From Gary... SIN and consequences

The other day, I had a long phone conversation with my younger brother, David.  We both just needed company (I miss my Linda, so I have the greater need) and spoke of many things from our childhood.  It wasn't long before the topic of food came up, but it wasn't a pleasant topic.  Now, I LOVE TO EAT, but in the first few years of the sixties, we didn't have much.  Dave would joke about the Christmas we had a potato to split between us or the Thanksgiving it took to prepare our Turkey Pot Pies (four hours to heat on a electric burner on top of the stove that only would heat half way) or the slop my Grandfather brought home from the kitchen where he worked.  Sometimes, the food before us was unappealing to say the least.  I remember my mother telling me, "I don't care what it looks like; eat!!!" and the kicker here: "EAT EVERY SINGLE THING ON YOUR PLATE, DON'T YOU KNOW THAT PEOPLE ARE STARVING IN CHINA"!!!  I was more fortunate than Dave, because our Grandmother favored me and used to secretly give me extra food to eat in a out of the way room in our old farmhouse.  You guessed it- food is a controversial topic with Dave and myself.  And that extra bit of food I received caused many, many problems.  Doctors have told my brother that the severe physical problems he has today were caused by a lack of proper food in childhood and we both blame our parents for being lazy and not fulfilling their responsibilities towards their children.  Parental indolence and many other sins were the cause of our hardship and frankly - their shame!!!  Is all this just a bit TOO PERSONAL for you?  Sorry about that, but these things (and many others I have mentioned in the past) are true.  Our upbringing caused us to think long and hard about caring for our families and the value of work and to the best of my knowledge we both have provided for our families.  All these things reminded me of a specific passage from Ezekiel and also of a generic passage as well.  They are as follows...

Ezekiel, Chapter 18

   1 Yahweh’s word came to me again, saying,  2 What do you mean, that you use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge?  3 As I live, says the Lord Yahweh, you shall not use this proverb any more in Israel. 4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul who sins, he shall die.  5 But if a man is just, and does that which is lawful and right,  6 and has not eaten on the mountains, neither has lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, neither has defiled his neighbor’s wife, neither has come near to a woman in her impurity,  7 and has not wronged any, but has restored to the debtor his pledge, has taken nothing by robbery, has given his bread to the hungry, and has covered the naked with a garment;  8 he who has not lent on interest, neither has taken any increase, who has withdrawn his hand from iniquity, has executed true justice between man and man,  9 has walked in my statutes, and has kept my ordinances, to deal truly; he is just, he shall surely live, says the Lord Yahweh.  10 If he fathers a son who is a robber who sheds blood, and who does any one of these things,  11 or who does not do any of those things, but even has eaten on the mountains, and defiled his neighbor’s wife,  12 has wronged the poor and needy, has taken by robbery, has not restored the pledge, and has lifted up his eyes to the idols, has committed abomination,  13 has lent on interest, and has taken increase; shall he then live? he shall not live: he has done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be on him.  14 Now, behold, if he fathers a son, who sees all his father’s sins, which he has done, and fears, and does not such like; 15 who has not eaten on the mountains, neither has lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, has not defiled his neighbor’s wife,  16 neither has wronged any, has not taken anything to pledge, neither has taken by robbery, but has given his bread to the hungry, and has covered the naked with a garment;  17 who has withdrawn his hand from the poor, who has not received interest nor increase, has executed my ordinances, has walked in my statutes; he shall not die for the iniquity of his father, he shall surely live.  18 As for his father, because he cruelly oppressed, robbed his brother, and did that which is not good among his people, behold, he shall die in his iniquity.  19 Yet you say, Why doesn’t the son bear the iniquity of the father? When the son has done that which is lawful and right, and has kept all my statutes, and has done them, he shall surely live.  20 The soul who sins, he shall die: the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son; the righteousness of the righteous shall be on him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be on him.  21 But if the wicked turn from all his sins that he has committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.  22 None of his transgressions that he has committed shall be remembered against him: in his righteousness that he has done he shall live.  23 Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked? says the Lord Yahweh; and not rather that he should return from his way, and live?  24 But when the righteous turns away from his righteousness, and commits iniquity, and does according to all the abominations that the wicked man does, shall he live? None of his righteous deeds that he has done shall be remembered: in his trespass that he has trespassed, and in his sin that he has sinned, in them shall he die.  25 Yet you say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, house of Israel: Is my way not equal? Aren’t your ways unequal?  26 When the righteous man turns away from his righteousness, and commits iniquity, and dies therein; in his iniquity that he has done shall he die.  27 Again, when the wicked man turns away from his wickedness that he has committed, and does that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.  28 Because he considers, and turns away from all his transgressions that he has committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.  29 Yet the house of Israel says, “The way of the Lord is not fair.” House of Israel, aren’t my ways fair? Aren’t your ways unfair?  30 Therefore I will judge you, house of Israel, everyone according to his ways, says the Lord Yahweh. Return, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.  31 Cast away from you all your transgressions, in which you have transgressed; and make yourself a new heart and a new spirit: for why will you die, house of Israel?  32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him who dies, says the Lord Yahweh: therefore turn yourselves, and live. 

