TEN DAYS OF THANKSGIVING ~  Day 6
The Apostle Paul was an example of being thankful.  Many of his letters to the churches begins with "We always thank God, the Father...when we pray for you..." (Colossians 1:2) and other similar greetings.  Paul expressed his joy and gratefulness for their faith and their partnership in the gospel (Philippians 1:3-5).
On a personal level, Paul was also able to give thanks for his lot in life.  As a Pharisee and a Roman citizen, he had been fairly well off financially.  His social standing and economic status were very respectable.  But when he encountered Christ on the Road to Damascus, his life and financial circumstance changed dramatically!
In Philippians 4:11 & 12, Paul shared his "attitude of gratitude" to the believers in Philippi.
"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content....I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need."  Paul's secret to his life on the road spreading the gospel was "to be content".
A couple verses later, Paul acknowledges the support of the Philippian church for his ministry.  "Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble"  (verse 14).  He explains the relationship these believers have had with him in the past, "no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only" (verse 15b).  He is careful not to emphasis the gifts, but the blessing on the giver by the Lord.
In the next month, Walter and I are visiting various churches who have partnered with us and our ministry of Healing Hearts.  We will give reports of the ministry.  We will share praise items and also some of the burdens and areas that we would appreciate prayer.  And we will take the opportunity to "give thanks" for their financial support that enables us to serve in the ministry full time.
Are there any words that capture how we feel, as recipients of such generosity and kindness?  I know for Walter especially as man and provider for our family, it is humbling to have others supply our monthly income, to know the sacrifice of so many who give to the work of the Lord.  But it is about "partnership" and God ordains that many missions are established by faith and gifts of the "giver and the goer".  His Kingdom works that way so no one but Himself can receive the glory!
God has shown us how to live in plenty and how to trust in seasons of need.  Our children also have witnessed how in those times of want, we have prayed and God has provided, often miraculously!  This life as faith missionaries has been rich for us and I wouldn't trade the experiences for anything.
For those who are reading this blog, who have been supporters of Walter and myself and our family over the years, THANK YOU!  May God "supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus" (verse 19).

Day 6 - How has God taught you the "secret" to being content as a part of thankfulness?

TEN DAY OF THANKSGIVING ~ Day 5
Recently I have been reading from the English Standard Version, a change from the NIV that I have used for study and devotion for the past 30 years.  The new wording gives me a fresh perspective on familiar passages.
But one thing I noticed in both versions of the Bible is that Psalm 100 has the subtitle "A Psalm for Giving Thanks".  The purpose of the psalmist was specifically to use for offering a tribute of thankfulness to the Lord.  Just what I've been focused on these past days before our Canadian statutory holiday!  So let's unpack Psalm 100...
"Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!"
Coming before God in worship is to be a joyful experience!  Be noisy!  Be exuberant! The invitation is to "all the earth".  The Lord is to be worshiped by all His creation.
"Serve the Lord with gladness!  Come into His presence with singing!"
Coming before God in worship is an act of serving.  I always thought of service as "work", doing something practical or profitable somehow.  But we are serving, obeying, being purposeful in spending time in worship of the Most High.
What is our attitude to be?  "..with gladness and singing!"  It seems this psalmist was setting forth a spirit of excitement not a spirit of dread or solemn duty.
"Know that the Lord, He is God!  It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture."
Coming before God in worship is all about relationship.  He is God.  No mistaking who our Father and Maker and Lord is!  And we are in relationship by virtue of our adoption into His family through faith in the blood of Jesus Christ.  We belong.  His love and care extends to us as sheep in His safe pasture.  We are worshiping Someone we know and are getting to know more and more.
"Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise!"
We lose the powerful image of the worshipers entering the Temple in Jerusalem as we cruise up to our churches in our vehicles and rush in.  Those who came into the courts of God did enter literal gates on foot and as the crowds of people arrived, a growing buzz must have grown in anticipation.  I'm sure they must have had their challenges and obstacles to worship;  I don't want to idealize the Old Testament worship experience...but I want to stand where the psalmist stood to picture the people of God coming to offer God praise.  They were able to take time to prepare and to greet one another and let the joy and gladness stir up among each other.
"Give thanks to Him; bless His name!"
Here is the climax of the psalm-the verse where the readers can "give thanks" to the Lord and offer their sacrifice of praise.  We are not told to count our blessings or itemize the things God has done. This isn't just a mental exercise.  We are exhorted to give Him thanks and bless His name. From our hearts in response to Him.

Just because...
"For the Lord is good; His steadfast love endures forever, and His faithfulness to all generations."
Why give thanks then?  Because He is good.  His love is steadfast.  He is faithful to all generations.  He is awesome and wonderful and deserves our hearts' expressions of gratitude just because of who He is!
Day 5-What has this psalm for giving thanks taught you about thanksgiving?

