From the Pulpit
Ancient Words: Thanksgiving in Afflictions
2 Corinthians 4:1-18 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of
Christ, who is the image of God. For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Give thanks this November for God’s rich blessings. Give thanks when you are down and nothing seems to be going right. Give thanks when unfairness creeps into your thought process. Give thanks when sickness and even when disability comes. Give thanks in all and every circumstance. Wow, this is a hard one…but thanks be to God that we do have this treasure in our jar of clay, we do have this all-surpassing power to give thanks in the good times and in the bad times, in times of prosperity and in times of affliction: Philippians 4:4-8 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Scott and Jane Johnson minister with East Faulkner Church of Christ and BRG Bible. Bible questions can be sent to brgbible@gmail.com.
Let’s Get Excited
“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.”
Psalms 100:1-5 ESV
As I write this I am still in Florida on Disaster Services. As we continue to serve and help in the rebuilding process, this scripture keeps coming to mind.
This experience has once again been a reminder of how faithful God is. With gratefulness and thanksgiving in my heart, I have decided that “Thanksliving” is how I must live my life.
I am a big sports fanatic! I can yell, jump and simply go crazy! It’s funny, actually sad to me when I stop and think of how we get so excited over sporting events and concerts, yet the outcome will not directly have an impact on us!
Let’s start getting excited about what God is doing in our lives and how He provides for us because that does have an impact on us!
“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody! With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord!”
Psalms 98:4-6 ESV
I pray that we all learn to count and claim our blessings everyday!
Please continue to pray for these precious people here in Florida and for all of those who are volunteering.
Miss and love you El Dorado. Captain Jason Perdieu is corps officer of the Salvation Army of El Dorado.