Luke 2:38
“And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.” Anna is one of the women of the Bible that is often overlooked. Her story is found within what we refer to as “The Christmas Story” in Luke 2. Only three verses are written about her; yet, she is a great example of who we should all strive to be. Luke 2:36-37 “And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.” Even in her old age, she was faithful. She faithfully served God night and day in the temple. Anna was devoted to serving the Lord. “and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.” But before she spake of Him to others, she thanked Him. She knew He was coming soon. She wanted to share the Good News with those who needed redemption. Her faith would soon become sight as she saw Jesus, and she would spend the rest of her days telling others about Him. Though she was looking for His first coming, does her story not sound like how we should be today? He is coming again soon. This time He will not be found as a baby in a manger, but rather as the King of kings and Lord of lords. Soon it will be too late to receive Him as Saviour. What a privilege we have to be entrusted with the Gospel of Jesus Christ! With that great privilege comes a humbling responsibility. How often do we take the Gospel for granted? If we are not faithfully sharing the Good News with others, do we really know Him? We cannot speak of Someone we do not know. Thank Him for the opportunity to speak of Him today. Thank Him that He made salvation possible. Thank Him that He was willing to die for you. Thank Him today for His first coming, then go tell someone else about why He came. Bible Reading: Ezekiel 19-20 | Psalm 98-99
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Matthew 15:36
“And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.” When you hear the words “the feeding of the…” most likely you finished that phrase with 5,000. What a miracle that was, Jesus took five loaves of bread and two fishes, and fed a multitude of at least 5,000 people. There remained 12 baskets of fragments left over, one for each disciple. Many times, we overlook a similar miracle found in Matthew 15. Matthew 15:37-38 “And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full. And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children.” He took seven loaves and a few little fishes, fed at least 4,000, and seven baskets full were left. A cynic may say, “well, He had more food to work with and fed less people…”, all the while failing to see that it was still a miracle. The little supply that was available was brought to Jesus. Anything His hands touched resulted in a miracle taking place. But notice the first thing Jesus did when He received what was available… He gave thanks. Jesus gave thanks to His Father for what they had before He broke the loaves and fishes into fragments. He knew what He was about to do. He knew the miracle that was about to happen. Yet, He thanked God the Father before anything else happened. Perhaps we should follow His example and thank the Lord for what we have and what we believe He will do before we do anything else to help our situation. Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” He may already be working on the problem. He may have a miracle waiting for us. Perhaps He is only waiting for us to be thankful for what we have now. Ephesians 5:20 “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;” Maybe He desires us to thank Him in faith believing He will come through. Choose to be thankful today for the miracle that could happen tomorrow. Bible Reading: Ezekiel 17-18 | Psalm 95-97 Daniel 6:10
“Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.” There had been a decree signed by King Darius that prohibited anyone from asking a petition of any God or man except the king for thirty days. Daniel 6:7 “All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.” That meant it was unlawful for Daniel to pray to his God. If he continued to faithfully pray to God, he would be cast into the den of lions. He had a choice to make. Would he do what he knew in his heart was right or would he concede to the demands of the government? Daniel 6:11 “Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.” Despite what was now the law of the land, he chose to be faithful to God. He did not even try to hide. He prayed with the windows open, unashamed of his faith. There is coming a day, and for some it has already come, that we will be forced to choose who we will obey. What will we choose when we are threatened with a den of lions? There may not be literal lions waiting for us, but there is a lion who walks about seeking to devour anyone who has placed their faith in Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” Will we continue to pray? Will we continue to give thanks to the One Who gives us all things? Acts 4:19 “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.” Bible Reading: Ezekiel 15-16 | Psalm 92-94 1 Thessalonians 2:13
“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” In our walk with the Lord, we read His Word, we listen to preaching and we glean from the people He has placed in our lives. If we are not careful, we can slowly begin to focus on the words of others more closely than the Word of God. We must remind ourselves from time to time that any advice we receive from someone should be rooted in the Word. His Word is powerful. Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” His Word makes the difference. Isaiah 55:11 “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” When we are asked to give an answer to the reason for the Hope that lies within us, we must simply point them to the Word. Remember the parable of the Sower… …some of the Seed fell on the wayside, and ended up eaten by the fowls. …some fell upon a rock, and withered away. …some fell among thorns, and choked. …and other fell on good ground, and bare fruit. The sower was just to sow the Seed of the Word of God and allow the Lord to do the rest. Thankfully, it is not our job to persuade or guide. It is simply our responsibility to point them to the effectual Word of God. Philemon 6 “That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.” Bible Reading: Ezekiel 13-14 | Psalm 89-91 Psalm 119:62
“At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.” When the storms of life rage around us, His Word can bring us comfort and peace. Knowing His Word in the midst of our storm allows us to give thanks to Him even in our darkest hour. Unless we know His Word, we cannot give Him thanks for what He has done. Psalm 119:75 “I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.” In the midst of our affliction, we have to decide whether to allow the circumstances to distract us or remind us of what God’s Word says. He brings situations to pass so that we can learn Who He is in the middle of our suffering. Unless we know His Word, we cannot give Him the praise He deserves. Psalm 119:7 “I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.” Our hearts cannot be right with Him, if we are not spending time in the Scriptures. Studying the Word shows us Who God is, and why He alone deserves our praise. Unless we know His Word, we cannot understand the difference between right and wrong. Psalm 119:128 “Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.” In order to know which way is wrong, we must first know the right way. Jesus Christ alone is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. We cannot be on the right way, have the Truth, or experience real life without Him. All of this begins with knowing His Word. Before we praise the Lord, we must know why He deserves our praise. Before we thank the Lord, we must know what He has done for us. Thank Him for His Word today by seeking to know Him more. Bible Reading: Ezekiel 11-12 | Psalm 86-88 2 Thessalonians 1:3
