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Upcoming Sermons & Devotional Message
November Sermons 2025
11-30- The Promise First Sunday in Advent
Isaiah 9:1-6 Luke 1:26-38
December Sermons 2025
12-7- Man of God
Matthew 1:18-21 Matthew 1:22-25
12-14- The Magnificat
Luke 1:39-45 Luke 1:46-56
12- 21- Prepare The Way of The Lord
Luke 1:57-66 Luke 1:67-80
12- 24- Good News
Luke 2: 1-7 Luke 2:8-20
12-28- We Have Seen His Star
Matthew 2:1-6 Matthew 2:7-12
Devotional Message : These will change 1-2 times a week. Stop by often to read the new message.
Some Thoughts on Thanksgiving Day
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
The Apostle Paul writes:
"Give thanks in all circumstances." (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Most read that verse and think it rather nice. So we slap a sloppy coat of thanksgiving on life and go about our day, but sometimes that’s easier said than done, isn’t it?
Some of us struggle with giving thanks today because life is hard, and we think we should get a pass on hardship. That’s not the story of the saints—including Paul. When Paul writes, “Give thanks in all circumstances,” he knows what he’s talking about.
What we need to do is develop a theology of suffering—the belief God does some of His greatest and deepest work in our lives during times of suffering and adversity—we’ll never develop the kind of faith that helps us persevere through life.
Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of giving thanks regardless of the circumstances. It’s my life experience that God does some of His most needed and extensive heart work in my life during my most-difficult moments. When I come through the other side—and there is always another side—God’s changed me. Thank God for the deeper work He does in life’s hardest seasons.
I want you to notice that the Bible doesn’t command us to feel thankful in all circumstances. Instead, it commands us to “give thanks in all circumstances.” When I praise God in a difficult situation, even if I don’t feel like it, many times the scales fall from my eyes and I begin to see glimpses of His glory sprinkled on the black backdrop of the situation like diamonds on black velvet. Sometimes I don’t see glory in tragedy, but I still can praise God because I know He's there.
Thanksgiving changes the lens through which we see the circumstances in our lives. It changes our perspective—despite shattered dreams, broken relationships, tumultuous circumstances, unfulfilled longings, and chronic suffering. When we praise God for who He is and thank Him for what He’s done, our perspective of Him grows larger and our problems grow smaller. As a result, we’ll experience a deeper sense of intimacy with God as the emotional gap between what we know to be true and how we feel at the moment closes.
So give thanks, my friends! It may be the key to the relief you desire.
