By Pastor Jack W. Hayford
The term "HARVEST" appears frequently in Scripture, as the people of the Bible lived in an agricultural society. At Thanksgiving, the imagery of harvest frames our own nation's history, inspiring us with things reflective of Early America.
Yet Thanksgiving is about more than that.
It is a call for us to celebrate not only God's provision and restoration, but also His promise and presence--even amid delays, restricting circumstances, or tears.
Thanksgiving also calls us to constancy, for the journey to harvest will usually be harder than we think, longer than we expect, and more rewarding than we can ever imagine.
Scripture says, "Though weeping may endure for a night, joy comes in the morning" (Ps. 30:5).
For many of us, it's been a demanding year.
But as you and I come to Thanksgiving, the joy of celebration makes everything else incidental. When we finally see the harvest, it no longer matters how tough things were, how much time they took, or how heavy the pressures were. What's important is that we have answered the call to faith.
There is joy in that call. The Bible likens this joy after travail to a woman who has delivered a child. After the difficult months of pregnancy and the pain of labor, the baby is born, and what it took for that to happen doesn't matter anymore. There is only the songs of rejoicing.
These songs are a celebration of God's purpose through and beyond trial. It reminds us that triumph ultimately outlasts trial. And the triumph is en route, folks.
Even if we can't see what God is doing, there's evidence in our hearts that He will be faithful. This song is an invitation to constancy of focus--to go forth with sacks of seed, not just one.
So today, ask yourself: What are you sowing?
Even with the wind in my face, the sand in my eyes, the weeping from circumstance or adversity, we must keep sowing the promise of God. Not as one who is mindless or superstitious, but as one who knows that the God who makes a promise to His people never forgets it.
God has done more things of love and goodness in our lives than any of us can imagine. When you face the thing that hasn't happened yet, keep sowing.
With a heart of Thanksgiving, find joy in the harvest to come.
Scripture Of The Day: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away." - Matthew 24:35
Pastor Jack W. Hayford is president of The Foursquare Church, and founder and chancellor of The King’s College and Seminary. As the founding pastor of The Church on the Way in Van Nuys, California, Pastor Hayford has authored dozens of books and 600 hymns, including the classic “Majesty.” For more on Pastor Hayford, visit http://www.jackhayford.com.…
Showing posts with label thanksgiving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label thanksgiving. Show all posts
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Friday, November 26, 2010
Doing the Do’s
By Dr. Creflo A. Dollar
Although the Bible makes it clear that God is a loving and forgiving God, many Christians struggle with feelings of condemnation regarding past wrongdoings. I see it all the time. These Believers have a “glow”—an unparalleled love and zeal for God—when they first become born again. However, the minute they sin, they want to give up, cave in and quit. They often turn away from the faith because their minds have been seared with a hot iron (1 Timothy 4:1-2).
From the Greek, this phrase means “those whose souls are branded with the marks of sin” and “[those] who carry…with them the perpetual consciousness of sin.” Their sins are always kept at the forefront of their minds, and they feel unworthy of God’s love and forgiveness. As a result, they strive after perfection by trying to follow every commandment to the letter. They so overwhelm themselves with the “don’ts” that they feel as if holy living is impossible. By following the letter of the law, they miss the spirit in which it was given.
God created specific guidelines for us to follow so that we could experience and enjoy abundant life. He wants us to live free from the negative consequences of sin, sickness, poverty and bondage. He never designed His commandments for you to feel encumbered. Neither were they designed to make you feel worse than you already do when you miss the mark. You must keep in mind that the letter of the law kills, but the spirit of the law gives life (2 Corinthians 3:6).
Righteousness—right-standing with God—is a free gift. When you became born again, you were declared righteous by God (2 Corinthians 5:21). At that time, you were also sanctified (set apart for use by God) and set free from Satan’s dominion (1 Corinthians 1:30; Romans 8:1-2). In light of this, how do you get rid of sin-consciousness? You do so by focusing your attention on “doing the ‘do's.” By concentrating on what the Bible says to do, such as praying, giving thanks and praising God daily, you’ll find that you just don’t have time to worry about the “don’ts.”
So what are you waiting for? Get busy doing the “dos” and reignite your zeal for God!