I opened the blinds of our bedroom window.  Early morning sunlight streamed in and bathed our room in warmth and brilliance.
Isn't it easy to be thankful when the sun is shining and life is good?
Later on in my day, I strolled down the sidewalk of our street, through rustling leaves and pleasant fall breezes.  As I put the key into our mailbox and opened the small door, I reached in to grab a handful of flyers and a couple letters for fundraisers.  Kind of disappointing to receive junk mail.   Then my eye caught the white envelope and actual handwritten address on the front.  A personal letter?  I quickened my pace back to the house so I could open the mail.  After sorting through and disposing of the unwanted stuff, I sat down to savour real mail, carefully opening the seal and drawing out a nice card.  Inside was a note of appreciation and encouragement for Walter and me.  And out dropped a neatly folded cheque, "to take a holiday or pay a bill", just for us!
Isn't it easy to be thankful when the mail brings good news?
Tonight we have been invited out for supper by friends from out of town.  I look forward to not cooking, but also to dressing up a bit and being on the receiving end of friendship and blessing.  This is something special, a treat, and I plan on enjoying the night out.
Isn't it easy to be thankful when friends want to spend time with us?

Job 1:21b is a verse that is often quoted when life is hard and unfair.  Job had been blessed of the Lord and had a family and prosperity.  He worshiped God and made sacrifice for his family.  And then when tragedy struck, he lost it all.  We read this verse in the context of loss and grief and suffering.  We learn to give thanks even when God takes away?
But today, I read the second half of verse 21 and can genuinely say that the Lord has given to me.   I am blessed; I am provided for beyond my needs and wants.  I will not take for granted the good gifts I have received this day.
"The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."
I will take time today - NOW - to say thank You to my Father God for the sunshine, the generous gift and the evening out with friends.
Day 4 ~ Can you count your blessings today?

TEN DAYS OF THANKSGIVING ~  Day 3
I don't want to be like the other nine.
There were ten men suffering from the horrific skin disease known in the Bible as leprosy.
According to Luke, the gospel writer who was a physician and would therefore be deeply interested in the accounts of Jesus' healing ministry, these ten men approached Jesus as He passed through a particular village.  They kept their prescribed distance as they were "unclean", but they called out to Jesus.  "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." (Luke 17:13)
When He saw them, He responded by telling the men to go show themselves to the priests.  This was a normal practice and I am sure they had done this before.  Without argument or hesitation, the lepers turned to go and "as they went they were cleansed" (verse 14b).
Here is the point of this true story:  only one of the men came back to give thanks.
Isn't that tragic?
Jesus noticed.
His healing gift restored to each one of the ten men their social standing, their opportunity to earn a living, their return to their homes and families in addition to physical health.  They were made clean and whole again.  Jesus had given back to them their very lives.
And only one man "turned back, praised God with a loud voice and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving Him thanks..." (verse 15 & 16).
Out of sheer joy and relief and humility, the one leper came back to acknowledge the Healer.
"Where are the other nine?"
Jesus noticed the absence of the nine other healthy men and also noted that the one who gave thanks was  a foreigner, a Samaritan.  Hmmm...  Assuming the other nine were Israelites, would they not be the first ones to thank God and recognize His Servant, Jesus?
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Lord Jesus, THANK YOU for all You have done for me!  I have been saved, called, adopted, healed, restored, blessed, favoured by Your gracious and loving kindness.  I have so much more than I ever dreamed and have received more than I could never earn or deserve!
Forgive me for any ungratefulness, whether through my forgetfulness or my selfish focus.  I want to be like the one former leper, who instantly and immediately knew he had been touched and blessed, and fell at Your feet in pure praise!
"O, You've done so much for me that I cannot tell it all,
I cannot tell it all, no I cannot tell it all!
O, You've done so much for me that I cannot tell it all;
You have taken all my sins away!
Praise God!  Praise God!  Praise God!  Praise God!" ~ author unknown

Day 3 ~ What have we neglected to be grateful for, to God first and foremost?  Is there anyone in our lives we need to express appreciation to who has done big or little kindnesses for us?

TEN DAYS OF THANKSGIVING~Day 2

Today Walter and I drove out to Jacob Bear Church, a little gathering of believers from the First Nations communities in the Qu'Appelle Valley east of Regina.  The sky was gray.  The drive took longer than we thought.  I could feel some tension as we realized we would be a bit late and didn't want to be disrespectful to the folks there.  As we turned off the Trans-Canada, we knew we wouldn't make up time on the narrow secondary road.  A half-ton pulled out in front of us and kept a very moderate pace ahead of us, dodging potholes and puddles.  

We then turned onto the grid road leading to the Jacob Bear church and slowed down even more as it became slick with the morning's rain.  Then we turned carefully into the parking lot, all mud and a slight smattering of gravel.  Several muddy vehicles lined up next to the little country church and we made our way into the building.

A steady guitar strum greeted us as we slid quietly into a wooden pew in the brightly lit sanctuary.  About a dozen worshipers sat scattered in the rows, singing quietly to the old gospel chorus.  A few nodded and smiled at us as we made our entrance.

The worship service was simple.  With the regular pastor and his wife away to visit family and friends in the United States, various members of the small congregation took turns leading the music, making announcements and sharing a message.  To many church-goers, the lack of formality would have been a distraction and a cause for criticism.  Was this really "church"?

