“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).
In his note of thanks to the Philippian church for their assistance as he has preached the gospel, the Apostle Paul takes the opportunity to encourage and admonish the Christians to whom he writes. In his message, he embeds the ideas of contentment, prayer, and thanksgiving. Having been reminded this past week of being thankful, it is well that we refresh our minds about thanksgiving as God’s people. Our thankfulness is not restricted to one day a year but it is to be every day. Throughout the scriptures, we are reminded that we are to be a thankful people—for the unthinkable gift of a loving Savior who made possible our forgiveness as well as for the abundant material blessings with which we have been surrounded. With these material and spiritual blessings goes the responsibility of continuing to express our supreme gratitude to our loving Heavenly Father. “And the children of Israel said to them, “Oh, that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat and when we ate bread to the full! For you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger” (Exodus 16:3).
The children of Israel are speaking to Moses and Aaron when they come forth with this rash declaration, brought on by the difficulties with which they were faced in the wilderness. They had forgotten the misery of Egypt—they had forgotten the violent acts committed against them—they had forgotten the task masters who continued to make their lives more and more miserable. Rather than thanking God for releasing them from the slavery of Egypt, they complained bitterly because of some problems they encountered on their travels. Likewise, how easy it is for us to forget the overpowering spiritual blessing God has given us—He has given us freedom from slavery to sin so that we can have hope of eternal life with Him some day. May our hearts always be filled with nothing but the deepest gratitude for this blessing. |
Joe NortonArchives
September 2023
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4601 SW Green Oaks Blvd. Arlington, TX 76017
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Service Times: Sundays 10:00 & 2:30. Wednesdays 7:30
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