Proverbs, Chapter 14

 34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a disgrace to any people.

 Israel said they were suffering for what their fathers had done. Now, in ancient times, if a member of the family did something wrong, the WHOLE FAMILY often paid for it; often with their lives.  But in this context, I believe we are talking about the personal responsibility for what you do and if you sin, you will pay for it!!!  Sin will destroy a person spiritually as well as physically and this applies both individually and collectively as well. Sin and suffer the consequences. Let a nation sin and likewise there will also be consequences.  The consequences that the path the United States of America has taken over the past few decades have led to the cartoon becoming a reality for a large segment of country.  And, unless things change, America will continually degenerate and eventually fall!!!!  

I urge every single person who reads this to take a moment to think about their lives.  This year, have you even thought about your shortcomings, the things about your life that are not right and need to be changed and anything that might even be remotely classified as sin?  Yes, sin.  Remember this passage?

Romans, Chapter 3

 19  Now we know that whatever things the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be closed, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of God. 20 Because by the works of the law, no flesh will be justified in his sight. For through the law comes the knowledge of sin.  21 But now apart from the law, a righteousness of God has been revealed, being testified by the law and the prophets;  22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all those who believe. For there is no distinction,  23 for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;  24 being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus;  25 whom God sent to be an atoning sacrifice, through faith in his blood, for a demonstration of his righteousness through the passing over of prior sins, in God’s forbearance;  26 to demonstrate his righteousness at this present time; that he might himself be just, and the justifier of him who has faith in Jesus.

Frankly, I can tell you I have thought of this passage often and encourage you to do the same.  Along with the knowledge of sin, this passage gives us all a way out- take it!!!!  Looking for the whole story?  I encourage you to read Acts, Chapter 2 and follow the example of those who wanted to change.

Lastly, I know that today's post is both long and difficult (compared to what I usually write) but as one friend to another, sometimes facing difficult things in our lives really does work out for the best, once they are resolved.  I wouldn't write these things unless I thought they would help both the writer and the reader!!!

Your friend,

Gary

From Ben Fronczek... Danger of Being Ungrateful

Danger of Being Ungrateful

Everyone knows the story of David and Goliath. Most people know the story of David and Bathsheba. Fewer people know the story of David, Nabal, and Abigail.

It concerns those times when we un grateful or even feel insulted or not appreciated.
 

In this story we see a surprising response from David which we may not expect from a man after God’s own heart. But thanks to the wisdom of a godly woman, David comes to his senses and calms down. The story can be read in 1 Samuel 25:1-38. (click on verse to read)

Rabbi Moshe P. Weisblum wrote  “It is basic human nature to want to feel appreciated, acknowledged and grateful for a job well done, for our efforts, our time, our talents, our skills. A simple thank you goes a long way.”    

When was the last time you said to yourself, “I did so much for so-and-so, but it seems like they don’t feel appreciate it?,” or “This relationship seems like a one way street. There’s no reciprocation.” Sometimes in our personal life, we may feel unappreciated by our own family members, wives, husbands, parents, siblings, and children. Even friends and acquaintances sometimes seem to take our friendship for granted. The same is true of bosses and co-workers. And sometimes it can even be a fair and generous boss who is not appreciated by his or her employees. Do you know someone who has ever felt underappreciated? It happens more often than not.

