10/26/13

From Ben Fronczek... Thanksgiving or Giving-thanks 2011

Thanksgiving or Giving-thanks 2011

I have to admit, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. But as I think about its origin I have to admit, I am amazed at the backdrop of the first Thanksgiving celebration. For one thing, it really emerges out of a time extreme emotional pain and suffering. History tells us that more than half of the 100 plus pilgrims who arrived on the Mayflower in November of 1620 were dead by the first Thanksgiving a year later. “The great sickness,” as it was called, was probably a combination of scurvy from the ocean crossing, typhus, and pneumonia. Among the adult males, only 16 of the original 38 survived. For adult women, there were 11 survivors out of 27. Here’s how Governor Bradford told it: “So they died sometimes 2 or 3 a day, and of the 100 odd persons, scarce 50 remained. And of these, in the time of most distress, there was but 6 or 7 sound persons who, to their great commendations be it spoke, spared no pains, night or day, but with abundance of toil and hazard of their own health, fetched them wood, made them fires, dressed their meat, washed their loathsome clothes, clothed and unclothed them — in a word, did all the homely and necessary offices for them which dainty and queasy stomachs cannot endure here to be named.” Bradford also makes it clear that without the help of the local Indians, the pilgrims would never have made it to the first Thanksgiving. They generously shared food with the English settlers during the first winter and then showed them how to plant and cultivate corn the next spring and summer. Luckily the first harvest was a generous one. A three day feast was planned in late November, and the pilgrims invited the Indian chief  and his people. 90 native Americans arrived with 5 deer to eat, in addition to the wild turkeys, fish, lobster, clams, berries, fruit, pumpkin, squash, and  beetroot that the Englishmen had prepared. Can you imagine the mix of emotions that must have been present at that first Thanksgiving. Everyone  of those early settlers had reason to be grieving, having been ravaged by disease and despair, and having lived in freezing, filthy huts the first winter, watching half the people they knew and loved die in their arms. Imagine the spiritual strength it must have taken, after all the hardships and horrors they had to endure. There they celebrated and were positive and even were hospitable despite their recent losses.

Bradford wrote in his history of that first Thanksgiving: “Although it may not always be 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 others partake of our plenty.”
Now how’s that for a Thanksgiving vision: these devastated pilgrims saying that “by the goodness of God, we are so far from want that we often wish others partake of our plenty.”  

 It seems to me that mankind has this inherit need or desire at some point to give thanks, feel gratitude, and even celebrate even if we go through a season of great suffering.  We see examples of this throughout history, and we see example of this in the Bible. But why? Why do we have this need? I personally think it comes down to this: Because even though our lives may not be perfect and we experience trouble, sorrow, disasters, sickness, and hardship on every side, God has designed us where we can only go so long without feeling a sense of hope, or faith that something better just might be around the corner.  And despite our troubles and hardships, a spirit of thanksgiving emerges for what blessings that we do have and is also in part a celebration of faith and what is yet to come. 

The Apostle Paul wrote some amazing verses in Philippians 4:4-9, he instructed the early Christian who had begun to suffer for their faith in Christ,  

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me–put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

As Paul instructs the early Christians here (and just to remind you, he writing this from prison) he writes:

‘May your gentleness be evident to all, ‘   and ‘rejoice in the Lord always’ (always)  Why?

For one reason the Lord is near. He’s closer than you realized. We may not be able to see Him with these eyes of flesh, but you are never out of His sight.   Paul wanted his readers to find comfort in that fact.  No matter how bad things may get, whether you are sick, afraid, lonely, or even trapped in a prison cell, God is close by and can hear every whisper and prayer you make. And so he writes do not worry,  & don’t be anxious.    Don’t let anxiety get the best of you, rather,  reach out to your Father.  Go to Him in prayer, even petition Him with a spirit of thanksgiving (because He does love you and He is close by). Ask Him what you need to ask. And he goes on to say that if you believe and trust in your Father God that much, His peace, a peace which He offers,  which transcends all human understanding, will guard your heart and mind in Jesus. That faith, that trust, that spirit of thanksgiving  will comfort you on the coldest of nights.’

I came across an interesting article on the internet written by Sharon Carroll, it was part of a speech she made to a group in Singapore. It goes like this.

