NOVEMBER 2013
How would you answer the
question?
“Do I
have to give thanks? Everything seems like such a mess this year?”
We agree with the premise. The nation is heading the wrong direction. Our economy is weak. Our politicians are wrong. Our churches have lost their moral sway. People are restless.
The culture is self-centered and
thoughtlessly coarse. Civility, industry, and loyalty are scarce. Rudeness, laziness, and infidelity are
endemic. Families are stressed, distressed, and detached.
Do we have to give thanks?
NO! We do not have to give
thanks.
We do not have to give thanks
for the breath in our lungs.
We do not have to give thanks
for the roof over our heads.
We do not have to give thanks
for the food we’ve had to eat.
We do not have to give thanks
for the clothes we have to wear.
We do not have to give thanks
for the jobs we have to do.
We do not have to give thanks
for the health we enjoy.
We do not have to give thanks
for the freedoms we cherish in the United States of America.
We do not have to give thanks
for our families.
We do not have to give thanks
for Christian husbands and Godly wives.
We do not have to give thanks
for our children.
We do not have to give thanks
for the friends who mean so much.
We do not have to give thanks
for our church family—a family that sometimes seems more
like family than our biological
family.
We do not have to give thanks
for the precious memories we have of the good old days.
We do not have to give thanks
for our Christian heritage.
We do not have to give thanks for
a church that believes and preaches the Bible.
We do not have to give thanks
for a place to serve the Lord and to help others.
We do not have to give thanks
for God’s mercy.
We do not have to give thanks
for God’s grace.
We do not have to give thanks
for God’s love.
We do not have to give thanks
for Christ’s sacrifice.
We do not have to give thanks
for the Holy Ghost’s presence in our lives.
We do not have to give thanks
for conviction and God’s Amazing Grace.
We do not have to give thanks
for an open altar where we can pray and find God’s forgiveness.
We do not have to give thanks
for peace with God.
We do not have to give thanks
for Gods’ wisdom and faithful direction.
We do not have to give thanks
for answered prayer.
We do not have to give thanks
for all the blessings we have received.
We do not have to give thanks
for the promises of God.
We do not have to give thanks.
But the Scriptures couldn’t be
plainer. When people are not thankful
terrible things begin to happen. The
Apostle Paul, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, observed that
when people are not thankful…
…they become vain in their
imaginations,
…their foolish hearts are
darkened,
…they think they are wise, but
they are actually fools,
…they begin worship created
things more than the Creator of all things,
…their thinking is perverted,
…their attitudes are pathetic,
and
…their actions are pitiful…
(Read Romans, Chapter 1)
No! We do not have to give
thanks.
BUT, WHEN WE DO GIVE THANKS…
GOD IS HONORED BY OUR WILLING HEARTS
And when ye will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving unto the Lord, offer it at your own
will. LEVITICUS 22:29
GOD HALLOWS OUR THANKSGIVING WITH HIS PRESENCE
It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers
were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord; and when they lifted up their voice with
the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the Lord, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth
for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the Lord. 2 CHRONICLES 5:13
GOD COMFORTS US—ALL THEY WHO PRAISE HIM!
For the Lord shall comfort Zion: he will comfort
all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert
like the garden of the Lord; joy
and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving,
and the voice of melody. ISAIAH 5:13
GOD DELIVERS US—THOSE WHO THANK HIM!
But
I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving;
I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of theLord. JONAH 2:9
GOD ANSWERS OUR PRAYERS—THOSE
WHO THANK HIM!
Be
careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all
understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus….
But my God shall supply all your need according
to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
PHILIPPIANS 4:6-19
WE ARE DEFINITELY DOING THE WILL OF GOD!
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of
God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 THESSALONIANS 5:18
AND, WE ARE JOINING THE RANKS
OF THE REDEEMED THROUGHOUT ETERNITY!
Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and
art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. REVELATION 11:17
IT SURE SOUNDS TO ME
LIKE IT WOULD BE A GREAT IDEA FOR ALL OF US,
THOSE WHO ARE FACING
GREAT TRIALS
AND THOSE WHO ARE
REJOICING IN GOD’S PROVISION,
TO GIVE THANKS!
HOPE TO SEE YOU THIS WEEKEND AT
FCC! If we can help you in any way please let us know. We love and appreciate you every one!
Onward!
Pastor Richard M. Jones
FAITH COMMUNITY CHURCH – A Crusaders Church of America
2969 North Lindbergh Blvd, St.
Louis, Missouri 63074 - Telephone (314)
298-5840; Cell (314) 607-1424
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Monday, November 25 THANKSGIVING
DINNER at WILD ACRES, 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, November 26 THANKSGIVING COMMUNION,
7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 17 CHRISTMAS CAROLING, 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 15 CHILDREN’S
CHRISTMAS PROGRAM, 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 22 CANDLELIGHT SERVICE w
CHORALE, 6:30 p.m.
Thanks for praying for our
financial needs. We are praying for
$15,000 between now and December 31. If
the Lord would impress you to help us, we would be most grateful. Don’t forget you can remember FCC in your
will too. Won’t it be great when our
mortgage is completely cleared?
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