Scripture Of The Day: "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving." - Colossians 4:2 (ESV)
Dr. Creflo A. Dollar is the senior pastor of World Changers Church International, located in College Park, Georgia. He is committed to changing the world one person at a time, and his award-winning “Changing Your World” television broadcast reaches nearly one billion homes worldwide. Visit http://www.CrefloDollarMinistries.org…
Although the Bible makes it clear that God is a loving and forgiving God, many Christians struggle with feelings of condemnation regarding past wrongdoings. I see it all the time. These Believers have a “glow”—an unparalleled love and zeal for God—when they first become born again. However, the minute they sin, they want to give up, cave in and quit. They often turn away from the faith because their minds have been seared with a hot iron (1 Timothy 4:1-2).
From the Greek, this phrase means “those whose souls are branded with the marks of sin” and “[those] who carry…with them the perpetual consciousness of sin.” Their sins are always kept at the forefront of their minds, and they feel unworthy of God’s love and forgiveness. As a result, they strive after perfection by trying to follow every commandment to the letter. They so overwhelm themselves with the “don’ts” that they feel as if holy living is impossible. By following the letter of the law, they miss the spirit in which it was given.
God created specific guidelines for us to follow so that we could experience and enjoy abundant life. He wants us to live free from the negative consequences of sin, sickness, poverty and bondage. He never designed His commandments for you to feel encumbered. Neither were they designed to make you feel worse than you already do when you miss the mark. You must keep in mind that the letter of the law kills, but the spirit of the law gives life (2 Corinthians 3:6).
Righteousness—right-standing with God—is a free gift. When you became born again, you were declared righteous by God (2 Corinthians 5:21). At that time, you were also sanctified (set apart for use by God) and set free from Satan’s dominion (1 Corinthians 1:30; Romans 8:1-2). In light of this, how do you get rid of sin-consciousness? You do so by focusing your attention on “doing the ‘do's.” By concentrating on what the Bible says to do, such as praying, giving thanks and praising God daily, you’ll find that you just don’t have time to worry about the “don’ts.”
So what are you waiting for? Get busy doing the “dos” and reignite your zeal for God!
Scripture Of The Day: "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving." - Colossians 4:2 (ESV)
Dr. Creflo A. Dollar is the senior pastor of World Changers Church International, located in College Park, Georgia. He is committed to changing the world one person at a time, and his award-winning “Changing Your World” television broadcast reaches nearly one billion homes worldwide. Visit http://www.CrefloDollarMinistries.org…
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Reasons To Give Thanks
By Dr. Charles F. Stanley
What motivates us to express gratitude to God?
We often remember to thank Him when something positive happens in our life. But 1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us to give thanks in all things, which includes difficult times as well as happier circumstances. Of course, thanking God for something painful may seem illogical—but it is not. There are a number of reasons why, no matter what we are going through, it truly is “good to give thanks to the Lord” (Psalm 92:1 niv).
The first reason is stated in Psalm 107:1, which tells us to “give thanks to the Lord, for He is good (emphasis added).” Even though life may be difficult, our hope and joy remain because we serve the eternal, omniscient, omnipotent God of love.
Second, our gratitude magnifies the Lord. He is glorified when we acknowledge His goodness and thank Him for His continual blessings. God is also pleased when, even in difficult times, we obediently thank Him.
Third, thankfulness reinforces our faith. When we remember how God has met our needs, protected us, and answered cries for help, our trust in Him is strengthened.
Recalling His faithfulness in the past equips us to face the future. In addition, our spirit rejoices when we dwell on who the Lord is, what He has done, and what He will do.
It’s easy to be grateful when we receive something we have desired for a long time. But God wants us to express thanksgiving in everything. Meditate on His goodness, faithfulness, sovereignty, and sure promises—and offer Him your thanks.
Scripture Of The Day: "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." - Colossians 3:17
Dr. Charles F. Stanley, senior pastor of the First Baptist Church of Atlanta and founder of In Touch Ministries, is a New York Times best-selling author who has written more than 35 books. “In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley” can be heard around the world via radio and television broadcasts, the handheld In Touch Messenger and the ministries…
What motivates us to express gratitude to God?
