Our Thanksgiving Prayer is to praise the Lord for all of you, wherever in the world you are.
I am thinking of the larger Church of God made up of local churches of Jews and Gentiles who together, as one people with different characteristics and colors, have been reached by the gospel and have accepted it for eternal life with Christ. For this I give thanks and pray that we all should “Pray without ceasing” (1Thessalonians 5:17) . . . until Thanksgiving Day, 2009. I offer three reasons to do this.
Reason #1:
Needed are daily times of remembrances, giving praise to almighty God for his gift of faith, repentance, reconciliation and restoration. Example: the time the Lord's "stiff-necked" and disobedient people, Israel, was returned from exile in Babylon to rebuild the Temple and the walls of Zion.
I am thinking of the larger Church of God made up of local churches of Jews and Gentiles who together, as one people with different characteristics and colors, have been reached by the gospel and have accepted it for eternal life with Christ. For this I give thanks and pray that we all should “Pray without ceasing” (1Thessalonians 5:17) . . . until Thanksgiving Day, 2009. I offer three reasons to do this.
Reason #1:
Needed are daily times of remembrances, giving praise to almighty God for his gift of faith, repentance, reconciliation and restoration. Example: the time the Lord's "stiff-necked" and disobedient people, Israel, was returned from exile in Babylon to rebuild the Temple and the walls of Zion.
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The Jews could scarcely believe their ears on hearing that their prayers were answered by Yeshuah's infinite mercy to them in allowing a remnant to return to rebuild the Temple. It was in sorrow they sat on the banks of Babylonian rivers and wept when they remembered Zion and cried out for deliverance (Psalm 137:1).
"And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid" (Ezra 3:11). In like manner, beginning with President George Washington, we have a time set aside for remembrance of God delivering our colonies from tyranny and to enable the completion of our foundation for governing a free people.
Reason #2:
Needed also is to pause and reflect that the kingdom of God is in Spirit, not in material things as impressive buildings and trappings, and that believers are servants and minister to God more than to be ministered to.
(Luke 17:11-13) "And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. (12) And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: (13) And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”
Leprosy in the Bible is a picture of incurable sin that separates those who have it from others who are "cleansed" but not healed. By that I mean that mankind lives in a perpetual state of leprous sin inherited when sin was introduced into the world (Romans 3:10; 5:12). There is no cure for leprosy, only cleansing declaration by Priest under careful observation.
Only God can heal, as in the case of Miriam. "And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee." (Numbers 12:13) And only God's blood can atone for our sin state.
Even the most unrighteous person who is tired and weary from the binding cords of their sinful condition, and whose heart is prepared to seek the Lord can be healed. Yeshua said, "Call unto me . . . ", Jesus said, "Come unto me . . .".
Standing afar off, the ten lepers in Samaria knew of the works that would prove Messiah's advent as foretold by the prophets. They realized that the Lord was not obligated to cleanse them, yet they called out for mercy . . . and the Lord has plenty of mercy.
(Luke 17:14-16) "And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. (15) And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, (16) "And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
Thanksgiving is a time believers should offer praise to the Lord that we have been healed from the curse of our inherited sin condition, and that we have been restored to citizenship in heavenly places. The joy, the peace and the miracle should grab our hearts as we reflect on our former state as aliens from the kingdom of God. But God, in His own body, brought about reconciliation . . . think of that! But we should give thanks for that every day.
(Luke 17-19) “And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? (18) There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. (19) And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
Interesting to me is how Jesus brings deep conviction in the hearts of men simply by asking questions. But with this stranger (Samaritan with Gentile status), who was so overcome with the evidence of his healing, that Jesus opened the eyes of his heart to realize that he was talking to the promised Messiah. He is worthy to be praised.
I give thanks for the word of God which is inexhaustible in truth and daily – no, hourly – no, minute by minute guidance by the Holy Spirit speaking to my heart. Do you experience conviction when you come upon a question in the Bible?
In addition, have you noticed the number "ten" in regard to the lepers? Notably, it is the number attached to Gentile significance. They were "unclean" residents in Israel, in the North of Palestine, where the ten tribes, after separating from Judah in the south, settled down while settling for heretical practices, so as to be almost on the level of Gentiles. They were the first to be exiled into many places by the Syrians, and Judah was later exiled to Babylon.
Also it is interesting that the ratio could apply to believers in general. Paul said "For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:" (Romans 9:6) It is possible that only one in ten church members are true heart believers (My speculation only).
"And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid" (Ezra 3:11). In like manner, beginning with President George Washington, we have a time set aside for remembrance of God delivering our colonies from tyranny and to enable the completion of our foundation for governing a free people.
