Thanks - Giving

Kaye bringing offerings
of thanks-giving



I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart,
    and I will glorify your name forever." Psalm 86:12 NRSV

As my husband and I headed out for worship last night, he asked me when Thanksgiving became a Christian holiday. That was the second time someone asked me this year about the purpose of a thanks-giving service on the eve of the Federal holiday of Thanksgiving. The question kind of floors me when I hear it. If we're not giving thanks to God, then who or what? Of course, if we're giving thanks, we ought to be giving it to God. He has cared for us and provided for us abundantly.

The service was led mainly by the choir with "The Holy City" as they helped us to remember, through both spoken and sung words, the things that God has done for us through Jesus that we might obtain the precious gift of eternal life in the Holy City, in the Kingdom of God.

Our thank offerings for the evening included food for our local food pantry at St. Vincent de Paul's in order that others might receive their daily bread and give thanks to the Lord, who is our provider.  Thanksgiving is about giving thanks and; yes, it is also about giving that which was first given us.

The question when did thanksgiving become a Christian holiday does, in fact, kind of stump me. It has always been a time set aside to give thanks for all that God has given us. I did not give much thought to my response to my husband. I just sort of shook my head and told him, "Well, since so few people want to worship and thank God for the gift of Jesus on Christmas morning, we're going to do it on Thanksgiving Eve." We did. Thanks be to God working through the Zion Choir!

May God bless you in your thanks - giving.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. Due to the lack of interest in worship on Christmas morning, Zion, as well as many other Christian churches, do not worship on Christmas morning. The congregation does; however, have candle-light Christmas Eve Service both at 6 pm and 11 pm (ends a little after midnight) in order to fulfill my stubborn desire to worship on Christmas morning.

Never Stop Praying

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thess 5:16-18 NRSV

There is so much to be thankful for. The reasons to rejoice never end because "we know that all things work together for good for those who love God." (Rom 8:28) Yet, we know that there among those whom we love who do not love God and so we pray without ceasing. We pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that they may be strengthened in their inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith, as they are being rooted and grounded in love. We pray that they may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that they may be filled with all the fullness of God." (Eph 3:16-19)

Because we love even those who do not love or know God, we will never stop praying for them. We will joyfully give thanks for we know that God hears our prayers and answers, according to His good will.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Thanks Be To God For All The Saints

Today is all Saints Sunday. At worship this morning we will be placing in the offering plates. as an offering of thanksgiving, the names of many who have gone before us and many who are still with us who have helped us on our journeys through this world. Some have fed us with food for our bodies while others have fed us spiritually.

Christ has worked through many to help us on our journey; to bring us closer to God; to help build up our faith by sharing the Word with us. They have and continue to give much for the sake of the Body of Christ. Some have given food and shelter. Some have fed us with the Word of God. Some have given even their whole lives for us. So, today we give thanks to God for those saints who so generously have given of their love.

St. Paul wrote: "You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us; for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God." 2 Cor 9:11-12

Indeed, let us give thanks, today and every day, for the generosity and the willingness of others to make Christ known to us.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Our Daily Bread

The Fourth Petition.

Give us this day our daily bread.

What does this mean?--Answer.
God gives daily bread, even without our prayer, to all wicked men; but we pray in this petition that He would lead us to know it, and to receive our daily bread with thanksgiving.
What is meant by daily bread?--Answer.
Everything that belongs to the support and wants of the body, such as meat, drink, clothing, shoes, house, homestead, field, cattle, money, goods, a pious spouse, pious children, pious servants, pious and faithful magistrates, good government, good weather, peace, health, discipline, honor, good friends, faithful neighbors, and the like.

(http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php)

 

The Lord provides. Lately, my granddaughter has been asking me if I am praying again. Yes, I do a lot of praying and no it doesn't matter to me if it's a public place. When she sees my head bowed it is an indicator not to interrupt my moment with God, unless it's an emergency. Mostly, during the day light hours, my prayers are prayers of thanksgiving. I could find a lot of things to grumble about if I let myself and sometimes I do. But, mostly I see the good things that He provides us with. I also see the opportunities He has given us who have been so blessed to feed His sheep their daily bread as well. Throughout the day, I find multitudes of opportunities to give thanks to God.

