Monday, November 4, 2019

A Time to Give Thanks

By Shirley Wiggins

“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out!”  Romans 11:33 (NIV).

A national day of Thanksgiving approaches in our country on the fourth Thursday of every November.  
A day to plan for and make preparations for;  a day to open our homes and share with others our very hearts for this great and wonderful God whom we are privileged to know and to serve.

A time to gather together, clasp hands in an unbroken circle as we give thanks to God above, the great God; our great and awesome God. 
 A special day set aside to acknowledge His daily presence, provision, and protection to all who call upon His name; a time to honor Him with our praise and thanksgiving.

A time to call upon this God of mercy, compassion, and love;  a time to pray in unity for His continued blessings upon our children and our families, and all the families of the earth.
Many of us can testify to the fact that life today is not easy.  So many people around the world are suffering physically, financially, emotionally, and spiritually.

Still, some  know and acknowledge and proclaim praise to the God of the universe, the Lord of creation.  When we speak, we may  be assured of His listening ear turned to us in our times of need.
A beautiful reminder is  given in the Old Testament Book of Malachi, whose very name means “messenger.”   Although Malachi gives a very solemn message to the world from the world’s Creator, we see in chapter 3:16-18,  a precious promise from this glorious God.

 “Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard.  A scroll of remembrance was written in His presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored His name.  ‘They will be Mine,’  says the LORD Almighty, ‘ in the day when I make up My treasured possession.  I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him.  And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.’  Malachi 3:16-18 (NIV) .
Set aside time to read Malachi, to reflect, and to allow the Sender of the message to commune with you.

Good Friday By Shirley Wiggins   “ The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raise...