Verse of the Day 11/26

Through the Bible - Ezekiel 37-38, 2 Peter 1

 

Happy Thanksgiving,

 

"Over 147 years ago, on October 3, 1863, Abraham Lincoln stated: "The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added . . . They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God . . . It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States . . . to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens."   -  From "Today in the Word" www.todayintheword.com

 

In celebrating Thanksgiving you may not think that it has much to do with repentance, but when you think about it, it is about turning away from the daily cares of this world and turning our attention to our families and for Christians, to our Heavenly Father, thanking and praising Him for the many blessings we have received.

 

The word translated as "repentance" is a from the word "metanoia" which means to change one's mind.  The original Hebrew word means "to turn around".   It's about changing our minds and moving in another, even opposite direction.  In our relationship with God it is back towards Him when we realize that we've been wandering from Him.   It is done with an attitude of thanksgiving.

 

I shared Phil. 4:6 a few weeks ago and focused on the "peace that passes understanding".  This peace comes from a heart that has been changed, in a person whose life has been turned around because the circumstances in his life have brought him home to God.

 

Phil 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.   NKJV

Helmut Thielicke writes as the conclusion of his book "Christ and the Meaning of Life",  " Repentance is not the negation of what lies behind us, it is rather a joyful setting out for what lies ahead of us.  To receive forgiveness means that our past is cancelled and we have a new future.  The Day of Repentance is the solemn promise that there is waiting for us and that there is always a tomorrow.  The one thing needful is also the one thing that is promised.  Blessed are those that have a home, for they can come home."

 

For today's verse we'll go to Colassians chapter 2 where we who have "come home to Christ" are told to walk in Him.  Part of what this will do for and in us is to enable us to abound with Thanksgiving.

 

Turning back to God in Thanksgiving can change the course of our lives, bring about reconciliation in our familes, with our neighbors, churches and in our nation.  It leads to the question, again, "who is my neighbor" or perhaps "whose neighbor am I'. 

 

Col 2:6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.   NKJV

Today we celebrate a day when differences were put aside and the pilgrims and native Indians .  May we also "come home",  put aside differences within our families, repent, change our minds, forgive and seek forgiveness, turn and joyfully set out for what lies ahead of us, walking "in Him".

 

Ps 68:19 Blessed be the Lord,
Who daily loads us with benefits,
The God of our salvation!   NKJV

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Col 2:6-11

 

6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

 

8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.   NKJV