The feeling of being used and unappreciated is a painful feeling. Like David it can change and mess with our head if we are not careful. Every day we encounter people who need encouragement: A caregiver drags with exhaustion. A single parent feels lost. A spouse who feels unappreciated. A newly hired worker is discouraged because of his mistakes. A widow faces the raw wounds of her grief. A store clerk wonders if human  courtesy exists. Mom’s and dad's that simply feel used by their kids. The words we speak to those around us are so very important and are a way to show Christ’s love and give support to those who are in need.

What about you? Are you good at telling others how grateful you are? I’m not just talking about thanking God. Today I would like to focus more on how well we show our gratitude towards those around us. Like Nabel, if you ask most people if they are ungrateful, they will probably reply, “Of course not!”  However, this attitude is so ingrained in some of our lives, we are blind to it and do not see how ungrateful we really are.

But how can you tell if you are ungrateful? Are there things that identify an ingratitude attitude?  And if so, what can you do about it?

Webster’s Dictionary defines “Ingratitude” as: “Forgetfulness of, or poor return for, kindness received.” It can also be defined as not appreciating or valuing what you have, or have been given. Unexpressed gratitude is also ingratitude!”

What about an example of Ingratitude in Christ’s Day   Most are familiar with the many Bible accounts of Christ’s miracles. He walked on water, turned water into wine, fed thousands of people from a small amount of food, cast out demons and healed many people. But, although He healed many, how many do you think actually came back to thank Him?

Luke’s gospel records one such miraculous healing. In this account, Christ healed ten lepers. 

Luke 17:12-19

“Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosymet him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”

When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.

One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.

Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

Between these lines I can almost hear how sad Jesus was. Of the ten lepers, only one returned to thank Christ. Think of that statement. Only one of the ten thanked Him for healing them of an awful disease! Even though Jesus’ reaction was not quite the same as David’s, it obviously hurt when those people did not come back to say, “Thank you.”

All too often the sad reality is that we do not realize how much our lack of gratitude can affect others.

How many of those people around us feel unappreciated by their own family members, wives, husbands, parents, siblings, and children, even our friends or acquaintances that we come in contact with.  And what kind of effect is it having on their heart?

What kind of effect does it have on you? 

What I am proposing today is that we need to Encouraging Others by showing our gratitude:

#1) Ask God to show you those who are overwhelmed—the single parent, the abandoned spouse, or stressed out father who needs a word of hope, or a friend who feels weighed down by their spouse’s infidelity or their parent’s impending death. Bring them a flower or a cup of coffee and tell them, “I know this is a hard time, but never forget that I’ve got your back and I am praying for you.”

When we see a young mother trying to deal with tired, whiny children. Give them a hug and encourage them and let them know, “You’re doing fine. With little kids, some days are hard. But you’re a great mom.”

#2) Affirm the caregivers. Try to understand the physical and emotional drain that often accompanies such a responsibility of taking care of one’s elderly and sometimes sick parents or loved one.  Watch for chances to tell caregivers, “I know it’s not easy, but God can see what you do for your loved one and is very pleased.”

#3) Be sensitive to the needs of the grieving long after a death. I still feel sad at times at the loss of my dad. And we need to realize the even though a friend who may have experienced such a loss can paste a smile on their face and say they are ‘OK’, realize that they may still be hurting, lonely, and sad in the inside.

#4) Show appreciation and gratitude to those you work with everyday. The grind of the workplace needs the oil of kind and affirming words like: “I appreciate your diligence what you do here.” “I’m really glad that you are here. It makes a real difference.” “Thanks for helping me out here”. “Good work.”

#5) Spread the fragrance of Christ through appreciation and gratitude to people in the service industries. Thank, and even tip those who do those menial tasks for you; Waitresses, check out lady, garbage man, mailman, paper boy, etc. Let them know that they are appreciated!

