Devot. A Heritage of Thanksgiving

Dear Friends,

I hope you all had a peaceful weekend! Well Thanksgiving is this week!  Where did the time go?

The devot. for today is a bit of a refresher in the history of our country.

I read a statement online this week that said Thanksgiving is not a religious holiday. 

 I agree in one way and beg to differ in another way.

 

I agree that Thanksgiving is not a religious holiday.  At least it is not celebrated in that way by many at this point in our country.  I say this with deep sadness. I do agree though that at one point in our nation's history it was a time when family's reflected on God's blessings, realizing from Whom "all blessings flow" (words from a hymn) and they offered up heartfelt thanks  to the Lord around the Thanksgiving table. 

 I also wanted to state that at the heart of the first Thanksgiving was 'religion.' The Pilgrims came to this country from a distant land so that they could worship as they pleased without the penalty of persecution.  They wanted to go to the church of their choice, worship God from their hearts.  not go to a specific church because it was the law of their country and worship God based on traditions and rituals of that church or country's religion.   

 

At the first Thanksgiving, the Pilgrims decided to give thanks for even the little bit they had.

They had survived a very hard winter, lose of loved ones due to starvation and yet they wanted to thank God for the meager provisions they had, the friendship of their new Indian neighbors and the fact they lived to make it to another day in their new country.

 As I said last week, we should be mindful, thankful, and prayerful for what we do have-however little or much- as it is more than some. 

I also wanted to share something neat, a statement that was a blessing to me.  My church had a Thanksgiving Praise service at my church yesterday-church service, hymns that were Thanksgiving in theme, a traditional Thanksgiving meal afterwards, and a chance to say in church what we were thankful for.  One lady who is new in church said that this was her first time to celebrate Thanksgiving!  She is from Australia and they do not celebrate it down there.  She really made me think when she said very fervently that she thinks every country should celebrate Thanksgiving as it is a time to set aside to really thank God for His blessings.  I think she is very true!

 

In closing, I pray this devot, would remind you of this history of Thanksgiving and give you a burden to share with your children, grandchildren the true meaning of this Thursday.  Based on curriculum in school now a days, they may not get the full story, esp. the spiritual side of the Pilgrims search for religious freedom which is what even led to the first Thanksgiving.

Please feel free to pass this devot. on as well.  Just please erase my email:)

May the Lord bless you and your family this Thanksgiving with His grace, and presence!  From my family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!  (Devot. and song link below)

Devot. http://www.icr.org/article/heritage-thanksgiving/    

 

Thanksgiving Song Link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGt4-KyFwe4

Devot. Thanksgiving

Dear Friends,

I hope you had a super weekend!

The devot. for today shows that there are 2 ways to give thanks-thanksgiving and praise-giving and the devot. explains the difference between the two.

 

Scripture says that "in every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

I know that it isn't always easy to thank God for problems in life, situations that come up.  It's easier to complain than to have a grateful heart and character to say 'thank you.'  But Scripture says we are supposed to AND it is God's will that we do too:)

I was saying yesterday to our church that in spite of what we don't have or want and don't have, we have more than most. 

Think of our brothers and sisters in Christ in Iraq who have lost homes, towns and children because of the  evil that is terrorizing them right now!  I know none of us are going through that at this time, thank the Lord.

When I start complaining about something, my mom lovingly reminds me that I can see, walk, talk, hear, breathe on my own and have a roof over me, food on the table. 

More than most....

 

In regards to our suffering brothers and sisters in Iraq, they are in need of clean water and warm blankets as they don't have access to drinkable water and the temps in Iraq are below bitter right now.    If you, your church, work group, Sunday School, children's youth group/sports team could help, RUN Ministries is asking for any amount of help and it is tax deductible.  http://runministries.org/

 

It saddens me when I think that folks have been driven out of their homes, lost children due to ISIS and it spurs me to help through my daily prayers and any other way.

Please pray about it how groups you may know could help and certainly be praying for RUN that the Lord would abundantly meet those needs.

 

Below are two reminders (devot. and song link) of all we have to be grateful for.  

 

Lord bless your week with His peace and protection!

Devot. http://www.icr.org/article/1245  (Used by permission.  Taken from http://www.icr.org/)

 

Song Link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0svXA-oRTk  (FYI The pianist in this video is blind.)

Devot. The Eyes of the Lord

Dear Friends,

I pray that you and your families have had a blessed, healthy and safe week!

The devot. for today is a reminder that the Lord knows where you are, sees you,

and knows your needs-spiritual and physical needs, He knows all about you.

Pray the devot. is a blessing and Lord bless and keep you and your families safe this weekend.

 

Devot. http://www.icr.org/article/4688/  (Used by Permission.  Taken from http://www.icr.org/)

 

Song Link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOm2mMusqUw 

 

P.S.  Off the subject, but I have been thinking over the last week that as the weather turns colder and some states already have snow that as you drive to and fro, keep your eyes open for any animals that are outside (dogs, horses etc..) that may not have proper shelter or have been outside for too long (like your neighbors dogs).  I had a 'Humane Law Enforcement Officer tell me once that it was the public, in part, that kept them informed of needs and concerns.   I have a big heart and concern for animals and when this time of year comes I worry:)  I try to make others aware of their everyday surroundings and encourage them to contact their local animal shelter, animal control, local police (you can remain anonymous) if you see something that just doesn't seem right.   

Just felt led to mention:)  Blessings.

Devot. Election Day

Dear Friends,

 

 

I hope you had a super weekend!  Well tomorrow is the General Election for the US.  The devot. below gives a reminder to believers that we can make a difference in our nation by our vote. 

 

Remember 2 Chronicles 7:14? "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways;  then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 

 

Our land being healed, restored, turning back to the Lord and the values of the Bible begins with us-the believers in the land, not anyone else. 

 

Also based on the Bible, what type of a leader should we vote for? I have also included a very short devot. on the qualifications of a good leader.  The verses gives apply to a pastor or deacon, but the qualities can apply to any man (or tweak it a bit for a lady).  Some of the qualifications based on Scripture are those who choose life, moral/family values just to name two.

 

I was also just thinking of Romans 13:1, "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God."

This was is a blessed reminder to me that no matter the outcome of the elections in our states, the Lord calls us to obey our authorities because He is the one who 'ordains',

sets in place, those who hold office.

 

I pray that as you read this devot. and compare it to who you are voting for, may the Lord give you wisdom in making wise choices that will honor Him and help to turn our nation back to Him. 

Lord bless you and your family this week! (Scripture links and devot., qualifications devot. below)

 

Scripture Link: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=phil.+3%3A17-21&version=KJV  (A reminder from Paul to the Philippian church to follow the examples of other true believers, that there are those out there who are enemies of the cross of Jesus, but that our 'conversation'- means 'citizenship' in the Greek, is really in Heaven.  Earth is our temporal home until we get to Heaven.)  

 

 Devot. http://www.icr.org/article/election-day/   

 

A short list of qualifications: http://www.icr.org/article/qualifications-leaders/