Msg #1446 In Everything Give Thanks

What The Bible Says

Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

The wisest philosopher cannot account for the ongoing attitude of the born again believer who practices the three perpetuals of Christianity. Solomon ponders this dilemma in Ecc 9:1-3a, “For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them. All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath. This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all...” Bad things do happen to good people. But when a believer practices God's command to “pray without ceasing,” those things cannot cause him to faint. “Men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” (Luke 18:1) When a believer can “rejoice evermore”, these things cannot overpower his joy. And when the believer learns the value of God's command, “In everything give thanks,” the rational philosopher stumbles before the supernatural God who holds us in his hand. It is amazing what praising will do. God changes brain chemistry when you “Count your many blessings.” Romans accounts man's decline from God, and the first step is “they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful.” (1:21) Don't approach that first step; many have fallen down the whole flight of stairs. Be thankful you were born in a country that still has a National Day of Thanks Giving. Then take full advantage of that fourth Thursday of November.

An Essay for week #46 11/16/2014

In paperback at www.lulu.com/spotlight/GSBaptistChurch

In paperback at www.lulu.com/spotlight/GSBaptistChurch

Msg in audio at www.GSBaptistChurch.com/audio/gs141116.mp3

View Thesis "Reformed Theology NOT" at www.Theology.GSBaptistChurch.com