pastor Allan was bringing his
message and from my notes I present his edited sermon.
If you have not read the
book, or seen the movie “The Hiding Place,” I would recommend that you do
so. It is the story of Corrie Ten Boom
and her sister Betsy, were arrested for helping the Jews and taken to a
concentration camp. Betsy managed to
smuggle in her small Bible and they read the scripture: 1 Thessalonians
5:18 In
every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning
you.
Now
the area they were assigned to was full of fleas, and Betsy said, we should be
thankful for the fleas. Corrie was not sure she could agree, to thank God for
fleas, but they decided to be thankful regardless of their situation. Other women joined them in a Bible study and
they realized the guards did not bother them because they did not want to come
where there were fleas. The fleas turned
out to be a good thing.
No
matter what are your circumstances find something in it to be thankful
for. What is it hard for you to be
thankful for? Many times the “fleas” in
our lives may prove to be a blessing.
Paul
and Silas were in prison locked in the stocks, but they sang and praised the
Lord. They were not happy they were in
prison, but while in a bad place they were thankful. The end of the story was
the jailor and his entire household were saved.
The
disciples were persecuted, but it was used to an advantage when Paul went to
the Gentiles with the Gospel.
2 Corinthians
4:7-9,17 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the
power may be of God, and not of us. We are hard pressed
on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but
not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
17 For our light and
momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs
them all.
Paul could be thankful
regardless because he practiced learning to be content always.
We cannot give our children
a watered down message, but they need to know truth and what to stand up
for. We must teach them how to be
watchful with confidence and to walk without condemnation.
We need to teach them that
evolution is wrong and that God created our world in 6 days and rested on the 7th
day.
Rejoice in the Lord, and
continue to pray for our High Schools.
Last Tuesday at our church, 24 teens had a pizza lunch and heard the
Gospel. Our aim is to make a difference
in our High School.
We take so much for
granted. What are you thankful for?
Satan tries to take things
away from us; our children, our property, but don’t allow him to steal your
thankful heart. God will restore to you
that which was stolen. Keep giving
thanks in all things. Even when it looks
like a tragedy - - know God can work it out for good, and bring you blessings
that overflow.
As we approach the New
year, there will be more changes, new ministries, and opportunities to reach
out to others.
Be faithful and know
that as God stretches us we are growing in faith and in confidence with a grateful
heart.
2 comments:
A great way to enter Thanksgiving week here thinking of God's faithfulness! Happy Thanksgiving, Hazel, to you and your family. By the way, I love your stories about your family and the lessons you share.
Thank you, Hazel for your thorough review of yet another pertinent and profound sermon. I love Corrie Ten Boom, and agree, in all things we should give thanks. In the darkest of places or the most torrential of storms, there is always a small, still light that seeps in. The light comes from within. It is our faith in the Lord and our gratefulness unto Him that allows this light to illuminate our lives. Thank you, Jesus, always.
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