Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!
I thank my God in all remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, thankful for your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel thus about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruits of righteousness which come through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:3-11
Thanksgiving is manifested by the fundamental awareness of being gifted, blessed with life. We do not earn, create, or cause ourselves to exist. God’s love for us is the solid foundation.
Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; (a talent was more than fifteen years’ wages for a laborer) and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; (the denarius was a day’s wage for a laborer) and seizing him by the throat he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and besought him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison till he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his lord delivered him to the jailers, till he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.” Matthew 18:23-35
Praise and thanksgiving to God for his goodness, forgiveness, and love! God’s Holy Spirit, keeps me keenly aware of the amazing grace of God in his forgiveness – and the love of Jesus, his Spirit puts within to make possible our forgiveness of one another.
Thanksgiving springs forth from God’s love for us and his desire to save us to the uttermost by grace through faith in Jesus; and empowers our giving and thanks.
Nancy and I bless the Lord and thank you for the gifts of love and kindness for our Birthdays, Pastor Appreciation and for including our ministry staff, retired Pastor’s/spouses in your appreciation – thank you!
Thanks and praise to God for saints who have gone before us. We give thanks in the abundance of the goodness of life which God creates, and we remember God called creation good!
Harvest reminds us that Jesus who began a good work is bringing it toward completion. Jesus invites us to partner with him, and his church, in sharing the new life of the gospel. Every day, we are privileged to choose to love others as Christ first loved us, to invest in those in our areas of influence.
We greatly appreciate your faithfulness in prayer and thanksgiving. God’s Word calls us to bless others, especially, widows, orphans, and the poor. Pray for peace and leadership of all nations, especially Israel, the Middle East, Ukraine and Russia. Seek the power of God’s Holy Spirit! Adore God, ask for God’s saving mercy, give thanks and make supplication – for God’s kingdom, others and our own needs in ministry. Seek and serve the least, lost, and lonely; offering them Jesus Christ! Pray and practice the love and mercy of God! Blessing, honor, and praise, be to God over all!
In Jesus, Pastor Paul