Thanksgiving week - part II

Giving thanks! It seems to come so easily when we think of our salvation; we've been set free from sin and death!

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. 18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. (Romans 6:11, 17-18)

We received a call from an old friend recently. Corporate restructuring was taking away his paycheck.  (Our friend is a believer and is trusting God to open the next door for him.)
As human beings, we sometimes believe that we are independent and self-sufficient. We have stress, tired minds, aching backs, and callouses on our hands -- aren't these proof that we are doing it all on our own? That comfortable, warm house, our successful career, or even a newly-cleared fence-line on our land . . . all of those seem to affirm the myth that we are self-sufficient.
But let a job layoff occur, or a financial setback, or a illness that robs us of our strength -- we suddenly drop that pride at the door to our prayer room and fall on our knees before our Father.

Life comes from the Lord, as does His daily help. The fruit of our prayers is His peace, but prayer is not a band-aid or a mantra to repeat. It's a divine gift; it strengthens the bonds of love between us and God; it affirms our dependence upon Him for joy, peace, and mercy.

yet I will rejoice in the Lord,    I will be joyful in God my Savior. (Habakkuk 3:18)

Joy is knowing that death has been overcome by Jesus Christ. We are set free!
Thank you Lord!
Thanksgiving is an awesome time to enjoy the hymns of our faith and really dwell on the lyrics as we praise God and thank Him.
I've always loved this old hymn (never mind the fact that we marched to it at my high school graduation!) for the inspiring words that it contains:

1. God of our fathers, whose almighty hand leads forth in beauty all the starry band of shining worlds in splendor through the skies,
   Our grateful songs before Thy throne arise.
2. Thy love divine hath led us in the past,
   In this free land by Thee our lot is cast;
   Be Thou our ruler, guardian, guide and stay,
   Thy Word our law, Thy paths our chosen way.
3. From war’s alarms, from deadly pestilence,
   Be Thy strong arm our ever sure defense;
   Thy true religion in our hearts increase,
   Thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace.
4. Refresh Thy people on their toilsome way,
   Lead us from night to never-ending day;
   Fill all our lives with love and grace divine,
   And glory, laud, and praise be ever Thine.