"IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS"
--- Missionary-Evangelist Esther
Thornton ---
At
a Camp meeting in Louisiana, I heard Evangelist R. W. Schambach tell of a true
story that occurred when he was a young boy.
His
family was gathered at the table for dinner. He had a number of brothers
and sisters. He got to sit by the old cook stove. He liked the
warmth of that thing!
But,
when he looked at the table, all of the plates and silverware were there; the
serving dishes were all in place - but there was no food in sight!
But,
Mama began to pray! And, when she prayed it took so long that he thought
to himself: "I wish she'd hurry up with this thing! Because
I'm hungry and I know a place down the street where I can at least get
something to eat!
But,
Mama continued to pray! She said, "Lord, I thank you for all the
missionaries who don't have anything (He said to himself, "We must be
missionaries - we don't have anything!").
And,
as Mama continued in prayer, the door flew open and in walked a couple from the
church, with two roasted chickens and all the trimmings, homemade bread,
and two jugs of fresh milk!
Brother
Schambach says, "How's God gonna do it?" I don't know how, but
all I know is that God's gonna do it! He's never early nor He's never
late! He's always on time!"
A thankful heart invites faith to
enter the door; and through the door of faith, comes provision! -
(E. Thornton)
"Enter
into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be
thankful unto Him and bless His name." (Psalm 100:4)
"...
My God shall supply all your need, according to His riches in glory by Christ
Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)
How
big is your faith and mine? It is "the substance of things hoped
for; the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1)
Jesus
said: "....Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have
believed." (John 20:29)
Israel
of old was commanded by God to send representatives from each household and
from each tribe to three respective Feasts during each year.
Those three Feasts were as
follows:
1.
The Feast of Unleavened Bread, which included the Feast of Passover and
Firstfruits (Lev. 23:5-14). These three Feasts covered about eight
days and took place during our March or April.
2.
The Feast of Pentecost took place some 50 days after the Feast of
Firstfruits. This corresponds with latter May or early June.
3.
The Feast of Tabernacles included the Feast of Trumpets and the Great
Day of Atonement. This lasted approximately 21 days and took place in our
months of September or October. Whether all gathered for the first two of
these last three Feasts is not known, but all were required to be present at
the seven-day Feast of Tabernacles, besides the other two gatherings in the
earlier part of the year.
At
these feasts, or whenever anyone came to Jerusalem and to the Temple to offer
up Sacrifice to the Lord, they were to enter into the "gates" of
Jerusalem with "thanksgiving". And then whenever they entered
the "courts" of the Lord, which were very close to the Brazen Altar
and the Brazen Laver, they were to enter with constant praises.
The
song continues and the stanza says:
"For
the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all
generations." (Psalm 100:5)
1.
The Lord is good (There is none like unto Him)
2.
His mercy is everlasting (mercy is a product of grace)
3.
His truth endureth to all generations. He is truth and He shall
reign forever!
I
remember when God began to speak to me about being thankful, many years
ago. I was discouraged and felt anything but thankful!
But,
the Spirit of God impressed me to list all of the things that I was thankful
for. So, I took a pen and paper and began (slowly, at first!) to
write.
But,
before I knew it, I was writing one after another, and came out with a huge
list of things to be thankful for!
When
we travel to third world countries, which we have done many times, I realize
how thankful I am to live in the United States of America!
We
can list a number of items that we are thankful for, but the greatest of all
is: to know personally the Lord Jesus Christ; to have the privilege of
serving Him; and to be able to lead others to Him!
When
the Holy Spirit of God so fills our lives to overflowing, then it is easy
"in everything (to) give thanks"!
God
is speaking to someone right now:
You
have been depressed, but as you are reading this right now, the Spirit of God
is speaking to you to rejoice, as He is bringing you into a new season in your
life, filled with praise and thanksgiving! "The joy of the
Lord" will be your strength, and you will go from "glory to
glory" and from "strength to strength!" He is leading you
into a larger place than ever before, so prepare to move forward into greater
glory!
Be
blessed today, and I am thankful for each one of you!
Esther