“We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;” Paul, Silas and Timothy pinned a second letter to the church of Thessalonica, and they began once again by thanking God for the people. But this time, they specifically noticed their spiritual growth. “because that your faith groweth exceedingly” Is your faith growing? Or perhaps you have found yourself in somewhat of a spiritual rut lately. We’ve all been there. The best way to get out of a rut, and continue to grow is to drown yourself with the Word of God. 1 Peter 2:2-3 “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.” A taste of His Word can change our perspective and our position. 2 Peter 3:18 “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” They also noticed growth in the people’s love for one another. “and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;” Are you investing in others? That is a true sign of love toward one another. John 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” It is so easy to only be focused on ourselves and what we need that we miss out on being a blessing to others. Philippians 2:4 “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” Thank Him today for those who have invested in you so that you could grow. Where would you be if someone had not shown the love of Christ to you? May remembering them cause you to desire to invest in someone else. Bible Reading: Ezekiel 9-10 | Psalm 83-85 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3
“We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;” Consider for a moment what it is that makes you thankful for someone. Is it something that they have done for you? Is it simply for who they are? Paul, Silas and Timothy were giving thanks for the people of the church at Thessalonica. They made it a priority to pray for these people that were dear to their hearts. They were so thankful for them that they remembered them constantly. “Remembering without ceasing…” Has anyone ever made that kind of impact on you? We find three specific reasons they were thankful for them in these verses. “your work of faith” “labour of love” “patience of hope” Each of these reasons were rooted in Christ. “… in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;” He was their motive for all that they did. Could someone say that of us? And if so, enough for them to thank the Lord remembering us in their prayers? What a convicting thought. May we all strive to live with such a testimony. Bible Reading: Ezekiel 7-8 | Psalm 80-82 John 11:41
“Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.” Jesus was standing at the grave of His friend, Lazarus, who had been dead four days. He continued His prayer explaining why He had thanked the Father for hearing Him. John 11:42 “And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.” Perhaps if we realized how our thankfulness affects other people, we would thank Him more. He was groaning within Himself, weeping over His friend’s situation. He heard the rebuke of Martha as she told Him the impossibility of the situation now that her brother was dead, then He reminded her of what He had already said. John 11:40 “Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?” She either forgot what He said, or simply chose not to believe Him. Is that not what we do on a regular basis? We have the perfect Word of God at our fingertips. The answer to every situation lies within the Words on the pages. Yet, so often, we choose to ignore or forget what He said. Whatever seemingly impossible situation lies in front of you today, He is Able. Ephesians 3:20 “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,” As much as He is Able to provide a solution, He is also waiting for us to cry unto Him for help. He desires for us to call upon Him. Jeremiah 33:3 “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” He encourages us to ask, seek, knock. Matthew 7:7-8 “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” When the task in front of us seems impossible, the Lord hears the cry of His children. Bible Reading: Ezekiel 5-6 | Psalm 77-79 1 Timothy 1:12
“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;” As children of God, each of us have been entrusted with the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ. 1 Timothy 1:11 “According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.” Whether or not you have a ministry title beside your name, each of His children have a responsibility to the furtherance the Gospel. He does not intend for us to try this on our own, for He knows we are nothing without Him. 2 Corinthians 3:5 “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;” Along with the entrustment, comes His enabling. He is our Enabler. Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” He enables us to plant the Seed of the Word of God, and water those Seeds that have already been planted. Then He gives the increase. How faithful are we to plant and water? Do we allow the things of this world to distract us from our purpose? Acts 20:24 “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Depend on His enabling today as you set out to further the Gospel. Thank Him for allowing you the opportunity to be counted faithful for His glory. Bible Reading: Ezekiel 3-4 | Psalm 74-76 2 Timothy 1:3
“I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;” Veteran’s Day is a day set aside each year to remember those who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States of America. It occurs on this day in honor of the end of World War 1 in 1918 on “the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month”. We remember and are thankful for those who have served, as well as those who have given the ultimate sacrifice so that we can have the freedoms we still have today. This day ought to also cause us to remember the Ultimate Soldier, Who laid down His life as a ransom for many. Matthew 20:28 “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” John 15:13 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Jesus Christ gave His life for us. May we also be thankful today for how He chose to serve us to give us eternal freedom. Many have chosen to dawn a different uniform in service to Him. 2 Timothy 2:3-4 “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.” Each uniform looks a little different than a typical soldier. Some wear a suit and tie, some a modest dress. Some wear casual apparel as they walk on a foreign field telling others about Him. Some dawn a company logo as they so shine amongst their co-workers. Some are covered with the evidence of motherhood as they raise their children. Some stay behind the scenes with no desire to be seen of anyone but Him. Whatever your uniform of service to Him looks like, wear it with a thankful heart of why we serve Him. Acts 27:23-24 “For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.” Be a good soldier for Him today, thanking Him for the opportunity to serve. Bible Reading: Ezekiel 1-2 | Psalm 71-73 |
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