“There have been many times this past year when I was anything but thankful. In fact, on a number of occasions I was often stunned, confused, and downright angry with God, wondering where He was in the midst of the most difficult trials in my life.
A year ago I got the shocking phone call that my younger brother had committed suicide, leaving behind his wife and two precious children. Six months later another one of those phone calls came, this time in the middle of the night, with the news that my older brother had suddenly died of a heart attack at the age of 48-leaving his four children (aged between 8 and 21) without their father. Both deaths came out of nowhere and left me devastated. I was now the only sibling left in my family. I found myself often crying out, “Lord, where are you?”All that only made the next bit of news even harder to take. Two weeks after I returned to Singapore from my older brother’s funeral I found a lump in my breast. After the biopsy, the doctor informed me that the lump was malignant. I had cancer. I can still remember the knot I felt in my stomach when the doctor told me this. It was the day before my 45th birthday. My first thoughts were for my husband and my children. Would I live to see Kimberly graduate from high school next year-and Chris 3 years later?Would I get to grow old with Charles, my wonderful husband of these past 21 years? And what about my Mother? How could she take another blow? These and many other thoughts and questions played havoc with my emotions during those difficult days six months ago.But, I soon found encouragement and strength in the God I gave my life to so many years ago. He had always been faithful through previous trials, and I discovered afresh that He would not let me down in my hour of greatest need. My heavenly Father, through the promises of His Word, gave me a deep sense of peace.

For example, in Isaiah 49:16 He says,

“See! I will not forget you . . . I have carved you on the palm of my hand.” And in Jeremiah 29:11 He says, For I know the plans I have for you . . . they are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

With these promises I found the strength to face the days ahead-surgery (a partial mastectomy), the further diagnosis that my cancer was a very aggressive kind, that it was 3rd stage (that is, that the malignant cells had already spread into the blood stream), the powerful doses of chemotherapy-10 sessions in all-along with all sorts of weird effects on my body, weakness, nausea, the loss of my hair-that was probably the hardest part of all. And now, 31 sessions of radiation-to be completed by Christmas.  

Through it all, I can honestly come to this Thanksgiving Day and say, “Thank you, Lord,” for He has taught me many valuable lessons through the storms of this past year:

1)That life is short-don’t waste any of it.

2) That people, especially our families and friends, are special. Don’t take them for granted.

3) That we have a choice in life, as to how we will respond to adversity-either we choose to feel sorry for ourselves and call ourselves “victims,” or we choose to overcome and be a “victor.”

4) That the trials will serve to either make us bitter-or better.

5) That faith in God-and trusting in Him-is the key to it all.

6) And that an “attitude of gratitude” is always better than having a “pity-party.” 

As American author and humorist Barbara Johnson reminds us in the title of her book, Pain is Inevitable, but Misery is Optional.
I want to take this opportunity to thank all who stood with me and encouraged me with their words, prayers, and many expressions of love: my own family, my fellow church members, my colleagues at SAS, and my friends in the community.
Most of all, I want to thank my Lord Jesus Christ, who has touched me and healed me. After a series of extensive tests two weeks ago, my oncologist told me that at this point she could find no trace of cancer in my body. While she cannot give me complete medical clearance for three years due to the nature of my illness, I believe God has indeed healed me and set me free from the curse of death.

On that first Thanksgiving Day, more than 370 years ago, the early pilgrims stood in the snow of a bitter winter and paused to give thanks to God. They chose to look beyond the difficulties of their surroundings and circumstances and put their eyes on the Lord God Almighty, the Alpha and the Omega, the Author and Finisher of the Faith-believing firmly that He who began a good work in them was able to complete it. In all reality, that first Thanksgiving was a declaration of faith-that God’s faithfulness in the past would see them through to a glorious future. And that’s exactly what happened. A great nation was established in the years ahead.

Today, on the eve of yet another Thanksgiving Day, years later and a world away from the early pilgrims, I want to join in the spirit of our forefathers and give thanks to God. The circumstances, if I chose to focus on them, are not so great. I don’t always feel so good. I get tired easily. My hair is shorter than my son’s. My brothers are gone and their families are still trying to pick up the shattered pieces of their lives. But, this Thanksgiving Day, I choose to praise God. His grace has been sufficient. He has touched me and healed me. He has given me life-abundant and eternal-and with it the promise of heaven. One day, I will be reunited with my brothers. One day, I will be given a new body. One day, I will see my Savior face to face, and He will wipe away every tear and take away every pain. That’s why I rejoice tonight. That’s why I can truly wish you a “Happy Thanksgiving.”

Psalm 75:1, says, “We thank you, O God! We give thanks because you are near.”

Psalm 107:1, says Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good,  For His loving kindness is everlasting.”

My challenge this week is let that thankful spirit surface in you. Make a effort to be thankful for something every day. And if you want that peace of God that the apostle Paul talked about, I also challenge you to do what he said,  

“Rejoice in the Lord always.  Remember that the Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

From Jim McGuiggan... All Israel will be saved (1)

All Israel will be saved (1)





This much-debated verse is central to Paul's Romans 9—11 defense of God's faithfulness to his promises to ethnic Israel. He doesn't say all Israel "can" be saved. He doesn't say all Israel "might" be saved. He doesn't say all Israel "should" be saved and he certainly doesn't say all Israel "won't" be saved. He says all Israel "will" be saved. He doesn't say "all Christians" will be saved but all "Israel" will be saved.

