Dear Church Family:
Before the last month of the year, we are
now in November and looking forward to
Thanksgiving. Gratitude is appropriate
and it is needed for us to counter the
depression that some of us suffer from
this time of year. So, we’re starting a
three-part sermon series on gratefulness,
because to be thankful is that important:
► Part 1: Grateful for the past (“The Faith of Those
Before Us”) today Sabbath November 5.
► Part 2: Grateful for the future (“The Second Coming”
Fundamental Belief #25) on Sabbath November 12; and
► Part 3: Grateful for the present (“Those Around Us”)
on Sabbath November 19.
From the Psalms in the Old Testament,
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
1 Chronicles 16:34, Psalm 107: 1; 136: 1 and 118: 1
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving Psalms 95: 2
Enter his gates with thanksgiving! Give thanks to him!
From Psalm 100: 4
To Paul’s epistles in the New Testament,
Always give thanks to God the Father for everything”
From Ephesians 5: 20
“Give thanks in all circumstances” 1 Thessalonians 5: 18
“Be thankful, with thankfulness in your hearts to God, giving
thanks to God the Father through him.” From Colossians 3:15-
17 “In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let
your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4: 6
Be filled with the Spirit, giving thanks always and for everything
to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
From Ephesians 5: 18-20
The Bible is filled with exhortations to be thankful.
It’s that important!
A few months ago, the Wisconsin Pastors’ Book Club
reviewed a little book whose subtitle was: “How Gratitude
Can Transform Your Life.” It can. One of the book’s
suggestions was to establish a baseline of gratitude practices
that I could do every day for several months. The baseline
that I chose was to set for myself a Google calendar
reminder to say “I am blessed” five times per day. This
simple and easy practice did transform my life. And,
It can transform your life too…
Set this month of November as a whole month to practice
gratitude. Forget about the Dems, the Republicans, Russia,
China, the Catholics, co-workers, the government, crime,
pettiness and all the sadness and negativity in the world.
Instead, choose to read the Good Book, come to Church,
and daily focus on the goodness and rich promises that you
have in God. It will change your life.
With love,
Pastor Sam
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