#6) Build up your family members with public and private words of affirmation. “Thanks for working so hard on the yard.” “I appreciate you doing so much around the house.”  “Wow, you are a great bargain hunter.” “Thank you so much for filling the gas tank for me.” “I’m so blessed to have you as a child.” “Mom, dad, I can never say thank you enough.”  Whatever it takes, show your gratitude regularly. It will pay of in the long run.

#7) Also it good to Remember Your Spiritual Family Thank those who do their best to serve Christ in some manner. Satan seems to work overtime to discourage them. If someone goes out of their way to serve or does something special in their service to Christ encourage them and show your appreciation.

Don’t underestimate the power of encouragement. Sometimes it won’t cost you anything but your kind words. But other times it takes a bit more effort to lift someone up after they get feeling unappreciated and discouraged.  Abigail made a serious effort to pick David back up and show her appreciation.

Let encouragement and sharing you gratitude become a lifestyle.

Proverbs 15:4 says 

“The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life,”

And 25:11 says 

“A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”

And of course Hebrews 10:24-25 that says,

“consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. ²⁵ Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

My encouragement today is that you make it a daily practice to spread the fragrance of Christ’s love to others through showing your appreciation to those you come in contact with.  Don’t make the mistake of becoming an ungrateful person.

For more lessons click on the following link: http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?page_id=566

From Jim McGuiggan... All Israel will be saved (2)

All Israel will be saved (2)

Whatever we make of Romans 11:26 we need to remember that it is Paul's triumphant assurance that God is faithful to his commitments. Chapters 9—11 have many difficulties but there's no doubt about what Paul's means to say: In the face of much that bewilders and behind much that has a God-denying look there is a God who can be trusted to keep his promises. Some have looked at 9—11 and walked away fuming. When Paul is done writing it he bursts into praise that just won't be kept imprisoned (11:33-36). Maybe if we knew what he knew and saw what he saw we'd burst into praise as well. "Qohelet" in Ecclesiastes 1 watches the sun rise and set, rise and set, rise and set. "See," he said, "everything is empty and pointless. Nobody cares. There's nothing but the same old same old." Jesus saw the sun rise and the sun set, rise and set, rise and set. "See," he said, "how kind the Holy Father is. He makes the sun to rise on the righteous and the unrighteous." They both saw the same thing...and yet, they didn't, did they? We read Romans 9—11 and ponder. Paul's reads it after he has written it and burst into praise and says to his secretary, "Add this, 'Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God'..."

Paul believed that God hardened Israel (11:7-10,25). Certainly Israel herself was in on the hardening process but Paul, following prophets before him and guided by God to see the present correctly, doesn't mince words. God blinded Israel and bowed their back. See The Hardened Heart in the Exodus lessons. But it wasn't the whole of Israel that was hardened; it was part of Israel. And the part that was hardened was not the righteous because God doesn't harden the hearts of righteous people. He hardens only those who are committed to unrighteousness and even then it is for a specific purpose. Hardened Israel had no grounds for complaint. It wasn't that they were righteous and God hardened their hearts against him. Their history revealed a pattern of apostasy and unrighteous behavior and when the Messiah appeared that bent for resisting God bottomed out and Israel suffered awful loss (11:12). What Israel (as a whole) had wanted they missed, but the remnant got it (11:7). They weren't blinded. They weren't hardened. They didn't suffer loss. They, and Paul was one of them (11:1-2) were proof that God hadn't rejected the children of Abraham through Jacob. It's nonsense to think that in Palestine that the bulk of Israel rejected Christ. James reminds Paul in Acts 21:20 of the many thousands of Jews that believed. In the scattered countries of the world the masses would not have heard of Jesus and therefore did not reject him. But that's another discussion.

The hardened were those who were lost before Jesus came along. It's a serious mistake to think that the hardening made them unbelievers. No, they were hardened because they were already unbelievers. With the coming of the Christ the plot thickened and revealed the hidden depths of Israel's lostness. This isn't anti-Semitism. Paul's quarrel with Israel is a lover's quarrel. And it isn't anti-Gentile to say that Gentile hands were covered with the blood of the Jewish Redeemer. Romans 11:32 says that God concluded all humans under sin that he might have mercy on them all. But we need to make up our mind to this: those that are hardened are unsaved! It isn't that unbelievers can't turn back to God and be saved—they certainly can (11:20,23). But while they are hardened in unbelief they are unsaved! Putting it in terms Peter used in Acts 3:22-23, those who reject the Messiah are cut off from among his people. However conciliatory we wish to be we're compelled to say that those who reject Jesus Christ as Lord are lost.

