"Then say, 'Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together and deliver us from the nations, to give thanks to Thy holy name, and glory in Thy praise.'" (1 Chronicles 16:35, NASB)
This is exactly what our Lord Jesus Christ did for us in establishing the United States of America. He saved us, "from the nations," the nations which were oppressive, which frustrated entrepreneurship, basically, the tyranny of despotism. Americans, if America is to survive, must never forget this great deliverance.
Over the years I have made the observation that we tend to obey what we want to obey and not obey what we don't want to obey. Such a life is a life of disobedience------- even when we do "obey." The Bible refers to Followers of Jesus Christ as, "bondslaves"------- and a slave has no "rights;" he cannot choose which commands to obey. Obedience is the mark of a Follower of Jesus Christ, not prayer, Bible reading, worship, our good works, especially the ones which are our choosing, not Christ's.
The same can be said for thanksgiving. We tend to thank the Blessed Trinity for the things we are thankful for, not for those things, people, events which don't give us our way. "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise." Thanksgiving and praise are a heart attitude, not dependent on other people, circumstances, or my whims. All thanksgiving is based on the faithfulness of Him Who is called, "Faithful and True." I can, "give thanks in all circumstances" (NASB), because of Him Who is, "in all circumstances," in my life. This is not masochism. I am not thankful for pain and sorrow, but I am thankful that even, and maybe especially, in my pain and sorrow, Jesus Christ is at work in my life, working that which is, "well pleasing in His sight."
This American Thanksgiving, I pray that you will, "in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I give You thanks in all things, and for all things, because I know You are in all things, and for----- me. Amen.
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Prophetic News: www.apf327.blogspot.com
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