 

The Lord provides. Most often He provides our needs through others in whom He abides and through whom He continues to serve. 

 

The Lord provides. Give thanks to the Lord for providing you with your daily bread. Give thanks to the Lord that He has provided you with opportunities to provide food to those who are hungry.

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

 

Rev 4: The Sanctus

Revelation 4 NIV

"Therefore with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify your glorious Name; evermore praising thee, and saying: "Holy, holy, holy; Lord, God Almighty; Heaven and earth are full of 

your glory: Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest."   (sanctus; sorry, I don't have a hymnal with me, so from memory a few versions intermingled)

Every Sunday we sing the Sanctus just prior to the words of institution being said at Holy Communion. It is a rare occasion that I am not reminded, as we sing these words, of the various areas of scriptures that it's derived from; particularly, chapter 4 of the book of Revelation. I imagine the presence of those twenty-four elders before the throne of God and those four awesome living creatures, with all of the heavenly host praising God Almighty. We join with them and all of the faithful followers here on earth as we lift our voices in praise and thanksgiving for all that He is.

When questioned why us Lutherans are so adamant about following a liturgy and why we can't be more spirit led, I usually let them know that we are definitely spirit led. All scripture is inspired by the Spirit of God and our liturgy is from scripture. The sanctus is a great example of this.

“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty . . .” (Rev 4:8)

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” (Isaiah 6:3)

“Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! . . . Hosanna in the highest !" (Mark 11:9-10)

I appreciate every opportunity to remind people that "faith comes by hearing the word of God" (Rom 10:17); therefore, Lutheran Worship seeks to provide the word throughout the service. It is heard in our liturgy; it is heard in our hymns; it is heard in our prayers; it is heard in the reading of the lessons; and, it is heard throughout the sermon. Faith comes by hearing. See you at Worship where your faith might be nurtured and grow through the hearing of the word of God. See you at Worship!

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. Don't forget to read Revelation 4 - the vision is an echo of visions of Ezekiel as well as Daniel.

1 Timothy 2 What's A Church To Do?

1 Timothy 2 NIV

"Gathering for the Sake of Others"
Prayer, Praise and Proclamation
for the glory of God
to benefit St. Vincent DePaul
 

What's a church to do? Paul's letter reminds us that "petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people - for kings and all in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." (vs 1-4)

God wants all people to be saved. God wants all people to come to the knowledge of the truth. As a church we come together to pray to God, in the name of Jesus, with that purpose in mind. As a community of saints we ought to gather together often to praise God for all that He has done for us and for the world. We come together so that we might hear and be fed by His Word proclaimed so that we might be better equipped to leave our places of worship and proclaim His Word of life to a hungry world.

We congregate in one place often, not for our own sakes; but, for the sake of others; out of love for God who has given himself for us and for all people.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Mark 14:12-26

Mark 14:11-26 NIV
Recently, we participated in a rarity at our congregation: a Memorial Service that included the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Not that Memorial Services are rare; but, receiving the Sacrament at one is. It was such a relief for me, to see so many whom I have not seen in a very long time, receive this gift from God. My hope is that they are worshipping God with another congregation. But, I am pretty sure most are not. For some reason, gathering together with the community of Saints, today, is an option.

For Jesus it was not. He traveled (on foot and a bit on the back of a donkey) to participate in the Passover in Jerusalem. As he broke the bread and poured the wine at His last supper, he prayed a prayer of thanksgiving. When they were finished with the meal, they sang a hymn and then went out to the Mount of Olives where he would be betrayed by his friend and handed over to be crucified.

Even as He faced His own death for the sake of His friends and followers, He gathered with them to worship and give thanks to God. May God grant us hearts that would desire to gather together as a community of Saints to remember, to celebrate, and to give thanks for our God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Obadiah 1 - What Is Done To Others; Will Be Done To You

We won't be lingering many days studying Obadiah. It is the shortest book of the Old Testament with only one chapter containing twenty-one verses.

It is a prophecy concerning the fall of Edom (Esau) for not having his brother Israel's (Jacob) back when they were under siege. It was not that they, themselves, attacked. But, they stood by and did nothing as their brothers were taken into captivity.

