November 18, 2018

  About Thanksgiving 

Acts 20: 33-36

Acts 

I have never coveted anyone's money or fine clothing.  You know that these hands of mine have worked to pay my own way, and I have even supplied the needs of those who were with me.  And I have been a constant example of how you can help the poor by working hard.  You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus:  'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'

When he had finished speaking, he knelt and prayed with them.  They wept aloud as they embraced him in farewell, sad most of all because he had said that they would never see him again.  Then they accompanied him down to the ship.  

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 Thoughts....

I'm going divert for a bit from 'focused thoughts' to be real. 

I have coveted another's money and fine clothing.  My hands have worked to pay my own way, but I've also been helped along the way, when the going got tough.  I have supplied the needs of others, both personally, and as a result of paying taxes, as well as giving to different causes to share with others for the good of many.  I have not always been a constant example for anyone of working hard.  I have learned it is more blessed to give than receive....mostly.  I have not always put it into practice in my home or daily life.  I have been selfish.  But God still loves me....puts up with me....and knows in my heart, and his, that I love him. However, that having been said, I know I need to do better to show him how much I do love him. 

Let's look at John 15:4.  JESUS said,  "Remain in me and I will remain in you."  The poor guy can't SEEM to get rid of me.  But what does it mean to 'remain'?  He does not mean remain as in hang out, or, like me, can't get rid of me.  He can....get rid of me....by the way....and you.  He means immerse one's self in him and he will immerse himself in you.

I've often thought this chapter is one of the most passionate from our Lord.  I think of immerse as seeping....as into the soul of my being.  Recall the paper towel commercials when they pick up all the spilled liquid.  The paper towel is saturated and no liquid remains.  Have you allowed Jesus to saturate, seep into your being....have you in his?  My point.  Jesus' passion is agape, selfless.  Phileo, brotherly.  Eros, heart felt.

When I looked up the word 'remain' in The Strongest Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, the following words and phrases are documented to assist in the description:  to be in a status that begins and continues, abide, dwell, stand firm, endure, cleave unto, wait for, stay (with/near), continue, live, abode (as in house), to help, patient continuance.  Consider 'never ending', absorbed, belong.  Consider patient continuance again....what he must be going through daily with me....bless his heart.  What about with you?

When I first accepted Jesus as my Savior, I was way to young to understand the concept of passion on any level.  As I've aged, there was a time when being passionate about many things was a strong suit.  As I've gotten even older (Ok, it's true, I'm an antique, but not lost, I can still relate to the youth.), I find there are times when I've looked back (Yes, I can remember - geesh!) that I've needed to hang my head in shame and sorrow for not being more passionate about my immersion, my abiding, my cleaving and enduring with my Savior. 

In the 70's, (Yes, I really can remember that, too.), there was a phrase about, if God seems gone from our lives, that God did not move away from us, but that we moved away from him.  That is so true in my life, very sadly.  And that is still true today.  I am not 'all in' at all times.  I expect you are not either.  You are so not alone in this.  And if you've been following 'Thoughts', you will have seen I have not been as constant for him, or you.  I beg his forgiveness....and yours.   I am very sorry.  I have many excuses, but the most important one is the fact I have any excuse at all....and that comes from Satan blocking my every attempt at putting God first.  Do you have the same problem, too?  We are in the midst of a very large crowd.

If there is one thing that will come out of the horrible experiences we, in America, and around the world, are going through politically and through wars and rumors of wars,  among other catastrophes on earth, it is that we are getting back in touch with what in retail is called the 'what's right policy'....albeit a slant on such.  We are getting back to our God and prayer WITH him....to find a better way, to find the right, true, and safe way to live, love, and have our being....and his....and that FOR others.  The policy is doing things always the right, best way for others.  The brunt of that is what is in our thanksgiving message today. 

That thanksgiving message is true for everyone in the world.  And be aware there are many religions in the world with their own god who is not the God of Jesus, Savior of the world, but who experience life, and their faith, as we Christians do.  Folks who we should still love, pray for and with, through all happenings in their lives, while they are also affected by events around the world both natural and political, etc.  And we need to pray for those who don't know our God, or another's.  Those who are lost from salvation, lost from forgiveness.  Unless God tells you to not pray for them.  He can do that for those who once professed Christianity, too.

Getting back to John 15....what happens if you don't remain in Jesus' love?   One is eternally cut off.  Oh, yes, you are.  I do know there are many Christian churches that say 'Once saved, always saved'.  But they are not scripturally sound.  According to what JESUS said in John 15.  JESUS said, "He [GOD] cuts off every branch that does not produce fruit...".   JESUS goes on to say, "Anyone who parts from me (JESUS) is thrown away like a useless branch and withers.  Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned."  That would be sent to hell....Satan's domain.  Is someone who parts from someone remaining?  Nope.  This is a simple picture here, folks.     

But he goes on to say, giving everyone 'equal opportunity', "I have loved you even as the Father has loved me.  Remain in my love.  When you obey me, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father and remain in his love.  I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy."  [HIS, JESUS', joy.  The man was beaten/flogged, stabbed, spit on, hung on a cross with crude nails, left for dead, hated, abused, ignored, still....and he still knows joy!  Are you hearing me, folks?   Can you have a little joy in the midst of your crisis?] 

