Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
God, in His Word, calls and commands us to be thankful! As we prepare our hearts for Thanksgiving week take a moment to reflect on Psalm 100 and then write a thank you note to God. I know He’ll love it!
Psalm 100 (The Message) - A Thanksgiving Psalm
On your feet now—applaud God!
Bring a gift of laughter,
sing yourselves into his presence.
Know this: God is God, and God, God.
He made us; we didn’t make him.
We’re his people, his well-tended sheep.
Enter with the password: “Thank you!”
Make yourselves at home, talking praise.
Thank him. Worship him.
For God is sheer beauty,
all-generous in love,
loyal always and ever.
“Listen to your father, who gave you life...” Proverbs 23:22a
Today at Christian Life we celebrate my dad, Pastor Merrill’s, 80th birthday! What a milestone! His is a life worth celebrating. A life of faith. A life well lived. There is something beautiful about a long life filled with persevering faith. While the life lessons I’ve learned from my dad are numerous let me share a few of the ones that have impacted me the most.
Live with integrity.
Be an example.
Be prepared.
Work hard.
Be humble.
Obey God.
Be generous.
Pray.
I believe that we reap from the seeds sown from past generations and that not only personally, but as a church, we are reaping the seeds of faith sown by my dad, Pastor Merrill and our founding generation. Now it’s up to us to fulfill God’s purposes in our generation as we sow the seeds for a future harvest for our children and our children’s children.
You can listen to or watch the full presentation of these thoughts from our celebration weekend at http://christianlifechurch.org/#/watch-now.
The number one way the enemy enters your life is through fear. It’s important that we confess the Word of God when fear attacks us. Here’s some scriptures to help you break free from the power of fear.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
God has come to save me. I will trust in him and not be afraid. The Lord God is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. Isaiah 12:2
Perfect love expels all fear. 1 John 4:18
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10
Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. Isaiah 43:1
The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me? Hebrews 13:6
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6
You shall not fear them, for it is the Lord your God who fights for you. Deuteronomy 3:22
God has come to save me. I will trust in him and not be afraid. The Lord God is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. Isaiah 12:2
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27