"On the day you stood aloof
    while strangers carried off his wealth
and foreigners entered his gates
    and cast lots for Jerusalem,
    you were like one of them." (Obadiah 11 NIV)

Our sins encompass more than what we have done; but, what we have left undone, as well. How much of what we have done and left undone have led to our brothers' harm? And.. if you care not for your brother than consider Obadiah's prophecy:

“The day of the Lord is near
    for all nations.
As you have done, it will be done to you;
    your deeds will return upon your own head." (Obadiah 15)

"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 7:12)

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. BTW - today is the National Day of Thanksgiving in the U.S.. Do you have a neighbor who is alone, today? A family that cannot afford dinner? What will we do for them so that they are not so all alone? What will we leave undone? 
 

Daniel 4 - Babylonian King Glorifies God; Will We?

"At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.

His dominion is an eternal dominion;
    his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
All the peoples of the earth
    are regarded as nothing.
He does as he pleases
    with the powers of heaven
    and the peoples of the earth.
No one can hold back his hand
    or say to him: “What have you done?”

At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble. (Dan 4:34-36 NIV)

King Nebuchadnezzar, mighty and powerful, had been brought to his knees and when he looked toward heaven, acknowledging that no one was before God, no one was more mighty or powerful than God, he was restored to his sanity.

Nebuchadnezzar had another one of those fantastic dreams which Daniel interpreted for him. Nebuchadnezzar, this powerful king, would be brought down to his knees. He would wander around in the wilderness, completely mad. It was as was predicted. He went through a horrible time of trial; but, in the end this great Babylonian king did not shake his fist at God. He thanked God. He praised Him!

What about us? Do we, who profess Jesus Christ, give thanks and praise to God for all things? Do we praise Him when we go through trying times? Think about it; King Nebuchadnezzar had gone totally mad; driven by God from the people to wander about in the wilderness with the wild animals, even eating the grass of the fields with the oxen.

When we are driven to wander aimlessly in the wilderness, what will we do? Will we turn quickly and give praise and thanksgiving to God?

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 100 - Thanks Giving!

A reason to shout for joy.... God is good. We were provided with an abundance of snow - enough to finally bank the house over the last few days.  Snow is good.  It waters the earth and in the frigid temperatures that sometimes happen up here in the U.P., it is an insulator.  So after Worship, yesterday morning, we got out and piled the snow up against the house.  This morning, I am walking on warm floors.  The cold winds off Lake Superior are no longer blowing beneath my home.

So this morning, as I reflect on yesterday, I am thankful for:
     the snow to keep us warm and the utility bill down.
     the exercise I received moving the snow (I don't get too much exercise in the winter - could - but -
         dont')
     for the opportunity to worship.
     for the fact that the annual report was finished and distributed to many for review.
     for all the children who helped serve at worship yesterday.
     for the fellowship at Zion afterward.
     for being able to cook supper for our son and granddaughter and visit with them for awhile
        yesterday.
     for waking up this morning.
     for being able to work serving the LORD this morning.

The list is actually pretty endless, but I think you probably get the idea.

The LORD is God.  Give thanks to Him for all of His gifts.  "For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations."  (Psalm 100:5 NIV)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 50: I Paid My Dues - Not!

"I paid my dues."  That was the response I received, years ago, from an elderly woman, when I asked her if I could pick her up for worship.  She had been a member of at least the church on earth for 80 plus years.  She no longer drove.  I thought that being able to worship our LORD, with her brothers and sisters in Christ, would be something she would want to do.  But, no.  Her response was I have done my duty.  "I paid my dues."

How anyone could attend Worship for that many years and not understand that there are no dues to pay is beyond me.  There are no dues!  Christ paid it all for us, with His blood.  We worship out of thanksgiving, not because if we do, we will magically get to rise again once we die.  We worship not out of fear of death, but out of love and thanksgiving to a God who has already saved us.  We give thanks because God paid our dues and we have no need to fear death, but look forward to eternal life in Christ. 

You cannot pay your own dues.  That is the bottom line.  God does not expect sacrifices to appease Him.  Our offerings are not payment.  They are or should be from a grateful heart. 

"Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High." (Psalm 50:14 NIV)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 40 - Praise and Thanksgiving

Today is the National Day of Thanksgiving.  We give thanks to our God who has lifted us out of the muck and mire, set our feet on a rock.  He has put a new song in our mouths, a hymn of praise, a hymn of thanksgiving. 

