" Let's Give Thanks! "

" Therefore I will give Thanks unto Thee,
        O Lord, among the heathen,
and I will Sing Praises unto Thy Name! "

From the Pastor's Study:
As the Thanksgiving season approaches, we not only prepare for the Thanksgiving meal, but let us meditate upon the multitude of things to be thankful for in this past year.  It will take a time of meditation to remember the marvelous works of the Lord.  He has brought us to another season of thankfulness.  Scripture records over and over to sing unto the Lord, to marvel in His goodness, and to give unto the Lord thanksgiving.  Such thanks were an intricate part of the worship throughout bible times.  As you read the Scriptures in the Old Testament, you find that the judgment of the Lord was strong upon Israel and the heathen nations.  There were wars, captivity, wilderness wanderings, sometimes lack of food and water, but rejoicing always returned in the midst of repentance.  In the New Testament they rejoiced in 'stripes and beatings' - in imprisonment, cruel mocking, scourging, they were stoned, sawn asunder and slain with the sword.  They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted and tormented.  And Scripture tell us: " All, having obtained a good report through faith..."  such servants of the Lord sang at midnight in the midst of the sore discomfort!  It was through prayer and supplication that they made their requests known unto their God.  And in the midst of the 11th Chapter of Hebrews where we learn this information, we read:  " I will declare Thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the Church will I sing praise unto Thee."  May a Holy Ghost inspired song arise in our spirit as we face the challenges of our day.  And may the song of the Lord bring to remembrance the joy of thanksgiving in our heart.
                                                 Loving you, Pastor