Pastor's Corner - November 18th, 2022

In less than a week, the American people will pause for the Thanksgiving holiday, and take a moment to reflect on and express their thanks for the blessings of their lives. It can be easy in this day and age to get bogged down in the challenges we face, and the difficulties of our life - and not reflect on the positives and the thankfulness. 

As we prepare for gathering with family, or with friends - I hope we can keep these passages in mind, and be supremely thankful to our great God for everything that He does for us. 

"To stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD and likewise at evening."
--1 Chronicles 23:30 (NKJV)

Do we praise our God morning and evening? Do we sing His praises and express our thanks to Him, offering up our prayers and voices to Him? 

"I will praise the LORD according to His righteousness, and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high."
--Psalm 7:17 (NKJV)

When was the last time that we sang praises to God specifically outside of our worship service? Have we broken out in song to Him - lifting up our voices, singing the praises of He who is righteous? Honoring His righteousness?

"Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms" 
--Psalm 95:2 (NKJV)

When we come before God, coming into His presence, it's important to do so with thanksgiving - the recognition of who and what God is. How He cares for us, and provides for us - and with thankfulness and recognition approach His throne.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." --Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)

The world around us is a world that is full of anxiety... of concern, worry, but God calls us to be different and view things differently. In every situation, even the darkest and most difficult situations, through prayer and petition to God, with thanksgiving - with the giving of thanks in our heart, we are to present our requests to God.

How can we do this?

"The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him." --Psalm 28:7 (NKJV)

He is our strength. Our shield. It is in Him that we trust - and because of that great care, we rejoice, we give thanks and praise Him with our song. 

As we come into Thanksgiving this year, and as we consider the incredible blessings that our God has poured out upon us - let us lift up our voice to Him, praising Him and thanking Him for all He does for us.

Have a wonderful Sabbath!

Ben