JESUS goes on to say, "Yes your joy will overflow.  I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you.  And here is how to measure it - the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends.  You are my friends if you obey me."

How do we obey him?  He just told us.  He commanded us....to love each other in the same way that he loves us.  How does that translate to todays thanksgiving message?  Glad you asked.  

'Remember the words of the Lord Jesus.  It is more blessed to give than receive.'

Kneel, pray, and give....then give thanks.  

Philippians 3:4-7:  Always be full of joy IN the Lord.  I say it again....rejoice!  Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do.  Remember, the Lord is coming soon.  Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.  If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand.  His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live IN Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians: 5:14-18:  Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy.  Encourage those who are timid.  Take tender care of those who are weak.  Be patient with everyone.

See that no one pays back evil for evil [perceived or real], but always try to do good to each other and to everyone else.

Always be joyful.  Keep on praying.  No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Consider the phrasing of the RSV for this last verse: 'IN everything give praise and thanksgiving for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 

'IN', as 'IN the midst of', not because of, or for necessarily, but IN.  IN everything give praise and thanksgiving....for this IS God's will ….for YOU who belong to Christ Jesus!  

Happy Thanksgiving everyone....everywhere....whether you celebrate a specific date or not.  May God bless you richly....always.

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  Let Us Pray

Father God, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit, please forgive me of my sins and cleanse me as a new vessel by which you alone can fill me to overflowing.  Be with me this day and everyday as I go forth.   Dear God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, thank you this day for the enormity of your love.   I am so grateful that you are the God of all, and that you've made a path for everyone under heaven to be received by you.  Whether others call you by the name I call you or not, you knew everyone's journey would be different, and you made a way for everyone to find you.  If they remain in you.  Lord, help me to better remain in you....immerse myself in the gift and glory of your love.  Help me to open myself to you in the fullness of my heart and being for you to be fully immersed in me....leaving no room for doubt.  Saturate me completely Holy Spirit, so that Satan has no room to enter or knock.  I am so thankful this Thanksgiving for you, Father God, for giving life and giving it abundantly.  My gratitude knows no bounds.  Help me to better cherish you and those around me, and share how much you love others.  Religion should not be about mandates, it should be about your commandment to love one another.  IN everything I give YOU praise and thanksgiving.  May others do the same.  And may everyone around the world pray for each other to rise above ,and be healed from, the evil that pervades the world we live on called earth.  Father God, Lord Jesus, Comforter and Teacher Holy Spirit, may this Thanksgiving [American holiday] be a day you will be able to give thanks for me....and all others in the world....and on every day from this day forward.  And please, help us....we so very badly need you.....everywhere.  I praise you!  I thank you! I love you!  Amen!        

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 More love.... 

  Benediction....Blessing

Let us hear from Paul as he prays:  

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.  And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.  May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.  Amen.  Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT         

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Scroll down to read Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving...'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'.

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Definition of a Christian:  Anyone who believes in God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Regardless of church name or religious affiliation. 

'All who have been united with Christ in baptism have been made like him.  There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female.  For you are all Christians - you are ONE in Christ Jesus.'  Galatians 3: 27

  It is not how we worship, but that we worship....the Trinity!

Teach tolerance....reach in acceptance....worship as one!

Respect....Embrace....Encourage!

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Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this:

I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

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There is no better time than now to let God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit know how grateful you are for them being there for you, all they have done for you and will do, and, show thankfulness for being fed the Word of God, so you can know and obey him.   

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  Our Continual Cause

It is time to reach into the community and the world around you to see wherein lies the greatest need.  As you choose to focus on these areas, do so with a servant's heart.  Whether the need is for children, adults, animals, the earth, or any cause in between that will help those in need, ask God how you can best serve his needs, what path you must take, and how long you should persevere.  Sometimes we are to be in the lives of others merely as stepping stones.  Sometimes we are to touch those lives forever.  Whatever journey you are called to take, whatever team you will be a member, know this:  God is with you always...even til the end of time.  He loves you, is grateful for you, and will help you along life's way, especially if you are helping others along theirs, persevering with a servant's heart.  

Please accept my sincerest thanks....and God's....and may God richly bless you ! 

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  One last thing....

Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving

'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'

"Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:  "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.  You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."

Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father - Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."

"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.

Matthew 11:  25-30

  The Message

And the people said,

"Amen."

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I now write most prayers in the position of ' I ' (first person) because most people are sitting at their computer alone, not in groups, and it allows those reading and praying to personalize the prayer as coming from them going to God.  Variations may appear on holidays when families may wish to use the prayer provided.  I encourage you to pray your own prayers as well.

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Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.

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NOTE:  I said it long ago, but let me say it again.  If you are wanting to lead a group, start a church, or are confined in an institution, or live in a country where the Gospel is not preached, and you don't know what to say or how to say it, and yet feel led to share, teach, or preach, besides just reading straight out of the Bible and sharing what God puts on your heart, please feel free to share any or all of what I've written, if it will help you, as long as you include where it comes from, due to copyright laws.  Jesus gave God's love and healing freely, as well as his message.  Our responsibility is to get the Word out to those who need to hear it.  If what I've written....by the power and direction of the Holy Spirit....or what he has said through me....has helped you, it may help others that you know.  You are welcome to share it.  God calls all of us to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world.  Please share it with the fullness of love that God, Jesus, Holy Spirit....and I....have given it.  Amen!

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