Being thankful for the Word spoken to us by God

Soon we enter 2020 and yesterday we took a special moment to show our thankfulness to the Sovereign Maker and Giver of all things.

The beginning of this century looks just a few steps behind us, time seemingly going faster and faster as we get along being confronted with the daily troubles of politicians and nations fighting with each other all the time.

For many people life isn’t easy and often they are confronted with a lot of problems and suffering. Life and death is always around the corner. Many of us have plans but see those plans not coming into being as we wanted it. Holiday gatherings in the darker period of the year, like (for some) yesterday and the coming weeks around the end of December and beginning of January, remind us that we’re not alone and that we have loved ones that care for us.

It is the time of year we have many special gatherings, invitations, people and places to visit. It is also that time of year again when a bunch of us may find an excuse to get together

for a potluck of sorts to celebrate Thanksgiving with friends … or an excuse to get rid of leftovers. {Friendsgiving 2016}

Yesterday we took and this coming week-end we take a special time to think about our closest friends here on earth but also further away from earth, namely our Most High and Greatest Friend.

Yesterday we took special time to think and to be thankful for the One Who always has been. Our mind was and is on Him Who Is the One Who laid the foundation of the earth and created the heavens. (Hebrews 1:10)

These days we express our thankfulness especially for our ability to receive and hear His Word. We are grateful that we as ordinary human beings, many of us not belonging to the especially Chosen People of God, the Jews, but belonging to the Gentiles. We express our thanks that not only the People of Israel came to hear God’s Word, but that it is given to the goyim or non-Jews as well.

In the daily bible readings of November the 29th we read in Hebrews 1 how at sundry times and in divers manners God spoke in times past unto the fathers by the prophets, but also how He some two millennia ago had spoken unto the world and unto us by His son, whom He hath appointed ‘Heir of all things’, by whom also He made the worlds. (Hebrews 1:1-2) Also yesterday we thought of these words and expressed our thanks, for God’s Son shines out with God’s glory, and all that God’s Son is and does marks him as the most beloved son of God, who is lifted by his heavenly Father.

As followers of that son of God, we follow his words and try to live according to his command. He is the one who died to cleanse us and clear our record of all sin, and who came to sit down in highest honor beside the great God of heaven. (Mat 22:44; 26: 64; Mark 14: 62; ,19; Luke 22:69; Acts 2:33; 2:34)

We expressed our thanks yesterday that we have God’s Word that God’s enemies shall be put underneath the feet of the sent one. (Ps 110:1; Mt 22:44; Mr 14:62) We also believe that one day soon the prophesies spoken by the many men of God shall be seen as having come true by us. Then we too shall be witness of the son of man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven. (Mt 26:64)

Today, by the Word of God we know and accept that the sent one from God was taken out of the dead and received up into heaven. We also believe the words that this son of man came to sit down at the right hand of God. (Mr 16:19; Lu 22:69) Being therefore by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured forth this, which we can hear. (Ac 2:33-34)

“ {1 } The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Till I put thine enemies underneath thy feet? {1) Ps 110:1 } (Mt 22:44 ASV)

“ Jesus said unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Henceforth ye shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.” (Mt 26:64 ASV)

“ And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” (Mr 14:62 ASV)

“ But from henceforth shall the Son of man be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” (Lu 22:69 ASV)

“33 Being therefore {1 } by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he hath poured forth this, which ye see and hear. {1) Or at }34 For David ascended not into the heavens: but he saith himself, {1 } The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, {1) Ps 110:1 } (Ac 2:33-34 ASV)

So many do not want to accept that Jesus is the sent one from God, now seated next to God (and not on God’s Throne) to be a high priest for God and our mediator between us and God.

“ Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, even Jesus;” (Heb 3:1 ASV)

“ whither as a forerunner Jesus entered for us, having become a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.” (Heb 6:20 ASV)

“ But now hath he obtained a ministry the more excellent, by so much as he is also the mediator of a better covenant, which hath been enacted upon better promises.” (Heb 8:6 ASV)

“ And for this cause he is the mediator of a new {1 } covenant, that a death having taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first {1 } covenant, they that have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. {1) The Greek word here used signifies both covenant and testament } (Heb 9:15 ASV)

“ and to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better {1 } than that of Abel. {1) Or than Abel } (Heb 12:24 ASV)

“ For there is one God, one mediator also between God and men, himself man, Christ Jesus,” (1Ti 2:5 ASV)

That seem enough reason to be thankful for and should give us enough reason to tell others about God His Word and His promises which shall be a reality for the whole universe.

These coming days when many shall find a turkey at a richly filled meal to enjoy, lots of words shall be spoken, but how many words will take God’s words into account?
How many good and bad words shall roll over the table?

These coming days we also shall have today’s Black Friday were the god of material shall be celebrated, followed by Saint Maarten presents (eating goose on Saint Martin’s day), Saint Nicholas Day presents, Christmas presents, Yuletide or Christmastide presents, New Year’s Eve or Silvester presents, New Year‘s presents and gorgeous abundant meals.

At all those occasions, events or parties lots of words shall be shared, but how many shall talk about the most important words given to mankind?

How many thoughts shall find some time to think God for the most precious gift to mankind, namely His only begotten beloved son, Jesus Christ, the Messiah who offered himself without demanding us for money.

When we have enough willpower to look at that son of man Jesus, we shall be able to feel hope fill ourselves. By giving himself as a ransom price he bought us free.

Yesterday and today did you think of God? Had you taken time to hear His Word? did you take time to think about God’s son and his words?

In which way was you, or would you be more pleased with the many earthly presents than with the words of God and His son?

Let us these days take enough time to think about the Words of God and the words of His son and let the peace of Christ keep us in tune with each other, in step with each other. Let us not try to buy friendship or let it be dictated by the sort of present that we may receive or give to one another, but let our words be a proof of our brotherly love. Such days full of holidays and feasts are occasions to show our love for God and to share that precious Word of God and the Good News. Let us also take time at those family moments or time with friends to cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ — the Message — have the run of the house. At such days of coming together and of celebrations it is the right moment to speak about God and His promises. Such days are also ideal to give the Word of God and the Grace of God plenty of room in your lives. Such events or festive meals are occasions to talk about God’s Word and to instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And why not taking time to sing? Sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives — words, actions, whatever — be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.

“15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to the which also ye were called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God. 17 And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Col 3:15-17 ASV)

Preceding

Wanting for more than you need or hearing the Inviting encouragement

God spoke to our forefathers and speaks to us

Taking as many opportunities as possible to proclaim the Good News