He says "Israel" rather than "Christian" because it's Israel that's at the heart of the "problem" with his gospel. He says "Israel" because it's part of Israel that has been hardened. He says "Israel" rather than "Christian" because the Gentile arrogance he wants to rebuke is directed toward Israel. Gentiles were feeling and maybe saying that God had dumped ethnic Israel and replaced it with a new Gentile people (11:19). Gentile arrogance made it appear that God had permanently jettisoned physical Jews (but see 11:28-29) and this would have been unfaithfulness on God's part. Paul says "Israel" because it was to Israel that God made promises (be sure to read Romans 9:1-5) and it's Israel that's on the outside looking in at the party. When he says all "Israel" Paul has ethnic Jews in mind. We'll return to this later but you might want to look at Paul's use of the terms Israel and Jew.

When he says "all" Israel will be saved does he mean all without exception? Judas, Caiaphas included? If he is sure that absolutely every single Jew will be saved then his anguish is inexplicable and his claim that he would be willing to be cut off from Christ if he thought it would save Israel is hypocritical (see 9:1-3). Most people are sure that his "all" is not an absolute. It isn't difficult to find texts in the OT where "all Israel" doesn't mean every single person in the nation. In using "all", texts like that suggest "a sufficiently significant number" of Israelites that represents the nation at that time.

So is that what Paul means when he says "all" Israel will be saved? That wouldn't help us much. If he means a significant number of Israel will be saved, does he mean a significant number of Israel out of the number of Israelites since the days of the patriarchs until now? Does he mean a significant number of some coming generation of Israelites? And bearing in mind that he's defending God's faithfulness to his promises to Jews why won't all Jews without exception be saved if God made promises to them? Some people are certain that sometime in the future (the near future, many of them say), just before Jesus returns, there will be a mass conversion of Jews. They tell us that that will be the fulfillment of "and so all Israel will be saved."

So it comes down to that does it? Back in the first century Paul defends God's righteousness and faithfulness in the face of hosts of lost Jews and how does he do it? By saying that a large number from a generation in the 21st century will come to Christ? Did God make no promises to the Jews between the 1st century and now? Imagine a delegation of non-believing Jews saying to Paul, "In light of your 'gospel' God has been faithless to us Jews because according to you so many of us are unsaved." And imagine Paul saying, "No he isn't unfaithful, and the proof of his faithfulness will take place about 2,000 years from now when a significant number of Jews will turn to Christ." Or imagine a delegation of arrogant, ignorant Gentiles saying to Paul, "God is done with the Jews because he has hardened them to bring us in." And imagine Paul saying, "No, the proof that God is not done with the Jews is when, after 2,000 years of hardening them in unbelief, God will bring a significant number of Israel to faith in Christ in the generation just before Christ's coming."

I don't think that that's what Paul had in mind.

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Mark Copeland... Rejoice In The Lord Always! (Philippians 4:4)






                    "THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS"

                    Rejoice In The Lord Always! (4:4)

INTRODUCTION

1. In the final chapter of Philippians, we find Paul giving exhortations
   that are both specific and general in nature...
   a. We saw in verses 1-3 where Paul gave specific exhortations to
      individuals there at Philippi
   b. Now in verse 4, we find the first of several exhortations which
      are certainly needful for all Christians:
      
        "Rejoice in the Lord always.  Again I will say, rejoice!"

2. You may recall that "joy" is the keynote of this epistle
   a. No less than sixteen times in this epistle, Paul uses the word or
      a derivation of it!
   b. Cf. Php 1:4,18(twice),25; 2:2,17(twice),18(twice),28,29; 3:1;
      4:1,4(twice),10

3. In this study, I will share a few observations about how we are to
   "Rejoice In The Lord Always!"

[First, notice that...]

I. THIS JOY IS TO BE EXPERIENCED "ALWAYS"

   A. NOT JUST AN OCCASIONAL EXPERIENCE, FOR EXCEPTIONAL PEOPLE...
      1. But in darkness as well as in light; in trials as well as in
         triumphs - cf. Jm 1:2-3; Ro 5:3-4
      2. Not just for apostles, but for all Christians - cf. Jm 1:2-3;
         1Pe 4:12-13

   B. CONSIDER THE EXAMPLE OF PAUL, WHO FOUND JOY "ALWAYS"...
      1. In his prayers - Php 1:4
      2. In the proclamation of the gospel under adverse circumstances 
         - Php 1:18
      3. In the unity of the saints - Php 2:2
      4. In the prospect of being a martyr for Christ - Php 2:17 
      5. In the love of the brethren - Php 4:10

[Truly Paul rejoiced "always"!  But what was his secret?  What was the
source of this abiding joy?]

