As I read the first chapter of the book of Genesis, I am struck by the fact that the entire universe, and planet earth, was silent from all human contribution. No speech, no arguments, no battle cries, no sounds of industrialization, no car horns, and no man made music. Nothing. Just the sounds of nature created by God. 

I can imagine Him as he sits back in His celestial chair and surveys all that He had made. He must have enjoyed His creation because He said that it was good. And everything that He made, from stars in distant galaxies, to a frog in a Louisiana bayou, pleased Him. It was all good. And it was all mane for His man.

I wonder if He’s rested much since, as his finest creation, mankind, has never stopped since. And yet God breathed His own breath into man to finish His creation. The Hebrew word for breath used is in Genesis 2:7 is “neshamah” which means spirit. Some experts have said it also means blood. Imagine this, if in fact the blood and the Spirit of God were breathed into Adam, our great grandfather many generations removed, then our blood and our spirit comes from the same place. God! One day we’ll learn everything about all these mysteries. The Bible says…

“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.“ (Genesis 2:1-3)

 So I read my Bible most every day, and when I finish reading a particular version all the way through I change bibles. For the last few years I’ve been reading it on my Kindle which is programmed into my iPad.  It’s cool because I can copy and paste scripture out of the Bible in my iPad, and paste it right into my article I’m writing on my blog. I’ve been reading the Life Application Study Bible, but I just finished it. My dilemma is what do I read next? 

So I decided on the ESV. That’s the English Standard Version. The intro tells how they made it from different ancient translations etc, which I found very interesting. Today I start with Genesis 1:1. It might take me a year to a year and a half to complete it because I take my time to study and think about what I read. That way there’s no pressure to read a chapter a day or whatever. I take my time and enjoy it. I’ve done different reading programs, like “read in a year some Old Testament and some New Testament, and there are other programs.

One of the most surprising challenges was to read the Bible through in 90 days. The pastor of our very large church at the time, gave the challenge one Sunday morning and most of the church was enthusiastic about doing it. At the end of 90 days there were only 3 or 4 of us who completed it, including the pastor. I used a new King James Bible with no notes to distract me. So I read that through in 90 days. It was wonderful, like a transfusion of the word of God into my brain and my spirit. 

I recommend anyone to try it. Put it on your bucket list. It will Bess and enhance your life. However what’re the version, and however you proceed, read it! A new year…a new challenge.

 There is a friendly debate among historians as to when the first Thanksgiving was celebrated in America. Some say it was in Virginia in 1610, and others hold fast to our traditional first Thanksgiving celebrated in Plymouth Plantation, Massachusetts, in 1621.

Whichever side of the debate one chooses to embrace, the fact remains that Thanksgiving Day is ours.

Before America existed as a nation, the hardy souls who persevered to found this great country made the effort to thank God Almighty for His provision and grace.

Giving thanks in Virginia, Massachusetts, and many other settlements across the new world was a spontaneous act by grateful people. They experienced a life so rugged, that without the providence of God they would have surely not survived. They were grateful for God’s favor and blessing.

Our first President, George Washington, a man acclaimed to be the Father of our Country, acknowledged God as the source of our Nation’s strength and very existence. He felt so strongly about this that he made a proclamation for a national day of thanksgiving on Thursday, November 26th, 1789.

President Abraham Lincoln made it an official national holiday on Thursday, November 26th, 1863. He believed in the importance of setting aside a day to honor God and give thanks individually and corporately as a people.

Thanksgiving day has become a tradition, which like other traditions, has developed, grown, and transitioned from being a simple spiritual act of acknowledging God’s blessings, to a national event of unbridled proportions.

Ball games, shopping, days off from work, and travel are just a few of the Thanksgiving activities that can encumber us and help us to forget the true meaning of the holiday.

This day is meant to be a time to stop, take notice of our blessings, and acknowledge God with a grateful heart. Lest we forget, there have been Thanksgivings in the past that were very trying and somber, days of prayer and fasting.

