Number 25									  

"Prove yourselves doers of the Word, and not merely hearers."   James 1:22

                              SPREAD  THE  WORD

We've published this monthly letter for 2 years now because of the desire God
has placed on our hearts to share His precious Word. We are far from being
experts, but it's by the Holy Spirit's grace that we truly learn God's will thru
His Word. We learn a lot each time we put this letter together. We hope you'll
be blessed as you search the Scriptures. We encourage you to copy this or do
your own Bible newsletter. Let us know if you have questions, corrections, or
disagreements .  Although we have so many resources in this land, there is a
famine of God's Word in America. People die from lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6).

                      " Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart "
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GRATEFULNESS:  This is the season we traditionally give thanks for the blessings
we have. Do you ever thank others out of politeness or habit without feeling
thankful, even towards God? At these times we need to look back on what we have
received and on what God has done for us. Meditating on God's goodness leads to
grateful hearts (Col 3:15-17). Read the Psalms especially the praiseful Psalms:
 Psa 136    Thanks God for His steadfast love which endures forever.
 Psalms  8, 21, 29, 93, 96, 97, 145           proclaim His greatness.
 Psalms 19, 92, 104, 139, 148, 150            praise Him for His creative power.
 Psalms 33, 65, 67, 68, 89, 98, 100, 103, 105   extol His lovingkindness to us.

SINCERE HEART:  Ever notice how often we say "Thank you" or "How are you?"
without meaning it? Even ceremonies in church become empty rituals if we lose
the meaning/heart of them. It's easy to love or thank someone when things are
going well; it takes trust/faith in the hard times. Praising and thanking Jesus
can cause us to look beyond ourselves and help us to focus on God's greatness.

 Acts 2:46-47  "And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple,
 and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness
 and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favor with all the people.
 And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."
   Eph 6:5 &
 Col 3:22  "Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh;
 not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God. "

ALWAYS GIVE THANKS:  The Bible makes some incredible statements. They would be
unbelievable if God had not become a man and experienced all things as we do,
except sin. Jesus can relate/sympathize with us. As we enter into a personal
relationship with Him, the Bible's promises can become real to us!  We can
give Him heartfelt thanks knowing that He understands and loves us.

 I Thes 5:16-18  "Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing
 give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

 Eph 5:18-20  "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with
 the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
 singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for
 all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;"

                                      - 2 -

 Phil 4:6  "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and
 supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."

 Heb 13:15  "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God
 continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his Name."

ADVANCE NOTICE:  Our Father knows our needs. However, He told us to ask Him for
our needs.  We are blessed and so are those around us as He answers our spoken
prayer requests. Since He is such a loving Father, we ought to have confidence
to thank Him in advance, even before the blessings have come to pass.

 Matt 6:8  "Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knows what
 things you have need of, before you ask Him."

 Rom 4:17,20-21  "As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,
 before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calls those
 things which be not as though they were ... he staggered not at the promise of
 God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being
 fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform."

 Romans 8:28  "And we know that all things work together for good to them that
 love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." (my favorite!)
We know that many bad things happen, but God is great enough to transform ashes
into something of beauty if we let Him. (Isa 61:3)

THE DANGER OF AN UNGRATEFUL HEART:  The Israelites lost sight of God's goodness
when they rebelled against Him in the desert, and the Word says their hearts
were hardened. Rom 1:21 says; "Because that, when they knew God, they glorified
him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations,
and their foolish heart was darkened." Complaining is like saying God is not
able, and that the enemy has the upper hand. The truth is: our God doesn't react
to the devil. His plans are ahead of and superior to all the wiles of the enemy.
  Psa 37:23  "the steps of the righteous are ordered of the Lord."

INHERITANCE:  Jesus has redeemed us and promised us eternal life with Him in
glory! When this reality hits home, "neither death ... nor anything "(Rom 8:38)
can stop you. We can thank God no matter what happens, we are His!

  Col 1:12  "Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us to be
  partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light."

  Luke 10:20  Jesus said " Rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

Finally, even Jesus gave thanks to the Father.  Matt 11:25, 26:27, John 6:11,
11:41, Acts 27:35  Let's follow our Masters example and give thank to God.

       MAY GOD BLESS YOU WITH A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY !