Thank You!

I woke up with the words of this chorus, written by John C. Hallett in 1917, running through my head.
“Thank you, Jesus, for all you’ve done,
Thank you, Lord.
Thank you, Jesus, for victories won.
Oh, thank you, Lord.
For thy love and tender care
For thy Word and answered prayer.
Thank you, Jesus, for all you’ve done.
Thank you, Lord.”

I couldn’t help thinking about what Jesus has done.
He was there in the beginning at Creation.
Laying aside His glory, He left heaven and came to earth, born as a baby.
He grew up, lived a perfect exemplary life,
Healed the sick, raised the dead, fed the multitudes,
Discipled twelve men while teaching many others about the kingdom of God.

Victories Won
He died a brutal death so we could be forgiven of our sins and reconciled to a holy God.
He conquered death, rising from the tomb, promising eternal life to those who believed in Him,
And ascended to heaven where He is interceding for us, even now.

Love
Greater love hath no man than this – that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13).

Tender care
He is the good shepherd (John 10:11)
As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him (Psalm 103:13).

His Word
The Scriptures! They bring comfort to the suffering soul,
Joy to the downcast heart,
Peace to the anxious mind,
Instructions for living,
Light to guide our paths.

Answered Prayer
How many wonderful answers I’ve seen over the years –
Not always the answers I’ve wanted, but always what He deemed best.
“Thank You, Lord.”

What has He done for you? 

Have you thanked Him?

Blessings,

Ruth

THANKS-LIVING

Perhaps, like me, in November you wrote down something you were thankful for each day. Now that November is over, when you look over that list, you might pat yourself on the back – “Bravo! I did it! 30 days in a row intentionally being thankful for something or someone. Whew! Glad that’s over. Now I can get back to normal.”

Do you see the humor in that? When viewed as a task completed it implies an end to something, a finished work. But for the Christian, being thankful is not an option, not a task to finish but to live out. To not be thankful is to be thankless, ungrateful, unappreciative.

We are smack in the middle of a busy season that is only going to get busier over the next couple of weeks. Crowded stores, multiple seasonal events, visitors, baking, cleaning, congested traffic, impatient people …

What if we started and ended each day being thankful?

For God – (Great things He has done and is doing),

For our families (for putting up with us),

For friends (for the gift of their friendship),

For kind strangers we encounter along the way,

For those who provide needed services – first responders, service men and women, medical people, postal workers, delivery drivers, harried salesclerks, servers in restaurants, repairmen,

For teachers who continue teaching even after their students have checked out,

For church staff and pastors who preach extra services during the season,

For musicians who bless us with their music,

And so many others you could add to the list.

From a heart of thankfulness words of appreciation and gratitude could flow. Maybe we could start a list of people we can bless with our words this month. Maybe we could start with the people in our own homes.

The Apostle Paul wrote, “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers” (1 Thessalonians 1:2). He was thankful for people in his life, and he told them!

Who are you thankful for today? Give them the gift of your thankfulness and your smile. You might just make their day.

Blessings,

Ruth

And me? I’m thankful for you, the reader who is reading this right now!

Giving Thanks

This year Americans will celebrate Thanksgiving on November 23rd. Declared a national holiday by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863 and celebrated annually, Thanksgiving is reminiscent of a three-day harvest festival celebrated by Pilgrims and Indians in 1621, following a very difficult season in which they lost many friends and family members.

Thanksgiving reminds us that even in the toughest circumstances, we have reasons to give thanks. Each November I challenge myself (and others) to make a list of 30 different things – a gratitude list of things I am thankful for.

King David challenged his nation to give thanks – to call on the name of the Lord, and to make His deeds known (1 Chronicles 16:8). Can you imagine that happening today – a nation challenged to call on the name of the Lord and to make His deeds known? What if WE as individuals did that. What if WE were the ones who challenged others to call on the name of the Lord? What if WE made His deeds known to others?

Giving thanks is a good thing. Psalm 92:1 says, “It is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing praises to His name.” In a world full of bad things, we can do a good thing by displaying an attitude of thankfulness.

The Apostle Paul gave thanks for fellow believers (Romans 1:8, 1 Corinthians 1:4, Ephesians 1:16, 2 Thessalonians 1:3). Now, we know that it is not always easy to get along with one another, but we are to be thankful for each other despite our differences.
Paul tells us to pray with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6)
and to give thanks in all circumstances (1Thessalonians 5:18).

Daniel had a habit of giving thanks (Daniel 6:10) even when he knew that doing so would result in seriously bad consequences. He prayed with thanksgiving, as was his custom, even when he knew that his enemies would throw him to the lions.

Jesus made a practice of giving thanks (Matthew 14:19; 15:36; 26:26-27; Mark 6:41). Jesus, the very Son of God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, gave thanks as He shared food with those He loved.

For the believer, thankfulness is not optional.

So, what about that gratitude list? It’s not too late to start one. And just maybe, as you share a Thanksgiving meal with friends or family members, you can share something off your list.

The Lord has done great things. Let’s make His deeds known.

Blessings,
Ruth

Colossians 2:6-7 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught,
and overflowing with thankfulness.

It’s a Choice

“We give thanks to Thee, O God, we give thanks!” Psalm 75:1(a)

Giving thanks is not always a natural response, especially when life throws you a curveball, or you are not feeling well, or you face difficult decisions, or… In tough times often the more natural inclination is to complain. But being thankful is not only commanded, it is also a choice. Sometimes it helps to reflect back on life and remember. Here are a few reasons I am thanking God today:

He is the Provider: He has provided for me my whole life. His provision is plentiful, life-sustaining, and satisfying. His provision is for now and for all eternity. (And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 NASB) This is a whole topic in itself, and maybe I will blog about each of these points separately. Stay tuned.

