October 14, 2024 -- Philippians 4:2-9 -- Thanksgiving

I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness[d] be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:2-9 ESV

It is so easy to miss the opportunity to give thanks to God. It is a sign of the relentless busyness of the culture that stopping for one day in the week, the day of rest, is virtually unheard of anymore. Now, a day set apart by the government so that believers (and unbelievers as well) learn to give thanks, this day must be seized upon so that gratitude flows from the lips of believers as a fragrant offering to God.

It is so easy to miss the opportunity to give thanks to God because of the petty grievances and misunderstandings that linger among the people of a congregation, as they did among the Philippians.

If perhaps you are struggling to find reasons to give thanks to God, look at your life and relationships. Are you at peace with God and the people whom He has placed in your life? Are you reconciled and prepared to be reconciled in every case of offense? Unresolved relational conflicts will keep believers from offering to God the whole-hearted praise due His glorious Name.

Do you spend time through-out your day meditating on God and blessing Him for all His goodness to you? Whenever you go through your devotions, write out the attributes of God. Consider the list of them, the length of them and His perfections. Doing so will lift you from focusing on the problems of life and instead lead you to Him Who gives you new life.

A passage such as this one from Philippians teaches believers to consider one another as precious in the sight of God. Fellow believers redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ and who are so worthy of consideration and mild approach that together the body of Jesus is built up.

Give thanks and praise to God for those in your life who are agents of reconciliation.

Give praise and thanks to God for those whom He has put in the congregation where you attend and placed within the family of God.

Give thanks to God for the riches of this glorious salvation, which assures believers their names are written in the Lamb's book of life. Give thanks to God for personally. Think of all the benefits and rich blessings He has poured out into your life, given to our country, and let thanksgiving fill this day.

ALMIGHTY GOD and heavenly Father, we glorify You that we are once more permitted to enjoy the fulfilment of Your gracious promise, that, while the earth remains, seed-time and harvest shall not fail. Blessed are You, Who has given us to fruits of the earth in their season. Teach us to remember that it is not by bread alone that man lives; but that we may feed on Him Who is the True Bread which comes down from heaven, even Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour; to Whom with You, O Father, and You, O Holy Spirit, be honour and glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Thanksgiving for the Harvest. DIVINE SERVICE BOOK FOR THE ARMED FORCES, 1950

https://youtu.be/9c7VaTjyuLA?si=zwkYzraW85V5VtT2 Now Thank We All Our God

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