What is Thanksgiving?
What is Thanksgiving, is it a four-day weekend, is it a day to feast on turkey and ham, or is it the day before what retailers call black Friday? What is thanksgiving, (first,second,third) it’s a:
1. Day to Remember God’s Goodness.
Thanksgiving is a day to remember God’s goodness in every area of your life, it’s a day to remember He’s never failed, He’s never faltered, or He’s never forsaken you. Christ says in Matthew 10:29-31, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”
2. Day to Remember God’s Grace.
Thanksgiving is not only a day to remember God’s goodness, it’s a day to remember God’s grace, He’s helped you through every storm, He’s helped you through every sorrow, and He’s helped you through every adverse situation in life. Stop listening to Satan whose always telling you, you’ll never make it, remember Genesis 18:4, “Is there anything too hard for the Lord?”, “O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.” (Psalm 136:2)
3. Day to Remember God’s Guidance.
Thanksgiving is not only a day to remember God’s grace and goodness, it’s a day to remember God’s guidance in every difficulty, disappointment, and decision you’ve made in life. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thine ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
“O give thanks unto the Lord.” (Psalm 136:1)
What’s In A Name?
‘…..What’s in a Name? That which we call a rose would smell as sweet by any other name……’ Juliet says to Romeo in explaining that she doesn’t love the name ‘Montague’ but the person whose name happens to be ‘Montague’.
The name of the Lighthouse worship team has been chosen. Out of the hundreds of names submitted, this one clearly rose to the top. Drum roll please………The official name of the Lighthouse worship team from henceforth and forevermore…..to be placed on all cds…..to be seen on all digitial downloads….to be printed on all promotional material of any sort, etc., etc., etc. ad infinitum, ad nauseum, is……………………..Lighthouse Rising.
Congratulations to Holly Borchardt for coming up with the name. She gets a free cd, free coffee from Jake, and perhaps most importantly, goes down in Lighthouse lore as the one who came up with the name.
‘…A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches….’ (Proverbs 22:1) Of course, in this verse, a name means character, reputation and the substance of who a person is. What’s in a name from a biblical perspective? Everything. And of course there is a name that is above all names!
In Jesus name,
greg
Right thinking/Wrong answer
Pastor Greg spoke this past Sunday about persecution. It is staggering to know that many of our brothers and sisters around the world are suffering due to their faith. Some of their suffering is extreme and many have been killed. We don’t see this kind of extreme persecution in our country today for the most part but there is a more subtle persecution going on.
Carrie Prejean (Miss California) while running for Miss America was asked a question about guy marriage. She was asked if she would support state rights to legalize and recognize guy marriage, her response was that she believes that marriage was to be between a man and a women. Since then she has been ridiculed and mocked and the mainstream media seems to be on a mission to destroy her character. Is this persecution? Isn’t this America where we are free to answer a question based upon our own views even if they are biblically based?
I believe we are just seeing the tip of the iceberg here and we can expect more of this kind of thing as times goes on. What do you think?
2 Tim 3:12-14 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it.
Thoughts on Righteousness
In Jesus’ most famous sermon (the Sermon on the Mount), He said, “For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” These words would have been shocking to a first century audience. After all, the scribes and Pharisees were perceived as being ultra righteous. Outwardly they put on quite a show regarding faithfulness to the Law of God. To be more righteous than these folks must have seemed nearly impossible.
But the stakes are high! Jesus says that if we are not more righteous than the Pharisees and scribes we will “never enter the kingdom of heaven.” So, how righteous were they really? Not righteous at all! Their attempt at righteousness was merely an outward show. Furthermore, Scripture declares, “There is none righteous. No, not one” (Romans 3:10). In fact, according to Isaiah 64:6, “all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.”
This creates quite a conundrum. If the closest thing we can come to righteousness is like a polluted garment to God. And since there is really no one righteous, then we would seem to be stuck in a situation where salvation is impossible. If this were the last word, we would indeed be in trouble.
The solution is a wonderful Biblical concept called “imputed righteousness.” Simply stated, imputed righteousness means that Jesus’ righteousness is credited to my account. Romans 3:21-22 says, “But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference.” In other words, by faith, we receive a righteousness that is not our own. It is “righteousness from God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
So, are you more righteous than the scribes and Pharisees? Not in your own efforts. But, if you are a believer in Christ, then His righteousness has become your very own! I’d say that far surpasses the scribes and Pharisees, wouldn’t you? It is His righteousness imputed to us that gives us the hope of heaven. Praise the Lord for His great grace!