This is the Day

This is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it. ~Psalm 118:24

 

The climate in our world today is very chaotic. There are so many differing views and opinions that could often cause confusion. But as a Christian, I know that God is not the author of confusion and His Word is truth. He gives us assurance far beyond what the world could ever offer. The assurance that cause rejoicing, even in dire situations.

 

Have you ever seen a person praising God at a funeral? Have you ever heard a person saying, “Thank you, Jesus,” when they have been hurt? Not only have I heard it, I have been that person. It may seem strange to others to see someone glorifying God when circumstances appear dismal, but not to the true believer. I thank God for giving life, although it may be hard to let go when a loved one passes on. I thank God when I’ve been hurt emotionally or physically because I can recognize how to move forward [emotionally] and that I have the ability to feel pain [physically]. Does this mean that I want people to die in my life or that I want to live in pain? Absolutely not, that’s not what I’m saying.

Psalm 118:24 makes a solid statement that this is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it … period. There isn’t a conjunction offering an alternative. It doesn’t matter what you may be going through, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Although our situations may change, God never does. His truth stands no matter what.

So, today let’s meditate on what was accomplished on the Cross and not the gore and darkness of what the devil would have us to. It does not have to be Easter Sunday for us to acknowledge His Sacrifice. Many have distorted Halloween as a time of “having innocent
fun” by celebrating gloom. Instead, why not gather to celebrate life like many do at fall festivals?

God made October 31^st too, and it is for His glory, not the enemy’s.

Giving Thanks

On this day, I offer scriptures of meditation. It marks a day set aside to congregate with family and friends to give thanks unto God. Just as many other holidays that have been streamlined into secularism, this day too has been exploited. But as Christians, we must continue to keep God at the heart of everything that we do.

As this day is primarily celebrated in the United States and Canada, let us remember to give thanks everyday for our lives and those fighting overseas. I'm sure for many it is an opportunity to eat a large meal and plop down in front of the tube for some football, but it does go deeper. Consider those less fortunate and many of which this day may be the only day all month they get a hot, nourishing meal.

As I give thanks, I praise God for life, health, and strength. He has given freely to me. He has provided me with family, food, shelter, and transportation. But most of all salvation! Truly, the best gift of all is to be saved. I love you, Lord.

Let us give thanks…

“O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever,” Psalm 118:1, KJV.

“But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD,” Jonah 2:9, KJV.

“Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God,” 2 Corinthians 9:11-12, KJV.

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God,” Philippians 4:6, KJV.

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ,” Colossians 2:6-8, KJV.

“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving,” Colossians 4:2, KJV.

“Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen,” Revelations 7:12, KJV.