Thankful for What?

[Richard OFfill]

Last night we gathered around the bed of 'Dottie'. She and her husband Leroy were my folks landlords in what must have been 1949. I anointed her. She had a stroke a week ago and was not able to talk. She was what we could say 'in there', that is she could understand but has lost the ability to speak.

So it will soon be Thanksgiving. I wonder what the family would say they are thankful for this year. Last year their mother was perky and spry, and now there she is .... . I know there is the saying that I complained that I had no shoes until I saw the man who had  no feet. I think that is so, but it must not be easy. Her first husband died of cancer and it looked to me like her sons were not members of the church. I don't know for sure.

In any event though we  know that all things work together for good to those who love God, But even with that promise it still must not be easy. 'Things' may not seem 'good' for the short haul but then in heaven who cares. Former things pass away. Why think of it when it doesn't hurt anymore.

[Soli Deo Gloria]

Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

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It is not suggested, but it is commanded that we give thanks in all circumstances. This is the will of God.

There is no suffering that any child of God can experience that is greater than what Christ suffered at Calvary on our behalf.

Hebrews 12:2
 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Sometimes in our sufferings we lose the eternal perspective. Our lives on this earth our very short. God sees all things from beginning to end. He is the author and finisher of our faith.

As believers, we have so much to be thankful for not only on Thanksgiving Day, but all the time. We know that Christ will be with us in our sufferings and illnesses.

I am very thankful for what God has provided in my life. He has given me more than I could ever want or hoped for even in times of trial.

We had an early Thanksgiving dinner today with my family--my 95 year old father and 89 year old mother who are both relatively healthy. So thankful to be with them today. My disabled wife was also able to attend in her wheel chair. She is very childlike in her ways, but there was one touching moment when she requested that I say a special prayer of thanksgiving for all who take care of her.
This is what helps to make it all worthwhile.

Soli Deo Gloria (To God alone be the glory)

[GraceVessel]

Hi Sweetie Bear,
I am so glad you found your badge! After you left I was having my worship. I was reading the Fresh Faith book by Jim Cymbala. The part I read really uplifted me and I felt closer to God after reading it. I

[newbie]

Hardest things for me to do:

1. love my enemies
2. praise God during trials and tests

Let's all give thanks at this time of year for what Jesus has done for us.

[restoretruth]

GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble
and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.

Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in;
hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them.
Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
He led them by a straight way till they reached a city to dwell in.
Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!
For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.

Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons,
for they had rebelled against the words of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High.
So he bowed their hearts down with hard labor; they fell down, with none to help.
Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and burst their bonds apart.
Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!
For he shatters the doors of bronze and cuts in two the bars of iron.

Some were fools through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities suffered affliction;
they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death.
Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.
Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!
And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!

Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters;
they saw the deeds of the LORD, his wondrous works in the deep.
For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea.
They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their evil plight;
they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits' end.
Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.
Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven.
Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!
Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.


He turns rivers into a desert, springs of water into thirsty ground,
a fruitful land into a salty waste, because of the evil of its inhabitants.

He turns a desert into pools of water, a parched land into springs of water.
And there he lets the hungry dwell, and they establish a city to live in;
they sow fields and plant vineyards and get a fruitful yield.
By his blessing they multiply greatly, and he does not let their livestock diminish.
When they are diminished and brought low through oppression, evil, and sorrow,
he pours contempt on princes and makes them wander in trackless wastes;
but he raises up the needy out of affliction and makes their families like flocks.
The upright see it and are glad, and all wickedness shuts its mouth.

Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD.
Psalm 107 (ESV)  

We are thankful that God is a merciful God who hears the cries of all who call upon Him in their need or when in distress!