II. THIS ABIDING JOY IS FOUND "IN THE LORD"

   A. THERE MAY BE "TEMPORARY" JOY...
      1. In drugs (including alcohol and tobacco)
      2. In sexual pleasures (whether lawful or unlawful)
      3. In material acquisitions
      -- But these are at best like riches, which "make themselves wings;
         they fly away like an eagle toward heaven" (Pr 23:5); and at
         worst, are "the passing pleasures of sin" (He 11:25)

   B. BUT THE JOY THAT "ABIDES" IS ONLY "IN THE LORD"...
      1. I.e., that which comes from a personal, living and fruitful
         relationship with the Lord
      2. For "in the Lord" we enjoy:
         a. Peace with God - Ro 5:2
         b. Help in temptations - 1Co 10:13; Php 4:13
         c. Assurance of God's companionship in time of trial - He 13:5-6
      3. These are the sort of things which provide a true and lasting
         joy

[Wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to experience this "abiding joy"?  
Well, why don't we?  Why do many of those who have a personal 
relationship with the Lord often find themselves lacking joy in all 
circumstances?

Perhaps it is because...]

III. THERE ARE OFTEN HINDRANCES TO "ABIDING JOY"

   A. MEMORIES OF PAST FAILURES; AWARENESS OF PRESENT FAULTS...
      1. Such often leaves people in a state of discouragement or
         depression
      2. Paul, however, provides the solution in Php 3:12-14
         a. Realize your imperfection, yet press on to better things!
         b. Forget your past failures, reach forward to future successes!

   B. NATURAL TEMPERAMENT OR DISPOSITION...
      1. Many people are naturally "melancholy"
         a. Through genetic predisposition toward such an attitude
         b. Or through environmental influences as we were growing up
      2. Yet in Christ, we can be transformed (Ro 12:1-2) and produce
         the "fruit of the Spirit" which includes "joy" - Ga 5:22

   C. DEPRESSING CIRCUMSTANCES...
      1. It is easy to be joyful when everything is going well, but when
         things wrong, well...
      2. However, we see from the Scriptures that even those times can
         be a time for rejoicing if we have the right "perspective" 
         - Jm 1:2-4

   D. SYMPATHY WITH OTHERS...
      1. Certainly, a compassionate heart cannot be untouched by the
         hardships of others - cf. Ro 12:15
      2. And yet, properly spoken words of comfort and counsel can
         provide a joyful reprieve from the hardships others bear - cf.
         Pr 16:24

CONCLUSION

1. "Rejoice in the Lord always"...
   a. Does not mean one is to be insensitive to the harsh realities of
      life
   b. But it does mean that one does not let the dark realities of life
      blind him to the radiance of joy that is found in the Lord!

2. Have you found yourself going through life without the "abiding joy"
   discussed in our text, that joy which Peter himself defines as
   "inexpressible" (1Pe 1:8)?

3. If so, then make your relationship with the Lord what it ought to
   be...
   a. First by rendering complete obedience to His Will
   b. And then by letting the counsel of His Spririt-given Word give you
      the perspectives necessary to "Rejoice In The Lord Always!"

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

From Gary... Grandpa's song





I don't know why, but this morning I awoke and the song I wrote came to my mind and stayed there.  In 1989 I put the above words to the hymn "Jesus Loves Me" and a couple of years ago Alan Mullins put into music notation.  So, this morning, I thought I would share it with you.  I recorded an mp3 and uploaded it to picosong.com.  Now, I really don't have much of a singing voice any more, but if you feel brave, click on the download link above to hear it.  Needless to say, I was thinking of the following passage when I wrote this song for my oldest granddaughter...

Matthew, Chapter 19
 13  Then little children were brought to him, that he should lay his hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them.  14 But Jesus said, “Allow the little children, and don’t forbid them to come to me; for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to ones like these.”   15 He laid his hands on them, and departed from there.
How time passes, in about a month, Amanda will be 24 years old.  I pray for her on a regular basis and pray that some day she will follow Jesus.  Love has changed my life; from the love of my wife, continuing to my children and now grandchildren, my life grows richer by the day... and oh, yes- and now there are dogs as well!!! What next, great grandchildren? 
Today, if you have the chance, tell someone you love how you feel about them; you will be glad you did!!!!

Your Friend,

Gary