He is the Protector: When I think back on all my travels (and we have traveled a lot!), the various places we have lived, the potential for harm and injury… When I acknowledge that at times I have been in danger – knowingly and unknowingly … I must thank Him for the many ways He protected me. (The Lord is your protector; The Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun will not beat down on you by day, Nor the moon by night. The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in from this time and forever. Psalm 121:5-8 NASB)

He is the Peace-Giver: He fills my heart and mind with peace – in times of uncertainty, unpredictability – in times that otherwise could cause anxiety – He gives His peace to me, and I am thankful. (Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 NIV)

He is the great Physician: So many times He was with me in illness, and He carried me through. He healed my broken bones, my childhood and tropical illnesses, viruses, and infections. He brought me through surgeries and post-op recoveries. (Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases. Psalm 103:2-3 ESV)

He is my Pace Setter: Although too often I try to run ahead, taking on more than He asks of me, He always reins me in and brings me back to the pace He wants me to keep. He sets the perfect pace – not too fast and not too slow. If I would only listen, ask, and wait, I would be better for it! (The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Psalm 37:23 KJV)

His is the Power enabling me to go on when I don’t feel like it. His power helps me persevere when I feel weak. It is in His strength that anything of value is accomplished. (I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 BSB)

He is the Perfecter of my faith (Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3 NASB)

He is my Go-To Place: He is the very place of peace, rest, and safety – where I can feel His Presence. He holds me near to His heart and I want to linger there. Yet so often I yield to distractions and run off chasing after this or that – things of unimportance – things that take my focus away from Him. Although I am always with Him, I do not always acknowledge or seem to be aware of Him – in and around me. (For in him we live, and move, and have our being… Acts 17:28 KJV)

The hymn, Near to the Heart of God, expresses it well:

There is a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God,
a place where sin cannot molest, near to the heart of God.

There is a place of comfort sweet, near to the heart of God,
a place where we our Savior meet, near to the heart of God.

There is a place of full release, near to the heart of God,
a place where all is joy and peace, near to the heart of God.

Refrain:
O Jesus, blest Redeemer, sent from the heart of God,
hold us, who wait before thee, near to the heart of God.

– Cleland Boyd McAfee (1866 – 1944)

As you reflect back on your life what will you choose to thank God for?
Blessings,
Ruth

Giving Thanks

It’s always bothered me that much attention and preparation is given to Halloween, yet often little is given to Thanksgiving. Christmas seems to follow immediately on the heels of Halloween, without even a pause. I would like to think that’s because we have grateful hearts year-round, or that we habitually give thanks, remembering that all we have comes from the gracious, loving hand of our Father God. But somehow, I don’t think so.

In this age of entitlement, gratitude seems to be a disappearing trait. Abundance hinders the compulsion to express gratitude. Had we been among those early pilgrims back in 1621, when the hardship of winter wiped out 50% of the population, when they suffered greatly while striving to eke out an existence, and where survival was a hard-fought-for prize, perhaps we would be more grateful. We might more readily celebrate and worship with truly thankful hearts. That early Thanksgiving in America’s history was a celebration of the bountiful harvest. The three-day celebration was shared with neighboring Native American Indians who had been so helpful to the newcomers – Pilgrims and Indians feasting and sharing together.

National Thanksgiving celebrations were held in the USA at other times throughout history, such as at the end of the Revolutionary War, and after ratification of the Constitution, and after various battle-ending victories. In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a National Holiday to be celebrated on the 4^th Thursday in November.

The holiday now often includes parades, football, family gatherings, and of course, food – so much food! But what about the “thanks”?  How integral is the giving of thanks to the success of the holiday?  And to whom are we thankful?

Thanks springs from a heart of gratitude. Johnson Oatman, writer of many hymn lyrics, wrote some words that can help prepare us to give thanks. His words were put to music by Edwin O. Excell and published in 1897. The chorus goes like this:

                              Count your blessings, name them one by one;
                              Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
                              Count your blessings, name them one by one;
                              Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

This Thanksgiving, however you choose to observe it, take time to give thanks. Encourage those you are with to express thanks. Consider what God has done in your life this year and let this holiday center on the greatness and goodness of God.  

Here are some ideas:

• Ask each person to share something they are thankful for.
• Have a time of prayer – giving thanks only, without asking for anything.
• Make a personal list of things you are thankful for.
• Read Scripture verses about thankfulness.

               These may help you get you started:

                             1 Chronicles 16:8-9, 34

                             Psalm 69:30

                             Psalm 95:1-7

                             Psalm 100

                             Psalm 105:1-2

                             Psalm 106:1

                             Psalm 107:1

                             Psalm 119:62

                             Psalm 147:7

                             Colossians 2:6,7

                             Colossians 4:2

                             1 Thessalonians 5:18

• Read examples of people in the Bible giving thanks. Here are just a few:

                              Jesus – Matthew 15:36 and 26:26-27

                              Anna – Luke 2:36-38

                              Samaritan – Luke 17:11-16

                              Paul – Acts 27:34-35; Philippians 1:3

                              Daniel – Daniel 6:10

                              Jonah – Jonah 2:9

So often we feel thankful but fail to give thanks! Let’s fix that.

Blessings,

Ruth

“Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength
be to our God for ever and ever.
Amen!” (Revelation 7:12)