The Pastor’s Blog
Give Thanks!
“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:18
In recent weeks I experienced an exhaustive time of what seemed to be nonstop activity. It was a time of late to bed and early to rise, with each day filled with more activity than there were hours in the day to get it all done. Most all of the activity was good and were things I was looking forward to, but the pace left me rather low on both physical and emotional energy. As I was praying about how I was feeling the Spirit put upon my heart the song “Give Thanks” by Henry Smith.
“Give thanks with a grateful heart,
Give thanks to the Holy One,
Give thanks because He’s given
Jesus Christ, His Son.
And now let the weak say, ‘I am strong!’
Let the poor say, ‘I am rich because of what the Lord Has done for us.’
Give thanks. Give thanks.” CCLI #2303
For the rest of the day I made that song my prayer and as I prayed back to the Lord the song that He had put on my heart, He filled me with a renewed sense of His grace and peace; He gave me energy and strength; and He met my needs in ways that I might not have even thought to ask.
During the month of November I encourage you to take time to remember, and even write down, all of the reasons you have to give the Lord thanks. And then take time each day to give Him thanks for who He is in creation, for who He is in your life and for all that He has done for you.
Giving thanks to the Lord; it’s such a simple thing to do but it brings us in line with God’s will and it sets His power loose in our lives like nothing else can.
With Thanksgiving,
Mark
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October 24-28
Home Study
Monday – Read Matthew 18:19-20
Why is there more power when we come together with other believers
in Jesus’ name?
What does it mean to come together in Jesus’ name?
When we gather in Jesus’ name, whose will should we seek?
How does this passage challenge you?
Tuesday – Read Hebrews 10:19-25
Why are we able to draw near to God?
What hope can we hold on to in all circumstances?
Why should we not neglect meeting together?
What should we do when we are together?
How does this passage challenge you? What will you do?
Wednesday – Read Acts 2:42-47
What did the believers devote themselves to doing when they met?
What was the result?
Why do you think God was able to work so powerfully through them?
What is Jesus saying to you? How will you respond?
Thursday – Read Acts 12:1-19
Why were the believers meeting together?
How did God work in response to their prayers?
Why did they almost miss the answer?
What does this passage encourage you to do?
Friday – Read Philippians 1:3-11
How did Paul feel about the believers in Philippi?
What was he confident that Jesus would do in their lives?
What did he pray for God to do in their lives?
Take a moment to pray these same things for yourself, your family and our church family.
Saturday – Read I Thessalonians 4:1-12
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October 17-21
Monday – Read John 1:1-5
What do these verses tell us about Jesus “the Word?”
Why does the world not understand this?
What can you do to better help people to see Jesus for who He is?
Tuesday – Read II Timothy 3:10-17
What warning does Paul give us here?
How can we overcome this opposition?
Where does the power of God’s word come from?
When applied to our lives what does God’s word do for us?
What will you do to be more fully filled with God’s word?
Wednesday – Read I Corinthians 2:6-16
By what does God reveal His wisdom to men?
Why is this the only way to truly know God’s mind?
How important then is it for us to be filled with God’s word and
Spirit?
What is god saying to you? How will you respond?
Thursday – Read Hebrews 4:12-13
What encouragement do these verses give you?
In what way might they make you uncomfortable?
How does God’s word lead us to live lives that are pleasing to Him?
How do these verses challenge you? What will you do?
Friday – Read Psalm 119:18, 97 and 105
As you read God’s word, do you ask God to reveal to you what He
wants you to see?
Why is God willing to do this?
How does meditating on God’s word make us wise?
How is God’s word a light for your path?
What is God saying to you? How will you respond?
Saturday – Read I Thessalonians 2:17-3:13
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Operation Christmas Child
Sunday, October 9, 2011, at 6 p.m. Join us at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2000 Oakwood Drive, Medford, for an opportunity to hear the amazing story of Perry Cartera, a small woman who has a big heart for children’s ministry!
Perry Cartera works full time at the Philippines Bible Society, but also does work building teams and training for the Box-to-Evangelist Operation Christmas Child program in Philippines and Indonesia. Perry began her journey with OCC as the discipleship coordinator for the National Leadership Team in Philippines and currently serves as an OCC International Field Representative, which allows her to spread her passion and experience to other countries. Perry is married to Mel Cartera. He pastors a church and works part-time as translator at the Philippine Bible Society. God did not give Mel and Perry any biological children. But through OCC they have thousands of children, not only in their own church where Mel implemented The Greatest Journey (TGJ) program, but also throughout the country. God has a prupose –we are His servants. All praises and glory to God alone! Romans 10:14-15
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