That means that Paul does not see a problem when he asserts that "all Israel will be saved" while equally insisting that "some of Israel will not be saved." But it is Israel he has in mind, ethnic Jews, not a non-ethnic, cosmopolitan community called "the church". When he says all Israel will be saved and some of Israel will not be saved he is talking about ethnic Israel!

The hardened are unsaved and it was God who hardened them. And why did God harden Israel? He hardened them that through them he might bring fullness of blessing to the Gentiles (11:12,30). And why did he bring fullness to the Gentiles? That Israel might feel the loss of their blessings and turn back to God in Christ (10:19-20, 11:11,14 and 15:27). When did God harden Israel? More than once, as the prophets testify. But in Paul's era it centers on the rejection of Jesus Christ to whom Israelites and Gentiles were privileged to look for salvation (see 15:8-12).

But what is Gentiles "fullness"? It can mean the "full number or complement" and that's how the NIV and the RSV render it. But it has many and various meanings. In 11:12 the NIV renders the same word as "fullness" (no word of "full number") and the RSV renders it "full inclusion". Paul uses the word (pleromati) in 15:29 to speak of the complete richness of Christ's blessing. The RSV leaves it as "fullness". I think the "fullness" of the Gentiles in 11:26 is the spiritual wealth with which God will bless the Gentiles. 

Note the contrasts in 11:11-12.  We have:

Jewish fall—Gentile salvation

Jewish fall—World riches

Jewish loss—Gentile riches

Jewish loss—Gentile fullness

There is nothing about "numbers" in the section. There is plenty about loss and gain and impoverishment and fullness. God hardens unbelieving Israel and it results in the crucifixion of the Messiah and that opens the door for rich Gentile blessing.

©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... The Virtue Of Gentleness (Philippians 4:5)

                     "THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS"

                      The Virtue Of Gentleness (4:5)

INTRODUCTION

1. Among several general exhortations which Paul includes in this last
   chapter of his epistle to the Philippians, we find the following
   admonition:

    "Let your gentleness (moderation,KJV) be known be known to
    all men. The Lord is at hand." - Php 4:5

2. The virtue referred to in this verse is a very important one, and well
   worth the time in this lesson taking a closer look at it.

[We begin by noticing...]

I. THE NATURE OF THIS VIRTUE

   A. DEFINITION OF "GENTLENESS"... (from Barclay)
      1. The word epi-ei-kei-a is one of the most untranslatable words in
         Greek
      2. The difficulty can be seen by the various translations given it:
         a. Patience (Wycliffe)
         b. Softness (Tyndale, Cranmer)
         c. The patient mind (Geneva Bible)
         d. Modesty (Rheims Bible)
         e. Forbearance (Revised Version)
         f. Moderation (King James Version)
         g. Sweet Reasonableness (Matthew Arnold)

   B. DESCRIPTION OF "GENTLENESS"... (from Erdmans)
      1. It describes that courtesy and graciousness which should
         characterize a Christian gentleman
      2. The term indicates something of "the power of yielding"
         a. The ability to give way to the wishes of others
         b. The poise of soul which enables one to sacrifice his own
            rights, not by necessity, but out of generosity and sympathy
      3. It is the opposite of stubbornness and thoughtlessness
      4. It was embodied in the man Jesus Christ - cf. 2Co 10:1

   C. "GENTLENESS", THEN... (as defined by Pulpit Commentary)
      1. Is the opposite of contention, rigor and severity
      2. Is the spirit that enables a man to bear injuries with patience,
         and not demand all that is rightly his due, for the sake of
         peace
      3. A good example of where this virtue is to be applied is seen in
         1Co 6:1-7 (note the willingness to be defrauded enjoined by
         the apostle Paul)

[Perhaps with a better grasp of the nature of this virtue, let's now 
examine...]