It is still early and I have already heard of God's wonderful works God has done for a couple of friends.  He is truly marvelous.  Later this morning, we will give thanks for God bringing together two people in Holy Matrimony as they are married on this Thanksgiving Day.  Neither of them will ever forget their anniversary and this Thanksgiving Day.  May they always give thanks that God has brought them together.  And, of course there will be the turkey and fixings to enjoy that my husband is fixing for our residents and family.  So much to give thanks for - each and every day.  Look around you. God is good.  He is very, very, very good!

May the LORD, help us to always proclaim the wonders that He has done.  They are too numerous to ever be able to share them all with others, so many that we should never lack for words of praise and thanksgiving for all that He has done.

May the peace of the LORD be with you this Thanksgiving day as well as every day.  Pr. J

 

Receive What God Has Promised You and Give Thanks!

Numbers 32

They are close!  They are really close.  It appears that Israel is about to cross over the river Jordan into the promised land.  Thanks be to God their journey through the wilderness is almost over!  Or is it?

The Gadites, Reubenites and half tribe of Manasseh decide they don't want to live in the land the Lord has promised them.  The land that they have just taken from the Mideanites is great for cattle and they want to settle there east of the Jordan.  They don't want to go to the land flowing with milk and honey.  This makes Moses just a wee bit nervous.  The last time God was going to lead them into the promised land, they had balked at entering the land out of fear of the people that resided there.  And what happened....?  They weren't allowed to enter.  God sent them wandering around in the wilderness for 40 years.    

But, the tribes who wanted the land east of the river convinced Moses that it was not out of fear that they didn't want to inherit any of the promised land, but simply that they liked the land and wanted to settle where they were.  They promise (and do fulfill their promise) that the men will go into the promised land to help take the land for the rest of Israel and then they will return to the land east of the river.  Moses agrees.

As we continue reading in the months ahead, I (we) need to remember to pay attention to what happens to these people who did not want and did not receive the land that God had promised them. 

And on to today's life's application of this story.  In the U.S. today is the national day of thanksgiving.  Our thanksgiving worship service was last night so that the community could gather as families in thankfulness for all that was given them today.  We gathered together as the children of God last night, to give thanks to the one who has given us so much.  But, as I suspect it was in most congregations around the country, attendance was certainly not anywhere near a Sunday morning worship service.  We heard the lesson of the 10 lepers (Luke 17:11-19) and only 1 (a Samaritan) returning to give thanks to the Lord for healing him and he was not just healed of his disease, but made whole.  This lesson on the eve of Thanksgiving always makes me wonder how many of God's children are truly thankful for what He has given us...  How many have actually been made whole...  How many have fully received the gifts that God wants them to receive... 

Sometimes, I joke about my heritage.  I am pretty much a "mutt," although mostly of Finnish descent.  Those first immigrants to the U.S. had it pretty rough.  They worked hard, mostly as farmers or miners, and neither the land or the climate was gentle to them.  They were a serious people, always doing battle with the elements to provide for their families.  Some of my family have been farmers (some miners).  I remember working in the barn with my grandmother when I was very young.  All the milking was done by hand.  There were no mechanical devices to clean the gutters, either.  She worked very hard and always gave thanks to God for all that He provided to her family.  But, in the next generation, with the advancements of modern farming methods, which should have made life easier, I noticed that life on many farms didn't seem to get easier.  With all this equipment to make the work easier, what I noticed was lacking was an attitude of gratitude for the gifts that God had given them.  It was as though many hadn't even received the gifts.  When I would return to the area to visit (and make hay), what I heard was grumbling about the hard work, grumbling about the equipment breaking down, grumbling that it was raining, grumbling that the sun was shining...  You get the picture.  And all of this grumbling was usually done around the kitchen table over coffee and nisu.  :)  I have to admit, I found all this grumbling to be a bit humorous.

Bottom line this morning is...  Have you received the promised inheritance that God has given to you?  Have you entered into that kingdom (it has come and is coming) or are you going to stay on the outside like the Gadites, Ruebenites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, while others claim your inheritance?  Will you rejoice and be glad for all that God had given you, so that you might turn and give Him thanks?

Rejoice and give thanks to God for all His promises on this day of thanks giving as well as every day!