What's it Worth to You?

 

It is likely you freely walked into this church today. You most likely would freely express your Christian faith if you were asked.   You most likely expect some sort of an appeal for non-believers to place their faith in Christ during the service. In India last week Hindu militants beat pastors and church members, accusing them of engaging in conversion activities and forced them to deny their faith. It is easy to take liberty for granted, when you have never had it taken from you. ~Dick Cheney 4000 men died in the American Revolutionary War which was fought to ensure our freedom to come together and worship. The last veteran from that war died April 5, 1869. We have enjoyed so much freedom for so long that we are perhaps in danger of forgetting how much blood it cost to establish the Bill of Rights. ~Felix Frankfurter There have been attacks on Christians in northern Iraq for years by Wahabi militants. However, the Sabeans, a Christian group, report things are now better. They have found more freedom to practice Christianity with the American presence in the country. Freedom is nothing else but a chance to be better. ~Albert Camus How valuable is our freedom to worship!  Thank a veteran today

 

And why? Because  God is great-well worth praising! No god or goddess comes close in honor.  I Chronicles 16:25

 

Enter In

 

Please type your password to enter.  What is the most popular password? On average, the human brain can hold only five to nine "random bits of information" in short-term memory. Therefore, it's no surprise that the most common password used by those wishing to enter in is simply the word, “password.”  As we enter into the month of November a lot of human brains in this country, are randomly turning to thoughts of the Thanksgiving holiday.  Most Christian brains automatically recall familiar verses hidden in our hearts, such as “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise.”  Therefore, it should be a no-brainer for the first words that come out of our mouths as we enter into the Thanksgiving season to be simply, “thank-you Jesus.”  We should be most thankful for the privilege we have to place our faith in Jesus Christ and enter in.  Because of Christ the veil was torn. We can enter into the Holy presence of God without hesitation. Jesus cleared the way for us by His blood.  As we enter into this season of thankfulness, before we randomly start planning bits and pieces of holiday celebrations, we should simply thank Jesus for the access He provided to each of us.  He gave His life that we may enter into His joy and life everlasting. Thank-you Jesus!

 

Enter with the password: "Thank-you!"  Make yourselves at home, talking praise. Thank Him. Worship Him. Psalm 100:4

 

 

In All Things Give Thanks

 

Today I offer thanks to God for each thought He has allowed me to think, and each word He has allowed me to write. But today I share other’s thoughts and words about their thankfulness. “This day and your life ... are God's gift to you, so give thanks and be joyful always!”  “It isn't what you have in your pocket that makes you thankful, but what you have in your heart.” “There's always something to be thankful for. If you can't pay your bills, you can be thankful you're not one of your creditors.”   “When I'm in the bathroom looking at my toilet paper, I'm like 'Wow, toilet paper!' I don't know if we appreciate how much we have.  So the things I do have, I appreciate - like toilet paper.”   “Today God I thank you for my little brother, but what I really prayed for was a puppy.” “There's one thing for which you should be abundantly thankful -- only you and God have all the facts about yourself.”

"Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses" "Difficulties are opportunities to better things; they are stepping stones to a greater experience. "When our perils are past, shall our gratitude sleep? " Remember to give God thanks always.

 

In everything give thanks: For this is the will of Christ Jesus concerning you. I Thessolonians 5:18

 

 

Countdown

 

The last of the turkey has been tossed out.  Yes, Thanksgiving is gone and Christmas is on its way.  The shoppers have left the starting line to see who can shop for the most the quickest.  The first gifts have been purchased and possibly even wrapped. And oh, by the way, this countdown just happens to lead up to the day which celebrates the birth of the Lord of lords and King of kings, our Savior, Jesus Christ.  The story will be told by many of Mary and Joseph taking a journey to pay their taxes and finding no place to stay.  We will hear of a baby being born in a cattle stall, lovingly wrapped in swaddling clothes.   We will hear of shepherds following a shining star to see for themselves what angels told them would come to be. This year as we journey to festive gatherings trimmed with brightly lit trees, we need to remember.  This year as we follow the crowds to buy and wrap gifts, we need to remember. This year as we hear the familiar story, may we hear it as if we are hearing it for the very first time.  This season is about a miracle that changed mankind for all eternity, a celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  As the familiar story is told again this Christmas, may many counting down see the Savior very clearly for themselves this year.

I have heard of thee by the hearing of my ear, but now my eye seeth thee. Job 42:5