In the United States of America, we celebrate Thanksgiving. It's a day that traditionally was remembered because of the first celebration of a good harvest in 1621. Local Native American Indians who were allied with European settlers joined with them in three days of giving thanks to God, feasting, singing, and dancing. It was a sporadic event for a few years and by the end of the 1620's had become a national annually recognized traditional holiday.
It's wonderful to gather with family and give thanks to God, for He is good, all the time.
But God's word tells us, we should give thanks in all circumstances. 1 Thess. 5:18 Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Eph. 1:16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. Eph. 5:19b -20 Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father, for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Col 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. NIV
In our fellowship at GracePoint Community Church, we've just finished a course using Kyle Idleman's text, not a fan. It really put things in perspective for me again and reminded me, nothing on this earth is important, NOTHING, but the souls of men and women. Working the harvest for Christ.
We are saved by His grace. Not everyone is. We have a duty, a responsibility, and the joy of telling everyone about His grace. We will be shunned, persecuted, ridiculed, possibly even hurt, imprisoned or killed. But we can thank God for every opportunity and would be blessed to die for His name. because to die to self is to live in Christ eternally.
Luke 9:23-27 says this: Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God." NIV
Are you ready to take up your cross with thanksgiving?
I found the story behind that beautiful hymn and it's even more intriguing.
It's wonderful to gather with family and give thanks to God, for He is good, all the time.
But God's word tells us, we should give thanks in all circumstances. 1 Thess. 5:18 Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Eph. 1:16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. Eph. 5:19b -20 Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father, for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Col 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. NIV
In our fellowship at GracePoint Community Church, we've just finished a course using Kyle Idleman's text, not a fan. It really put things in perspective for me again and reminded me, nothing on this earth is important, NOTHING, but the souls of men and women. Working the harvest for Christ.
We are saved by His grace. Not everyone is. We have a duty, a responsibility, and the joy of telling everyone about His grace. We will be shunned, persecuted, ridiculed, possibly even hurt, imprisoned or killed. But we can thank God for every opportunity and would be blessed to die for His name. because to die to self is to live in Christ eternally.
Luke 9:23-27 says this: Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God." NIV
Are you ready to take up your cross with thanksgiving?
These are the Lyrics, the video contains the music. I tried to find it in Telugu with no results.
I have decided to follow Jesus; I have decided to follow Jesus; I have decided to follow Jesus; No turning back, no turning back. Though I may wander, I still will follow; Though I may wander, I still will follow; Though I may wander, I still will follow; No turning back, no turning back. The world behind me, the cross before me; The world behind me, the cross before me; The world behind me, the cross before me; No turning back, no turning back. Though none go with me, still I will follow; Though none go with me, still I will follow; Though none go with me, still I will follow; No turning back, no turning back. Will you decide now, to follow Jesus? Will you decide now, to follow Jesus? Will you decide now, to follow Jesus; No turning back, no turning back!
Remember this, no matter how stormy your seas, Jesus is always in the boat.
I found the story behind that beautiful hymn and it's even more intriguing.
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