I WAS GLAD
How thankful we should be that we have so much to be grateful for. I sometimes wonder how many are thankful that they have the privilege and opportunity to gather together and worship God. We have a wonderful place at Montrose to gather together to worship God. Our attendance in recent weeks indicates that some are not thankful for that privilege. David said in Psalm 122:1, ÒI was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.Ó Scholars indicate that David had not had that opportunity, perhaps going back ten generations. Now he had such, and he was going to take full advantage of it.
I wish I knew the answer as to how to get people to take Christianity seriously. I know it is a heart problem. I just wish I knew how to change their hearts to get people to see how importance be a faithful Christian is to our Heavenly Father, and that church attendance is part of that faithfulness. I know that we should focus on the ones who are faithful, who you can count on week after week to be here, but it is still difficult to understand why others do not do that. There are a good number that, if they are absent, you know something must be wrong. There are others that are so inconsistent that you donÕt know if they are sick, traveling, or just did not feel like getting out of bed and attending services. It was interesting to see the number we had Sunday morning for worship and the number who stayed for Bible class. 91% stayed for Bible study. We generally run about 75% who stay. That tells me that those who were not here Sunday generally do not stay for Bible study. I am thankful for those who are faithful and dependable Christians.
I received a poem from Jeff Archey (a friend of Ted and I), this week about Thanksgiving. Words of wisdom for us.
This Thursday day, yes it shall be,
Turkey and trimmings for all to see.
Eat a bunch...but don't get in a rut.
Everything we consume goes straight to the gut.
Things for Which I Am Thankful
Introduction:
1. Sing ÒCount Your Many BlessingsÓ
2. Could enumerate many in many years.
3. Could speak of blessings to be found in family.
4. Could speak of blessings associated with friendship.
5. Could certainly speak of blessings to be found in Christ.
6. As this season approaches, are reminded of just how much have.
7. As we think about giving thanks, here are some things for which I am thankful.
I)
Elders Who Stand for the Truth
II)
Deacons Who Are Concerned about Needs of This
Congregation
III)
The Wives of These Men Who Stand By Their Sides
IV)
The Elderly Who Continue to Give Us Rich Legacy
V)
The Young People Who Provide Such a Hope for Tomorrow
VI) Ladies Who Do So Many Things Behind the Scene
A) Food for gatherings, grieving families, special occasions (always prepared to help)
B) Send cards, letters (ambassadors of good will)
VII)
Song Leaders Who Enjoy What You Do and Live What You Sing
VIII) Bible
Class Teachers Who Serve as Backbone of Spiritual Growth
IX)
Ladies Who Are Faithful Though Your Husbands Are Not
(Vice-versa)
X)
Middle-Aged Who Remain Loyal to Lord Though Life Has
Dealt You Many Heartaches
XI)
Those on Whom We Can Count to Be Here Every Time
XII)
Those Who Care for Family Members Who Have Trouble
Caring for Themselves
XIII) Those
Who Take Care of Communion
XIV) Those
Who Serve at LordÕs Table, Pray, Usher, Keep Attendance
XV)
Those Who Pray Regularly for the Elders and Preacher
XVI) Those
Who Visit the Sick, Aged, Non-Members
XVII) Those
Who Live Christianity Every Day
XVIII) Those Who
Do Things None of Us Know About
Conclusion:
- If not Christian, thankful you are here
- If unfaithful to Lord, thankful you are here
--Sermon Outline from Eddy Gilpin on Thanksgiving
DonÕt Wait For
Thanks
I guess one of the things that I struggle with is people who are totally unappreciative of kindnesses and love that good people bestow on others. I suppose one should not be quick to blame folks for the coldness that exists in this present world. Yet, just the other day I was walking in a store and a lady was behind me pushing a baby stroller. I paused to hold the door for her and she looked at me and said, ÒYou donÕt need to do that. Will you move please?Ó
Needless to say I was simply astonished. I was brought up with the teaching that if a woman is walking down the sidewalk with you that you walk on the side near the road, to say please and thank you, to say IÕm sorry and to be grateful and indebted to those who were so kind to go out of their way for you. My gift reminds me to keep on being nice even when people in this bitter impolite civilization donÕt care. You know why? It is more important what God sees in us than what the spiritually blind cant see. Heaven will be inhabited by the grateful.
ÒAs he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him--and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well." ÐLuke 17:12 Ð 19
Did you read it? One of them said thank you. Ten were healed by the love of Jesus. Only one said thank you. In these days it is hard to keep a gentle heart of caring and being full of love. Many take advantage of the LordÕs church. Many in the church take advantage of each other thinking it is a requirement. They use the church to get married, bury their dead and even as a pillow of comfort when they days are tough. Then, just like the nine they just walk off and bathe in their good things they received never uttering a sentiment of thanks.
Let me encourage all of us to keep doing the good things. I know someone who is very thankful. He matters the most. Read Matthew 5:11-14.
"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.Ó - Matt 5:11 Ð 14
- Rick Woodall , Logansport Indiana.
MONTROSE FAMILY NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Nov 29, 2009