Today, one could say that we are too busy enjoying our blessings to pause and be thankful. We all share in the responsibility for the national event that Thanksgiving Day has become because it is our day.

I am so thankful to God that He has given us the freedom to worship Him with our thanks. And the blessings that we enjoy over this holiday are truly from Him.

I believe He continues to bless us in part because we do take a day, our day, each year, and as a people tell the whole world that we thank Almighty God for His provident grace.

The Bible says: “Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done.” (1 Chronicles 16:8 NLT)

This Thanksgiving as we share our feast with our loved ones, plan our shopping for Friday, and our Christmas decorating for Saturday, give a nod to our forbearers whose grateful hearts made this all possible.

Enjoy taking part in a celebration uniquely our own, individually and corporately. Pass on to the next generation the knowledge of how blessed we are as individuals, families, and as a people.

Speak of the mighty and wondrous things that the Lord has done, and share our thankful hearts one with another.

“Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power.” (Psalm 145:4 NLT)

The famous author O. Henry wrote, “There is one day that is ours. There is one day when all we Americans who are not self-made go back to the old home to eat biscuits and marvel how much nearer to the porch the old pump looks than it used to. Thanksgiving Day is the one day that is purely American.”

Happy Thanksgiving!

 In 1978 a twenty five year old young man stood in front of a live TV camera in a small town in North Carolina, and encouraged viewers to turn to Christ. There had been testimonies of people who had accepted Christ as their Savior and now the invitation was given. Would anyone respond? There were telephone counselors ready to take the calls. Would anyone call? That really was up to the Holy Spirit to draw them and draw them He did. 

As he gave the invitation he read the following scripture, “The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life.“ (Revelation 22:17)

Yes, anyone means you. So as I approach my 70th birthday, I’ll repeat the invitation that I made on local TV 45 years ago, to the more than 108 countries where this blog is read today…

“The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life.“ (Revelation 22:17)

 Gail was going through turmoil in her life. Her aging mother had a chronic disease, her husband had recently left her for another woman, her oldest boy Jeff was called into the principals office for fighting in school, and she got a notice from the bank that she had three bounced checks. When Gail got up this morning and looked in the mirror wondering how she was going to face another day, she saw a gray hair. 

That was it. Today is thanksgiving and she was anything but thankful. However, like so many people she went through the motions, cooked thanksgiving dinner and prepared for the event. When the meal was ready and everyone was gathered around the table, she finally sat down with a sigh of relief. Time for the prayer. 

Everyone bowed their heads and held hands. A moment before she led the prayer, Gail looked around the table and saw her loved ones waiting. Suddenly all the turmoil was lifted as it dawned on her how blessed she was to be gathered with her kids, her parents, her aunt, and a friend from work. She began to cry, and her son asked her what was the matter. She said, “I just realized how very blessed I am to be here with all of you. I am so thankful to God for His many blessings. In spite of everything I am truly blessed and rejoice in these blessings from God.” It was a great Thanksgiving day.

The Bible says, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (I Thessalonians 5:16-18)

So few are the people, yes even the people of God, who in these last days will look to heaven and pray, “Have thine own way.” These days we want God to conform to our ways, to our will. They say, “ I will serve you Lord, now here’s what I want you to do.” Why are so many prayers unanswered? Simply because we pray in our will, not in the will of God. Now He will bless us, but only within reason and not always will we get an affirmative answer. Sometimes the answer is no. 

The words of this song by Jim Reeves pretty well sums it up.

Have Thine own way Lord
Have Thine own way
Thou art the potter I am the clay
Mold me and make me after Thy will
While I am waiting yielded and still

Have Thine own way Lord
Have Thine own way
Search me and try me Master today
Whiter than snow Lord wash me just now
As in Thy presence humbly I bow

Have Thine own way Lord
Have Thine own way
Hold over my being absolute sway
Filled with Thy spirit till all can see
Christ only always living in me

Click below to see and hear. Think about it.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiu8dPm3dKCAxW7L1kFHWUQBTsQsPgBegQILhAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DegkZLsDG1E0&usg=AOvVaw2t0SALY_uVZGEOXJB-UBKG&opi=89978449

Gary woke up in a cold sweat from a nightmare. In his dream he was standing in line at the grocery store with bread and milk in his hands. When it was his turn to pay, the cashier held a portable scanner over Gary’s right hand. It emitted a loud low buzzing sound. He tried the other hand but got the same result. Then he asked Gary to kindly remove his hat and then held the scanner over his forehead. Same result. That loud low buzzing sound. 

