Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise. Psalm 66:1-2

What is your praise to God?  For what are you thankful?  As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, it is truly time to take a moment and think about all the things for which you are thankful.

Then, after considering all you are thankful for, what is your response?  What is the joyful noise you will make?  The psalmist calls us to make a joyful noise, to sing God’s glory; how will you do this?  How will you make known your joy to God’s blessings?

As you enter into this Thanksgiving week, remember to think about all of God’s blessings, and how you will tell your story.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

¹Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. ²And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. ³And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
“See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples,
and God himself will be with them; ⁴he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.” Revelation 21:1-8

If you are attending the bible study on Revelations, this is a spoiler alert:  God wins.  This was the promise through the Prophet Isaiah; this is the promise through John of Patmos.  God will re-create the heavens and the earth; God will create all things new and there will be no more pain.

This sounds great, but what about today?  What about the hardships “I” am enduring today, you may ask.

I get it.  We are all going through lots of difficulties.  For some it might be job related, for others health, others family and relationships.  For some, it is all of these things and more.  We know people who are hungry, who are hurting, who are lost, who are in need.  How does this scripture help them? 

It is a promise of hope, that thing will improve, yet in order for people to believe this, others must step up.  Each of us, no matter what our situations, must help those around us so they, too, know the promises of God.  Maybe we cannot solve their problem, but we can help.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

¹³Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” ¹⁴And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” ¹⁵He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” ¹⁶Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” ¹⁷And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. ¹⁸And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. ¹⁹I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” ²⁰Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. Matthew 16:13-20

It is the ultimate question, who is Jesus to you?  We all know the Sunday school answer, but the true answer lies deep within our souls:  Who do you say Jesus is?

As you travel through this week, seeing the news, hearing both bad and good, ask yourself the question “who is Jesus and how would he respond?”.  Wrestle with this.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

¹⁰When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests in their vestments were stationed to praise the LORD with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, according to the directions of King David of Israel; ¹¹and they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the LORD, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel.” And all the people responded with a great shout when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. Ezra 3:10-11

The exile was over and the people were returning to Jerusalem.  The building campaign had begun and the foundation of the temple was laid.  All of a sudden trumpets and cymbals cried out, as did the people, giving thanks for God had restored them, God kept the promise.

Perhaps you are still in your “exile”, or the situation does not look good, but look to these scriptures of Thanksgiving, for they tell us that God does restore, God does rebuild, God does recreate, and your time of restoration is near.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good and his steadfast love endures forever.  Amen.

Peace,

Pastor Bill