Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

It has been awhile since our last devotional, but soon they will be starting up again. We are currently in the process of expanding our website as well as recording our latest song. We will be sharing more about that soon!

But today, as we approach Thanksgiving and Christmas, I want talk briefly about the practice of thankfulness.

Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;
    let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before him with thanksgiving
    and extol him with music and song.
For the Lord is the great God,
    the great King above all gods.
In his hand are the depths of the earth,
    and the mountain peaks belong to him.
The sea is his, for he made it,
    and his hands formed the dry land.
Come, let us bow down in worship,
    let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;
for he is our God
    and we are the people of his pasture,
    the flock under his care.
Psalm 95:1-7 (NIV)

We live in a world that seems to be getting worse every day. Violence, fear, illness, hatred, and division surround us on a regular basis. Just this week, we heard the news of tragedy in Waukesha, Wisconsin – a town only a few minutes from where we used to live and a town that is home to several of our friends and co-workers. It was a senseless tragedy during a season that is supposed to be marked by gratitude, peace, joy and love, and our prayers go out to everyone who has been affected by it.

In times of tragedy, it can be more difficult to focus on thankfulness, but sadly, in our culture, it is way too easy for us to get stuck in negativity even when things are going well! The stubbed toe first thing in the morning, the pot that boils over, the computer program that somehow went horribly awry overnight, the frustrated co-worker who snaps the moment you walk in, the long line at the grocery store… all of these things can set our day on a downward spiral and cause us to be frustrated and ungrateful.

When we find ourselves in this situation, either due to a tragic situation or simply day-to-day frustration, we can quickly turn it around if we remember these things:

As sinful humans, we DESERVE nothing good, BUT God, in his amazing love for us, sent his Son Jesus who paid the ultimate price to redeem us and free us from the power of sin.

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:1-8 (NIV)

This world will be filled with evil because Satan is currently running things, but Jesus overcame the world, and has given us his Spirit so that we can overcome darkness.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Ephesians 6:10-12 (NIV)

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 (NIV)

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
1 John 4:4 (NIV)

This world is not our home!

For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Hebrews 13:14-16 (NIV)

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.“
John 14:1-3 (NIV)

In spite of the evils of this world, we have a Heavenly Father who loves us very much and wants to bless us.

“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”
Matthew 7:11 (NIV)

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
John 10:10 (NIV)

Being thankful is not something that always comes naturally. It takes practice. But if we make it a practice to consider how good and awesome our God really is, and how much he really loves us, we can begin to make thankfulness a habit, even when situations are not so great. And if you need an extra booster, start by listening to some good praise and worship music!

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

As we enter this holiday season, let’s make it a point to demonstrate the love of Jesus to a dark and confused world. Let us always give thanks for the mercy and grace of our Heavenly Father, the amazing sacrifice of Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit living in us.

Songs of Victory

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