Sometimes God allows us to go through trials so that we may come to acknowledge the sufferings He endured as He dwelled among us in the body of Christ. On this Thanksgiving Holiday, as most of us celebrate apart from friends and family, we should be reminded that, just as Jesus suffered, "outside the gates of the city"; we must likewise endure this "light affliction" of separation, even meeting Him outside the walls of the church, with gratitude, remaining prayerful that He will mercifully spare us from even greater exile.
Let us incline our ears to hear, so that when this trial is over, we may endeavor all the more, in compassion and humility, to open our hearts to those who exist every single day on the peripheries of society. This year's trials especially, should help us to understand that Thanksgiving Day is representative of so much more than a meal. For, as with every day, man does not live by bread alone, but by every word which proceedeth out of the mouth of God; the sum of which is, "LOVE ONE ANOTHER."
Thus, we must put away selfishness, for selfishness only seeks to exclude, which harms the heart. Jesus' very walk in the earth rebuked selfishness and exclusion that all might have the opportunity to embrace redemption, and thereby be included in God's family, both in heaven and on earth.
And so, just as God welcomes us into His kingdom family, we must be willing to welcome others into our families. Not just our church family, but likewise our country: our cities, neighborhoods, and yes, sometimes (with discernment of course) even into our homes. For there is nothing we have that did not come from God. We therefore, give thanks, not only for our blessings; but also for the opportunity to share our blessings with others, as Jesus shared His blessed inheritance with us.
I pray that we will soon be fully restored to the church. But, let us all first humble ourselves to ask, as David did, for God to teach us how to pray, and how to love, with acceptance; receiving others according to His definition of love, that our prayers, especially in the church, not be hindered.
Recommended Reading: Luke 10: 25 - 37
Let us incline our ears to hear, so that when this trial is over, we may endeavor all the more, in compassion and humility, to open our hearts to those who exist every single day on the peripheries of society. This year's trials especially, should help us to understand that Thanksgiving Day is representative of so much more than a meal. For, as with every day, man does not live by bread alone, but by every word which proceedeth out of the mouth of God; the sum of which is, "LOVE ONE ANOTHER."
Love does no harm to a neighbor
Thus, we must put away selfishness, for selfishness only seeks to exclude, which harms the heart. Jesus' very walk in the earth rebuked selfishness and exclusion that all might have the opportunity to embrace redemption, and thereby be included in God's family, both in heaven and on earth.
God places the lonely in families
And so, just as God welcomes us into His kingdom family, we must be willing to welcome others into our families. Not just our church family, but likewise our country: our cities, neighborhoods, and yes, sometimes (with discernment of course) even into our homes. For there is nothing we have that did not come from God. We therefore, give thanks, not only for our blessings; but also for the opportunity to share our blessings with others, as Jesus shared His blessed inheritance with us.
I pray that we will soon be fully restored to the church. But, let us all first humble ourselves to ask, as David did, for God to teach us how to pray, and how to love, with acceptance; receiving others according to His definition of love, that our prayers, especially in the church, not be hindered.
Isaiah 56:7 (KJV) for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.
WE GIVE THANKS
HAPPY THANKSGIVING
WE GIVE THANKS
HAPPY THANKSGIVING
Recommended Reading: Luke 10: 25 - 37
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