Our theme this week centers around what it means to thirst for God. It was our text this morning that inspired the lyrics which inspired songwriter Martin J. Nystrom. Read the words to the song and let them speak to you.
As the deer panteth for the water So my soul longeth after Thee You alone are my heart's desire And I long to worship Thee You alone are my strength, my shield To You alone may my spirit yield You alone are my heart's desire And I long to worship Thee As the deer panteth for the water So my soul longeth after Thee You alone are my heart's desire And I long to worship Thee You alone are my strength, my shield To You alone may my spirit yield You alone are my heart's desire And I long to worship Thee You're my friend And You are my brother Even though You are a King I love You more than any other So much more than anything You alone are my strength, my shield To You alone may my spirit yield You alone are my heart's desire And I long to worship Thee Be Blessed! Lamar As we near the end of 2022, we are entering the “Season of Thanks Living.” What is Thanks Living you ask? Simply, it begins with a personal inventory where blessings are counted and realized. It is from those blessings, our gratefulness flows as we share our blessings with others. Typically, the season of Thanks Living begins with Thanksgiving and extends all the way to the end of the year. During the month of November our focus shifts to that which we are thankful for: family, friends, blessings from God, etc. Originally, it all began during this season of harvest, after a summer of heavenly blessings of sunshine and rain, with farmers engaging in a moment of reflection followed by offering thanks to God for the blessing of a successful harvest. This thanksgiving meal is the prelude to the coming of a long winter after a summer of great labor. Although few of us are farmers, we too have the ability to count our blessings as we sup with family and friends. Traditionally, it has also become a time where we share our physical blessings with those who are less fortunate. This carries us into Christmas, the season where we give and exchange gifts with family, friends, co-workers, etc. This too is a time when we extend our hearts to those who are less fortunate through financial donations, gifts or other means.
As you make your plans during this season, I appeal to you to consider the needs and work of the kingdom of God. There is much we can do, but we are limited by our financial reach. If we all do our very best, I am confident we will have more than enough to accomplish our goals in reaching the lost in winning souls for Jesus. Remember the 5,000 were fed with just 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread, and that is all God is asking of you. Not a great amount beyond your ability, but just that which He has purposed to bless the kingdom. As you take inventory of your life, and the blessings of God, don’t forget to include the kingdom. I assure you your generosity will not only bless others but will also grow your faith as you put more of your trust in God. Just remember that God is able, and he works through the hearts of men and women like us. Blessings to all as we enter this wonderful season of giving! Lamar Plans are in progress for a new class which will begin within the next two weeks. This class will be uniquely different from the ones currently offered, because it is geared toward new converts, as well as those who are interested in knowing more about God. It will be taught on a beginner's level; therefore its design is to help those in attendance make the decision to follow Christ. It will be held in the home of Lamar & Jodie; the day and time are yet to be determined.
If this is a class that sounds interesting to you, let Lamar know. Space is limited so we want to ensure we can accommodate as many who are interested as possible. Also, I would like to encourage others to host classes in your homes so we can reach more with the message of Christ. If this sounds of interest to you, contact Lamar. Finally, if you would like to host a class but cannot, there is something important you can do. Please dedicate yourself to be in prayer for those in attendance in these classes that their hearts will be pricked, and they will surrender their lives to the cross. I am convinced there are many who are looking for Christ but don’t know where to look. Let us be about our Fathers’ business in leading all to the cross. Blessings! Lamar “And when they had come to the place Calvary, there they crucified Him” Lk 23:33
Jennie Hussey lived most of her life in a farmhouse where four generations of her Quaker ancestry had lived in New Hampshire. Much of her time was devoted to her helpless, invalid sister, but Jenny wasn’t known to complain and grumble. Whenever weary, she would open her Bible and turn to the story of Calvary, finding there fresh strength. She herself eventually became disabled and deformed through arthritis, but her attitude remained positive, because she wanted to bear her cross. It was out of that experience that she wrote the song “Lead Me to Calvary.” She wrote: King of my life, I crown Thee now, Thine shall the glory be; Lest I forget Thy thorn-crowned brow, Lead me to Calvary. Show me the tomb where Thou wast laid, Tenderly mourned and wept; Angels in robes of light arrayed Guarded Thee whilst Thou slept. Let me like Mary, through the gloom, Come with a gift to Thee; Show to me now the empty tomb, Lead me to Calvary. May I be willing, Lord, to bear, Daily my cross for Thee; Even the cup of grief to share, Thou has born all for me.” (Refrain): Lest I forget Gethsemane, Lest I forget Thine agony; Lest I forget Thy love for me, Lead me to Calvary. Jennie was later baptized and told the preacher, “I’ve spent so much of my life hidden away in the country, and I’d like to have the opportunity before God takes me home to tell everybody that I love Jesus.” Her request was fulfilled in this famous hymn and she remained faithful writing over 150 songs proclaiming her love of Jesus. Blessings! Lamar How many times have you heard someone complaining about their life and what isn’t going according to their plans? Life isn’t fair. We all have heard this said a thousand times - but who said life was fair? Life is life and, in most cases, life is what you make it. There are typically two reactions to life. Those who complain about what is not going the way they want, and those who take what comes and make the best of it.
It’s fair to say that life is a challenge. Each day brings with it various challenges which hold the potential to make us better in some way. They either help us build character, fortitude, and maturity, or sink us to “woe is me” despair. What is interesting is the perspective thinking of what I am going through is always worse than what others are. It is only when we take the time to consider what others are enduring, that we discover our situation isn’t as bad as we thought. Again, it’s all perspective. It just takes a walk in the footsteps of others that we realize how good we have it. One of my favorite sayings is “I once complained about not having any shoes until I met a man that didn’t have any feet.” Living in Christ addresses this situation in various ways. First, we are taught to be content whatever our situation because regardless of what it is, we know it is only temporary as eternity awaits us. Our struggles, disappointments, and frustrations are all overcome by Christ, Who gives us hope beyond our present condition. Secondly (and I think most important), it gives us compassionate eyes for what others are going through. When we see the struggles of others, our thoughts are not, better him than me, but how can I be Jesus to this person. It is this attitude that brings glory to God as we reach out to others who lack a relationship with the Savior. Remember the eyes of Jesus require perspective. Blessings! Lamar |
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