Suddenly two security guards appeared and ushered Gary from the store. They told him that he needed to go to the administrative office to get marked. Then he could come back. Gary thanked them and went on his way. However he didn’t go to the administrative office. He went home to try and figure out how to feed his family. He knew that with receiving the mark he had to pledge allegiance to the so called World Wide Eco System and renounce Christ with a blasphemous oath. The Bible prophesied this as the Beast system. He wouldn’t. He couldn’t. Could you?

The Bible teaches of the coming attraction.

“He required everyone—small and great, rich and poor, free and slave—to be given a mark on the right hand or on the forehead. And no one could buy or sell anything without that mark, which was either the name of the beast or the number representing his name. Wisdom is needed here. Let the one with understanding solve the meaning of the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is 666.” (Revelation 13:16-18)

 Many people, Christians and non- Christians alike, believe that we are living in the last days. Troubles and conflicts in various parts of the world point to it. Let me ask, why do men think that they can rule the world? If any rational thinking person reads the Bible prophesies and half-way believes them, then what is the point? Satan himself thinks he will, but he only has a short time in power such that it is. Jesus is coming. 

I was reading the book of Revelation in the Bible, and it shows two hugely different facts. First, that God loves His children very much and has a glorious future planned for all the believers in His Son Christ Jesus. Secondly, the devil has plans to enslave the world with cruelty unknown to modern man. He’ll take no prisoners. His power and evil ways will wash across the globe in madness like an over flowing sewer.

Read the book of Revelation for yourself. The events are more chilling than any horror novel ever written. Sadly, it’s not fiction, it’s coming. Be ready for the return of Christ to rapture His people home before it’s too late. Be ready.

 So many suffer and die from war. Around the world conflict after conflict continues. In some places God’s people suffer the most. Many are martyred for their faith in Christ. But they have  hope that’s real. They will enter heaven in the realm of Jesus Christ and His Father almighty God. The apostle John wrote what he saw in the Spirit…

“These are the ones who died in the great tribulation. They have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and made them white. “That is why they stand in front of God’s throne and serve him day and night in his Temple. And he who sits on the throne will give them shelter. They will never again be hungry or thirsty; they will never be scorched by the heat of the sun. For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 7:14-17)

So if you are a Christian in danger, know that your Heavenly Father knows, and cares. He will give you strength to bare it, and welcome you home afterward. 

William was a young worship leader trying to do his best in a church unaccustomed to extravagant praise and worship. They were very conservative, formal, and low key. They produced beautiful music but it all seemed too professional, and without a lot of heart. 

One morning while he was preparing for service, he paused and prayed. He confessed to the Lord that he, as well, was holding back his true feeling and exuberance. Then suddenly the Holy Spirit gave him a vision, a glimpse of heaven, and the worship around the throne. William had read about it in the Bible, but never could he imagine what it was really like until that moment. 

Something changed within him and he had a totally new outlook on the praise and worship service. Later that Sunday morning, the service began slow and methodical as usual, then the Spirit hit William, as he led and sang, and he began to dance. He jumped off the stage, into the altar area, and danced like King David going to the Temple. Soon others in the choir couldn’t contain themselves either and joined William off the stage dancing and singing unabashedly before the Lord. Others joined from the congregation and that church would never be the same! 

What William saw in the Spirit was described by the Apostle John in the Bible.

“Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. And they sang in a mighty chorus: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered— to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.”And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang: “Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.” (Revelation 5:11-13)