10/09/2017: IN ALL THINGS GIVE THANKS
BIBLE READING
Psalm 148:1-13 (NIRV)
1 Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens.
Praise him in the heavens above.
2 Praise him, all his angels.
Praise him, all his angels in heaven.
3 Praise him, sun and moon.
Praise him, all you shining stars.
4 Praise him, you highest heavens.
Praise him, you waters above the skies.
5 Let all of them praise the name of the Lord,
because at his command they were created.
6 He established them for ever and ever.
He gave them laws they will always have to obey.
7 Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all the deepest parts of the ocean.
8 Praise him, lightning and hail, snow and clouds.
Praise him, you stormy winds that obey him.
9 Praise him, all you mountains and hills.
Praise him, all you fruit trees and cedar trees.
10 Praise him, all you wild animals and cattle.
Praise him, you small creatures and flying birds.
11 Praise him, you kings of the earth and all nations.
Praise him, all you princes and rulers on earth.
12 Praise him, young men and women.
Praise him, old men and children.
13 Let them praise the name of the Lord.
His name alone is honoured.
His glory is higher than the earth and the heavens.
Praise the Lord.
BIBLE READING
Colossians 3:12-17 (NIRV)
12 You are God’s chosen people. You are holy and dearly loved. So, put on tender mercy and kindness as if they were your clothes. Don’t be proud. Be gentle and patient. 13 Put up with one another. Forgive one another if you are holding something against someone. Forgive, just as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these good things put on love. Love holds them all together perfectly as if they were one.
15 Let the peace that Christ gives rule in your hearts. As parts of one body, you were appointed to live in peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message about Christ live among you like a rich treasure. Teach and correct one another wisely. Teach one another by singing psalms and hymns and songs from the Spirit. Sing to God with thanks in your hearts. 17 Do everything you say or do in the name of the Lord Jesus. Always give thanks to God the Father through Christ.
THOUGHTS FOR THE WEEK
Thanksgiving to the Lord can, at times, be an emotional response of gratitude to something the Lord has done. There is nothing wrong with that. Thanksgiving however, must always be primarily a response of faith – we need to learn the skills to give thanks to God despite what we might “feel” in a situation. This truth is a tough one to swallow; especially during times of personal pain, crisis, and loss. Thanksgiving to God in all situations, is a grateful acknowledgment that no matter what we face in life; no matter what we might feel at that time; God is always with us! That reality of constant connectedness to the Father, then gives us strength and courage to face whatever comes our way – and so we are thankful! The following Scripture readings, added to the Colossians passage above, will be helpful:
- Philippians 4:4-9, 12-13
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
- Isaiah 41:10
- Psalm 27
Have a blessed “Thanksgiving Week”.
Tim.