II. THE DISPLAY OF THIS VIRTUE

   A. IT IS TO BE A PERSONAL QUALITY OF ALL CHRISTIANS...
      1. Notice that Paul says "Let YOUR gentleness..."
      2. Elders especially must display this virtue - 1Ti 3:3
      3. So also should teachers - 2Ti 2:24-26 (not the same word used
         here, but the same idea)
      4. Indeed, ALL Christians are to display this virtue - Tit 3:1-2
      5. For good reason, for it is a part of that "heavenly wisdom"
         which comes from above - Jm 3:17

   B. IT IS TO BE KNOWN TO ALL MEN...
      1. This is the difficult part of the exhortation
         a. It is easy to be considerate, kind, and gentle toward some
            persons
         b. There are others, however, toward whom it is difficult to
            show a spirit of gentleness
      2. The hard task, and the real test, is to display this
         "gentleness" or "sweet reasonableness" toward...
         a. The unkind
         b. The thankless
         c. The perverse

[But as we continue on with our text, there is good reason to do so...]

III. THE REASON AND MOTIVE FOR DISPLAYING THIS VIRTUE

   A. "THE LORD IS AT HAND"...
      1. This may possibly mean "the Lord is nearby"
      2. Or it could refer to either meeting the Lord at death or at His
         final coming, both events are always imminent!
      3. He who is our Judge is ever watchful, ever aware of our conduct
         and treatment of others
      4. One day we will have to answer to this Judge!

   B. THE DANGER OF NOT DISPLAYING "GENTLENESS"...
      1. If we are not gentle in our treatment of others, do we expect
         Him to be gentle in His treatment of us?
      2. Remember the "Parable Of The Unforgiving Servant"? - Mt 18:21-35
      3. Also, James warning in Jm 2:13

CONCLUSION

1. The display of this virtue has great advantages...
   a. It can contribute much to the comfort of life and the peace of
      society, by reducing friction between people - e.g., Pr 15:1
   b. It can contribute to promoting the gospel of Christ (as we
      demonstrate by our example the "gentleness" found throughout the
      gospel message)

2. Are we a "gentle people"?  May we ever be, for "the Lord is at hand"!

Speaking of the Lord being at hand, are you living a life pleasing to
Him...?

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

From Gary... A change of venue

Today started out bad; I overslept, forgot to take clean-up bags with me for the morning dog walk and missed Bible Class.  But, the morning dog-walk was cool- about -  58 degrees and even this afternoon it barely reached eighty.  First time I was really able to wear long pants all day long; WOW!!!  This afternoon's walk was warm, but there was a refreshing cool breeze, which was a pleasant surprise!!!  On the way home, I realized how the seasons had changed, but it is nothing like I remember from up-state New York. When I saw the picture at the top, I realized how much I missed something like this.  No, that is not quite right - how I long to see this one more time!!!  Then, I remembered how the exiled Israelites felt in Babylon.  I couldn't remember exactly where that was in the Bible, so a quick search found this passage in the Psalms...

Psalm 137

  1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down.
Yes, we wept, when we remembered Zion.
  2 On the willows in its midst,
we hung up our harps.
  3 For there, those who led us captive asked us for songs.
Those who tormented us demanded songs of joy:
“Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”  4 How can we sing Yahweh’s song in a foreign land?
  5 If I forget you, Jerusalem,
let my right hand forget its skill.
  6 Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I don’t remember you;
if I don’t prefer Jerusalem above my chief joy.

You miss what you really love!!!  It took exile and servitude among the pagans for God's chosen people to appreciate what they no longer had.  This morning, just before the sermon, I looked around and saw some empty seats and it suddenly dawned on me how many of my fellow Christians had fallen asleep (died) over the past few years.  Funny thing is, it didn't make me feel bad at all, just sorry they were not around to fellowship with anymore. I will just have to wait until I transfer my membership to heavenly rolls in order to see them again.  Lord in heaven, help me to keep my eye on the prize and remain faithful until, I too pass the way of all things and see them again.  You know, it just occurred to me... I wonder if there are seasons in heaven?

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.”