We often remember to thank Him when something positive happens in our life. But 1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us to give thanks in all things, which includes difficult times as well as happier circumstances. Of course, thanking God for something painful may seem illogical—but it is not. There are a number of reasons why, no matter what we are going through, it truly is “good to give thanks to the Lord” (Psalm 92:1 niv).
The first reason is stated in Psalm 107:1, which tells us to “give thanks to the Lord, for He is good (emphasis added).” Even though life may be difficult, our hope and joy remain because we serve the eternal, omniscient, omnipotent God of love.
Second, our gratitude magnifies the Lord. He is glorified when we acknowledge His goodness and thank Him for His continual blessings. God is also pleased when, even in difficult times, we obediently thank Him.
Third, thankfulness reinforces our faith. When we remember how God has met our needs, protected us, and answered cries for help, our trust in Him is strengthened.
Recalling His faithfulness in the past equips us to face the future. In addition, our spirit rejoices when we dwell on who the Lord is, what He has done, and what He will do.
It’s easy to be grateful when we receive something we have desired for a long time. But God wants us to express thanksgiving in everything. Meditate on His goodness, faithfulness, sovereignty, and sure promises—and offer Him your thanks.
Scripture Of The Day: "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." - Colossians 3:17
Dr. Charles F. Stanley, senior pastor of the First Baptist Church of Atlanta and founder of In Touch Ministries, is a New York Times best-selling author who has written more than 35 books. “In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley” can be heard around the world via radio and television broadcasts, the handheld In Touch Messenger and the ministries…
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Remembering to Say Thanks
By Greg Laurie
In the Old Testament, we find an interesting story of how King Jehoshaphat took an uncommon approach when his enemies waged war against him. Instead of sending in his army first, he sent the choir and musicians.
Imagine the scene: "All right, guys, here's the plan today. An army is out there, armed to the teeth. So we are sending in the choir and the musicians." If I had been a choir member or musician, I might have wondered whether the king liked our music.
But God had directed Jehoshaphat in this unusual battle tactic. We read that Jehoshaphat appointed people to sing to the Lord, praise the beauty of holiness, and go out in front of the army saying, "Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever" (2 Chronicles 20:21).
So that is exactly what they did. The Bible tells us that when they began to sing and praise, God sent an ambush against the enemy, and they were destroyed. God's people were able to go into this situation giving thanks, because He was in control.
In approaching God to ask for new blessings, we should never forget to thank Him for the blessings He has already given.
Have you recently come to God for help and He came through for you? Did you come back to say "thank you"?
If we would stop and think how many of the prayers we have offered to God have been answered and how seldom we come back to God to thank Him, it just might amaze us. We should be just as deliberate in giving thanks to God as we are in asking for His help.
Scripture Of The Day: "Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!" - Psalm 107:8
Greg Laurie serves as the Senior Pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California. For more about Greg, log onto http://harvest.org
In the Old Testament, we find an interesting story of how King Jehoshaphat took an uncommon approach when his enemies waged war against him. Instead of sending in his army first, he sent the choir and musicians.
Imagine the scene: "All right, guys, here's the plan today. An army is out there, armed to the teeth. So we are sending in the choir and the musicians." If I had been a choir member or musician, I might have wondered whether the king liked our music.
But God had directed Jehoshaphat in this unusual battle tactic. We read that Jehoshaphat appointed people to sing to the Lord, praise the beauty of holiness, and go out in front of the army saying, "Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever" (2 Chronicles 20:21).
So that is exactly what they did. The Bible tells us that when they began to sing and praise, God sent an ambush against the enemy, and they were destroyed. God's people were able to go into this situation giving thanks, because He was in control.
In approaching God to ask for new blessings, we should never forget to thank Him for the blessings He has already given.
Have you recently come to God for help and He came through for you? Did you come back to say "thank you"?
If we would stop and think how many of the prayers we have offered to God have been answered and how seldom we come back to God to thank Him, it just might amaze us. We should be just as deliberate in giving thanks to God as we are in asking for His help.
Scripture Of The Day: "Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!" - Psalm 107:8
Greg Laurie serves as the Senior Pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California. For more about Greg, log onto http://harvest.org
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