Reason #2:
Needed also is to pause and reflect that the kingdom of God is in Spirit, not in material things as impressive buildings and trappings, and that believers are servants and minister to God more than to be ministered to.
(Luke 17:11-13) "And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. (12) And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: (13) And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”
Leprosy in the Bible is a picture of incurable sin that separates those who have it from others who are "cleansed" but not healed. By that I mean that mankind lives in a perpetual state of leprous sin inherited when sin was introduced into the world (Romans 3:10; 5:12). There is no cure for leprosy, only cleansing declaration by Priest under careful observation.
Only God can heal, as in the case of Miriam. "And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee." (Numbers 12:13) And only God's blood can atone for our sin state.
Even the most unrighteous person who is tired and weary from the binding cords of their sinful condition, and whose heart is prepared to seek the Lord can be healed. Yeshua said, "Call unto me . . . ", Jesus said, "Come unto me . . .".
Standing afar off, the ten lepers in Samaria knew of the works that would prove Messiah's advent as foretold by the prophets. They realized that the Lord was not obligated to cleanse them, yet they called out for mercy . . . and the Lord has plenty of mercy.
(Luke 17:14-16) "And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. (15) And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, (16) "And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
Thanksgiving is a time believers should offer praise to the Lord that we have been healed from the curse of our inherited sin condition, and that we have been restored to citizenship in heavenly places. The joy, the peace and the miracle should grab our hearts as we reflect on our former state as aliens from the kingdom of God. But God, in His own body, brought about reconciliation . . . think of that! But we should give thanks for that every day.
(Luke 17-19) “And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? (18) There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. (19) And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
Interesting to me is how Jesus brings deep conviction in the hearts of men simply by asking questions. But with this stranger (Samaritan with Gentile status), who was so overcome with the evidence of his healing, that Jesus opened the eyes of his heart to realize that he was talking to the promised Messiah. He is worthy to be praised.
I give thanks for the word of God which is inexhaustible in truth and daily – no, hourly – no, minute by minute guidance by the Holy Spirit speaking to my heart. Do you experience conviction when you come upon a question in the Bible?
In addition, have you noticed the number "ten" in regard to the lepers? Notably, it is the number attached to Gentile significance. They were "unclean" residents in Israel, in the North of Palestine, where the ten tribes, after separating from Judah in the south, settled down while settling for heretical practices, so as to be almost on the level of Gentiles. They were the first to be exiled into many places by the Syrians, and Judah was later exiled to Babylon.
Also it is interesting that the ratio could apply to believers in general. Paul said "For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:" (Romans 9:6) It is possible that only one in ten church members are true heart believers (My speculation only).
One leper whose faith made him whole, became an example of a true believer in Christ. Sad to say that there are not more, but Jesus discerned the hearts of the nine who went back to their worship and obviously believers with a head knowledge, not a change of heart.
Reason #3:
Finally, needed is for believers to make Jesus a companion, even at the dinner table. Set your affections on things above, things that play on our heart strings, not things that cause salivary glands to activate upon seeing a dead bird. How, then, is our heart attitude toward Jesus as we think of things for which to be thankful?
But what will you do with Jesus? Is he your "chief Shepherd" or are you "the chief turkey" in slacking off like the nine that returned without giving due praise (Please excuse the mixed metaphors)? Will you join Helen and me this Thanksgiving as “we gather together to ask the Lord's blessing” in remembering a few choice admonitions from the Apostle Paul to the churches.
Reason #3:
Finally, needed is for believers to make Jesus a companion, even at the dinner table. Set your affections on things above, things that play on our heart strings, not things that cause salivary glands to activate upon seeing a dead bird. How, then, is our heart attitude toward Jesus as we think of things for which to be thankful?
But what will you do with Jesus? Is he your "chief Shepherd" or are you "the chief turkey" in slacking off like the nine that returned without giving due praise (Please excuse the mixed metaphors)? Will you join Helen and me this Thanksgiving as “we gather together to ask the Lord's blessing” in remembering a few choice admonitions from the Apostle Paul to the churches.
- Remember all creation and give praise to Jesus, the creator, "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;" (Ephesians 5:20)
- Remember our inheritance in heaven with Jesus who said, "The Father and I are one." "Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:" (Colossians 1:12)
- Remember as grateful people that He is ever present with us. "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." (Colossians 3:17)
- Remember the name of Jesus, and that sacrifice in prayer, as in giving, is a far better remembrance, for in Hebrews, He is regarded as "Better." "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name." (Hebrews 13:15)
- Remember also, what we were like before and how that by His great love and sacrifice we have escaped eternal death and have been given eternal life.
"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:" (Ephesians 2:4)
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