But to Walter and myself, after spending 26+ years in First Nations church-planting ministry, this was the most genuine and heartfelt worship service we could experience!

On this Lord's day, I am thankful for God's faithful followers continuing to meet in spite of rain, mud and no pastor.  

I am thankful for the simplicity of praise, prayer, the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus working in lives.

I am thankful for God stirring in a tiny body of believers, who long for their family and others to know the peace and joy they know in Christ.

I am thankful for the warm fellowship we were shown and the prayers offered when I shared a prayer request.

"Give thanks in all circumstances..." I Thessalonians 5:18

What could have been a dreary day with pressure to be perfect and perform as the "missionaries", turned out to be a day full of joy and many reasons to be thankful!

Day 2~ What can you give thanks for in your circumstances today?

TEN DAYS OF THANKSGIVING ~ by Cindy M. Selke
I finished reading a devotional book called "31 Days of Praise" that has inspired me to write on a very related and inter-connected topic:  Thanksgiving.  As this coming week unfolds leading up to our Canadian Thanksgiving celebration, my inspiration will be poured into blogging what God helps me discover through His Word.  I hope God brings you, dear Reader, along on this journey of discovery, as well.
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Genesis 4:3 & 4 "In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions.  And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering..."
Parents often teach their children the polite terms "please" and "thank you" in Vocabulary 101. Initially it is an instruction for proper social behaviour.
As we get older, one of our first responses to receiving something is to give back.  An offering.  An action to show gratitude for the thing given.
So whether from a natural heart attitude or a family's teaching, we learn to "give thanks" at a very early age.  We learn to say it verbally, and later to give in return.
The first biblical account of thanksgiving is the story of Cain and Abel.  Although tragic in its outcome for the brothers, this is what I see in the passage for us today.
Thanksgiving is about "giving".  Without going into the theology behind why Cain's offering was rejected and Abel's was accepted by the Lord God, I see they both gave something.  They gave out of what God had provided for them.  Cain offered from his crops; Abel offered from his flocks.
In Psalm 136 the writer expresses thankfulness for twenty-six verses!
"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever."
Expressing thanks to the Lord is both an action and an attitude, as well.  Knowing what I know about my Lord, He desires the heart of thanksgiving first and foremost, and longs for us to give back to Him and to others out of a heart of appreciation and generosity and love.  Not out of duty or obligation, nor out of guilt or manipulation.
I knew someone who, as a teenager and brand new Christian, saw an advertisement for child sponsorship in a third world country.  Moved by the need, he gave. It cost most of his allowance.  Not consciously thinking the action through, it was purely a response to Jesus having touched his life and giving him so much. His gratitude took the form of a physical and emotional offering.

Day 1 ~ What am I "giving" this Thanksgiving?  What can I offer to the Lord?

Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ. 
 It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.  
And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God,
 who loved me and gave Himself for me."

Life has given many of us some extremely challenging circumstances.
After surviving our childhoods, here we are...adults!  And many of the coping strategies we have employed to make it this far are maybe not so appropriate anymore.

"I have been crucified with Christ."
In the summer of 1981, I put my faith in Jesus as my Saviour.  I accepted His gift to save me and I changed.  Did I really understand what being crucified with Christ meant?  Not fully.  But as I learned more about Him and studied His Word, it became obvious that I had some growing up to do!  My life was not my own;  I was learning how to pray and seek His will.  I stumbled along and He was faithful to give me direction even when I had so little understanding and experience.  Jesus has been so good to me!
"It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me."
If only I could have grasped this, I may have realized the strength I had with Christ living in me.  The emotional reactions I had to being corrected, criticized or openly ridiculed were crushing to me and I had no defenses except to build walls and become self-protecting.  I thought being "tough" would keep pain away.  Then as a Christian, I thought being "nice" was the only option I had when life became hard.  My feelings were often hurt but I didn't know Jesus would bear that for me.
"And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God..."
So here I am in 2015, having walked with Jesus for over 30 years and I am still learning what it means to live by faith.  I am being transformed by the Son of God dwelling in my heart, renewing my mind, re-making me into the real "ME" I was created to be!  I still have the flesh, the body that I was given.  I still have the flesh, the sinful tendencies and weaknesses that I was born with.  But faith makes all the difference.  I am not stuck with the walls, the self-protective defenses I created to survive.  As I trust in Jesus more and more, He teaches me how to work through pain, respond differently to those who hurt me , with grace and forgiveness and often truth that I must speak out with courage.  I have to crucify the old ways of coping in order to allow Christ's ways to work.
"...who loved me and gave Himself for me." 
Today, I stand on the promise of Christ's love for me.  He gave His own life for me.  He took my place on the cross to suffer the punishment for my sins.  So the least I can do is live my life, crucified.  Dead to my sin.  Dead to my selfishness.  Laying it all down for Jesus.  Doing, serving, being what He asks of me.
The least I can do...
I am not my own; I am bought with a price.
I've been purchased with the precious blood of Jesus Christ.
All my sins were paid by His sacrifice -
Hallelujah to the Lamb who redeemed my life.
~author unknown