Thanksgiving Everyday

“Thanksgiving" everyday? Who could stand it, with all that dressing and dessert, potatoes and pies? No, I am not talking about that "Thanksgiving". Of course, when Abraham Lincoln declared that an annual day be set aside the fourth Thursday in every November, he had more in mind than overindulging in our favorite foods. The day was to be "a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens."(Lincoln). One wonders how many of our countrymen think more of God on that day than food and football.
But long before there was a "Thanksgiving Day," David proclaimed, "Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples! " 1 Chron 16:8 (NKJV). Yes, it is God's deeds that should make us thankful people, every day. They do not just come upon us once a year, or occasionally. Psalms 68:19 says, "Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our salvation." (Psalms 68:19). It would be more than difficult; yes, impossible, to keep up with all of the marvelous blessings that God gives us on a daily basis. We keep on taking and using what he gives us- material and spiritual blessings in abundance, and he keeps on refilling our plate each day. His supply is endless. He never says, "You are taking too much." He does not offer complaints that we are doing too little. Of course, we could never do enough to deserve all of His benefits. Consider, Luke 17:10, "So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do." It is his mercy that is everlasting. Psalm 103:17 says, "But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children." As David said, he is the "God of our salvation." None would be saved but for his grace. We have him to thank for every blessing.

Have you benefited from God's blessings? Surely! Do you continually thank Him for his blessings?

It is sad to know that many today are like those described in Romans 1:21,
"Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God,
neither were thankful..." Instead, let us follow Paul's admonition,
"Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Eph. 5:20)

We're Proud of Our Veterans

Veteran's Day serves as a reminder each year of the great sacrifices made by those who have fought for our country. It is a day to give honor to those to whom honor is due(See Romans 13:7). All of the wars that have been fought to preserve our freedoms and safeguard our democracy have demanded payment of a great price by our soldiers. They have left their homes and families, their jobs, their places of safety to go into harm's way. They have done so unselfishly for the benefit of others more than themselves. In speaking of Jesus sacrifice, Paul said in Romans 5:7, "For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die." Yes, they have risked and some given their lives. Those brave men who have fought for us are indeed worthy of honor.

But what about the spiritual veterans? Will we honor those who have fought in our wars and not show honor to those who have fought many battles to preserve and defend the truth. There are many who have gone before us who have sacrificed tremendously that we might enjoy a knowledge of our Saviour and that we might be in his kingdom and have opportunity to be saved. Do we show appreciation to these?
What about those who have taught us the gospel of Christ. Paul did not bring it up for his own benefit, but he reminded Philemon on behalf of Onesimus, "I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay--not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides." (Philemon 1:19) Perhaps it was your parents, or your preacher, or an elder or a dear lady who taught your childhood Bible class, but someone helped you to come to know Jesus. Have you taken the time to give any honor to them?
Paul reminded the young preacher, "Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine."(1 Timothy 5:17). I am often reminded of the sacrifices that my own Dad made to serve as an elder in the church. I remember fondly those who labored diligently and stood for truth and helped me in so many ways, that are now gone on to their reward, in the Maytown church. I was a very young preacher when I came here and having those "veteran" elders by my side was invaluable. They wanted to do what was right in God's sight and what was best for every church member.

If you, like many of us, are second, third or more generation Christians, you have had those in your family who have paid the price of sacrifice and suffering to remain faithful to our blessed Lord. You are faithful because the "old folks" did not forsake the law of God. Have you thanked them?

Of course our gratitude is first and foremost to be to God. Were it not for our Lord's supreme
sacrifice, none could be saved. Peter said in 1 Peter 3:18, "For Christ also suffered once for
sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God..." One can not live long enough,
to honor him enough. But let's not forget to honor all of our "veteran saints" who have fought
the good fight of faith.
David Courington

Dear Santa- I Want A Time-out Chair

We know that children don't always know what is best for them, but they usually know what they want. Addi, my 3 year old grandaughter wants a "Time-Out Chair" for Christmas. She saw it in a Christmas catalog and Santa got a good laugh out of her stange request at Christmas Village on Saturday.
Paul, her Dad, said he thought she wanted it so she would not get any more spankings. That could be. Maybe she could learn a lesson from Brer Rabbit about how to get what she wants.
Every child may not want it, but they do all need discipline. Prov. 22:15 says, "Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him." Also, Prov. 29:15 says, "The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame." There are many types of discipline and different things work for different personalities, but all children need discipline. Some even ask for it.
Hebrews 12 makes it clear that even adults need discipline. We may not want it, but it is for our good.