Title: Why I Thank God
November is the month of Thanksgiving. With the month of December remaining in the year, it is time to look back on the year and refine the unsatisfactory parts. Speaking of marathons, I'd say it's time for the last spurt.
In the famous text of thanksgiving, I am going to meditate on why I have no choice but to thank God with all my heart. Rather than commenting on the text piece by piece, I want to find the reason for the gratitude that touched my heart while reading the text several times, and I want to receive the grace that allows me to be more grateful and more sensitive to gratitude.
2. I give thanks for God's kind and faithful word ( verses 2, 4 )
Martin Luther struggled endlessly with the question of whether he was really saved. He climbed the stone steps of repentance next to St. Peter's Church in Rome, and repented until his knees were all peeled and bleeding, but his deep heart could not be sure of salvation. After a dark and boring soul wandering, Martin Luther rediscovered the truth that leads to salvation through faith in the faithful words of <The gospel reveals the righteousness of God, leading from faith to faith, as it is written, The righteous shall live by faith alone Romans 1:18> and found peace of mind.
Augustine, when his soul reached a state of exhaustion in the sins of corruption and self-indulgence, "Walk modestly as in the daytime, not in licentiousness and drunkenness, not in licentiousness and sensuality, not in strife and envy, but clothe yourself in the Lord Jesus Christ for lust. Do not seek the works of the flesh, Romans 13:13 > received the word, and the soul found rest and was exhausted.
Like Martin Luther and Augustine, I too today tremble in my bones and restless in my soul because of economic threats, human dangers, and my own sins. To me, who is so oppressed and anxious, < Do not let your heart be troubled, because you believe in God, believe in me again! The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; whom shall I fear? God is on my side, what can man do to me? > Thank you for giving me a new life through your kind and faithful words.
It is in words that kill and save people. The grass dries up and the flowers fall, but God's words that save people stay strong. I give thanks to God with all my heart for His loving and faithful word who saves me when I am dying.
When my soul is infinitely restless and discouraged within me, God forgives all my sins, fills me with a new spirit, and satisfies my desires with good things, so that I am renewed like an eagle. I cannot help but give thanks to God with all my heart. There is not.
3. I thank God for answering my supplications (v. 3)
Have you ever prayed to God and then received an answer from God? I am experiencing God's answers these days. Previously, I had prayed and supplied, but I forgot it so quickly that I didn't even notice that you answered it, and I was just drawing it. This is not unusual! This is definitely God's answer! > is full of feelings.
When I decided to plant a church, I prayed for three things. One of them is to build a church that is strong and fresh like a shoal of fish that cuts through the dark blue waves, a church where there is no fighting and everyone enjoys peace, and a church that has the word to save people, not a dry theory. The two publish a spring water book of the Word to serve as a document to their loved ones. The three of them were to grow into a church devoted to service and missions.
There were so many things we needed while planting a church. There were so many problems with presbytery membership, funds for church facilities, the cost of living for our family, church chairs and podiums, air conditioning, computers, printers, photocopiers, telephones, fax machines, cameras, church roofs, floors, curtains, vehicles, bell towers, signs, and so on. Each time we prayed.
By the way, take a look here. For everything we asked for, we received God's answer to everything we asked. And I know that the rest will be answered soon. I got a feeling. < Give thanks to him who alone does great wonders, for his mercy endures forever (Psalm 136:4)! > Truly Amen Hallelujah!
4. I thank God for perfecting my relationship (v. 8)
How surprising are you? You are perfecting all that has to do with me! I mean.
Raise your hands in praise and thank you for perfecting everything related to me, including my weak faith, ministry, character, family, friends, vision, plans, and death.
The Bible shows how faithfully God kept His promises. Look at Abraham. All those promises that you will become a great nation, a great land, a great name, and a source of blessings have come true. So is the promise with Moses.
I can't help but be grateful, believing that He will also perfect the things related to me.
5. Closing Story /
Thanksgiving Sunday, November 15, 1998 is also the second anniversary of our church's founding. They linked the founding day of our church with Thanksgiving Sunday in prayer. There are many good things about doing this.
Looking back on the growth of our church over the past two years, there is nothing but gratitude. It was a time when I experienced God's grace through my body. And above all, I owe a lot of help and love to each and every one of my <Dear Friends> who receive the fountain of water in this verse. Put your hands together and bow your head to say thank you!