November 27th, 2024
The Upward Look, by Jon Forrest
Thankful, No Matter What!
A few years ago, my friend, Melvin Newland shared a list several housewives had compiled of things for which they were especially thankful. Here is a sampling of their list.
I am especially thankful:
My initial to these comments is to wonder, at least to some extent, about the sincerity of these ladies’ gratitude. It seems as though they are struggling with the idea of counting their blessings. On the other hand there is another way to view their list that gives me some encouragement. It appears that they may have read the Apostle Paul’s admonishment to the Christians in Thessalonica, “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Have you ever struggled with the question, “How can a loving God allow good people to suffer?” A good example is a guy who had to be intimately familiar with Murphy’s Law, “What can go wrong will go wrong.” Or perhaps a related law, “No good deed goes unpunished.” I heard one guy say that he follows O’Tool’s Law. When I asked him what that was, he replied, “O’Tool said that Murphy was an optimist.”
A good example is Joseph, who suffered greatly at the hands of others in spite of his faithful walk with God. But, every time Joseph suffered a humiliating setback, he just accepted his circumstance and moved forward in such a way that he had great success. He did this over and over again. You would think he would have eventually lost hope, but he never did. The Genesis account of Joseph’s struggle tells us that in all that occurred, “The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered...” (verse 2 and again in verse 21).
Joseph maintained and attitude of gratitude no matter what life threw at him. His trusting heart, in the midst of the greatest storms of life, kept him on the right track and moved him to “give thanks in all circumstances.”
As we approach the Thanksgiving season, let us give thanks no matter what our challenges. God is still in charge and He will carry us into the joy of his salvation. Let us give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus!
This Sunday we will begin the Advent Season. We have daily devotional guides for each attending family of the church. If your family is large get extras. If you didn’t get yours yet, you can pick it up on the communion table by the worship center entrance on Sunday or you can come by the building and pick one up. Josh and I will present messages each Sunday that will connect you to the devotions for the coming week. This Sunday I will share a message titled A Time for Renewal based on Psalm 57. Come and enjoy this Advent (Christmas) Season at First Christian Church.
Grateful in all circumstances,
Jon
Thankful, No Matter What!
A few years ago, my friend, Melvin Newland shared a list several housewives had compiled of things for which they were especially thankful. Here is a sampling of their list.
I am especially thankful:
- "For automatic dishwashers because they make it possible for us to get out of the kitchen before the family comes back in for their after-dinner snacks.
- For husbands, who attack small repair jobs around the house because they usually make them big enough to call in the professionals.
- For children, who put away their things and clean up after themselves. They’re such a joy you hate to see them go home to their own parents
- For teenagers because they give parents an opportunity to learn a second language.
- For Smoke alarms because they let you know when the turkey’s done.
My initial to these comments is to wonder, at least to some extent, about the sincerity of these ladies’ gratitude. It seems as though they are struggling with the idea of counting their blessings. On the other hand there is another way to view their list that gives me some encouragement. It appears that they may have read the Apostle Paul’s admonishment to the Christians in Thessalonica, “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Have you ever struggled with the question, “How can a loving God allow good people to suffer?” A good example is a guy who had to be intimately familiar with Murphy’s Law, “What can go wrong will go wrong.” Or perhaps a related law, “No good deed goes unpunished.” I heard one guy say that he follows O’Tool’s Law. When I asked him what that was, he replied, “O’Tool said that Murphy was an optimist.”
A good example is Joseph, who suffered greatly at the hands of others in spite of his faithful walk with God. But, every time Joseph suffered a humiliating setback, he just accepted his circumstance and moved forward in such a way that he had great success. He did this over and over again. You would think he would have eventually lost hope, but he never did. The Genesis account of Joseph’s struggle tells us that in all that occurred, “The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered...” (verse 2 and again in verse 21).
Joseph maintained and attitude of gratitude no matter what life threw at him. His trusting heart, in the midst of the greatest storms of life, kept him on the right track and moved him to “give thanks in all circumstances.”
As we approach the Thanksgiving season, let us give thanks no matter what our challenges. God is still in charge and He will carry us into the joy of his salvation. Let us give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus!
This Sunday we will begin the Advent Season. We have daily devotional guides for each attending family of the church. If your family is large get extras. If you didn’t get yours yet, you can pick it up on the communion table by the worship center entrance on Sunday or you can come by the building and pick one up. Josh and I will present messages each Sunday that will connect you to the devotions for the coming week. This Sunday I will share a message titled A Time for Renewal based on Psalm 57. Come and enjoy this Advent (Christmas) Season at First Christian Church.
Grateful in all circumstances,
Jon
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