Thanksgiving: A Reminder to Rejoice in the Lord Always

Reading the news headlines each day can easily raise a person’s blood pressure.  We live in a society of high anxiety, worry and unknowns.  We ultimately do not know what tomorrow brings and can easily focus on the worries and unknowns in our lives.  November is a time when the Liturgical year, also known as church year, is coming to an end and across the country people celebrate “Thanksgiving.”  Think of all the ends you encounter—ends of sports seasons, ends of visits with friends, ends of life; people are often full of gratitude and thankfulness for the people who have impacted their lives.  Usually when something is nearing the end we find our hearts pouring out in gratitude, so the fact that the church year ends at the time of Thanksgiving is quite natural.  Ultimately, the church year is ending and we take time to remember all that we are thankful for.  What if humanity embodied a life of “Giving Thanks” all year long instead of at the end of something?  God calls us to rejoice and give thanks all year long. 

In the book of Philippians, Paul reminds us to rejoice in the Lord and give thanks, no matter what.  We must remember that Paul wrote this from prison—which I am sure was not a pleasant place.  Growing up as a child in the church, we would sing a little song in Sunday school, “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say Rejoice! (repeat).”  As a child this song became a familiar tune to sing over and over and if we were lucky, we would sing special music in church.  As an adult, this song is something to be modeled to all those around us, if children and youth are to learn what “rejoicing in the Lord always” means, adults must live this, not some days, but each and every day.  This catchy children’s song is not just something to sing but a life to live.

“⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7

May you find the strength to reflect the light of Christ into all parts of this world—may you rejoice in the Lord, not just sometimes, but all the time.  We are not called to only be thankful and offer gratitude when something is nearing the end, but we are called to rejoice and be thankful always.  May this Scripture be true to your life and part of who you are—as you are a child of God.  For God calls you to rejoice in both the joys and challenges of life.

PONDER THIS
How does your family celebrate Thanksgiving?  What are you thankful for? 

Do you find yourself thankful for joys and challenges?  Why or why not?

What does it mean to “rejoice in the Lord always”? 

Re-read Philippians 4:4-7 (and highlight in your Bible)—how does this call us to live in this world? 

PRAYER-Based on Psalm 100 by Noel Kahl

God of Life,
We come before you to shout for joy in this place you have called us to be.  We come to worship you with cheerful hearts—singing songs of praise throughout the joys and challenges we face.  We know that you are God—you created us and we are your people.  We come in your presence with thankfulness and praise.  You are the Lord and your love and faithfulness endure forever.  Give us the strength to reflect your light in this world.  We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen

Reformation Day--By the Grace of God it is more than a Quirky Holiday

There are many quirky holidays celebrated in the United States and I just dream that more Christian communities would consider celebrating the Reformation—or at least recognizing it and acknowledge the historic change that occurred for the Church in general.  After the reformation movement God’s grace was prominent more than ever—indulgences went by the wayside and grace was emphasized.  There is a lot more history and details about the reformation, I recommend reading more about this to further understand the Reformation of the Church almost 500 years ago.

Reformation Day—The Lutheran Church celebrates ‘Reformation Sunday’ every year at the end of October.  The Reformation is not just about being Lutheran, the reformation is about the Church being REFORMED—and transformed.  What if the reformation never happened—I wonder where the church would be today.  Today the church continues to be reformed—this is commonly talked about, how is the church being reformed?  How is Christ transforming the world through people? 

As disciple of Christ we are called to go therefore and make disciples of all nations—how is the church living out this call that comes from God alone?  We—have an opportunity to be part of the Church (whatever denomination) to reform the Church, Christian community and be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit.  May we all take time to remember the reformation and acknowledge the grace that was recognized and by that grace alone we are saved.

A READING FROM ROMANS 3:22-28

²²….the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, ²³since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; ²⁴they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, ²⁵whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed;²⁶it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus. ²⁷Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded. By what law? By that of works? No, but by the law of faith. ²⁸For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law.

PONDER THIS

What does this text from Romans 3:22-28 remind Christians?  What does it mean to be ‘justified by faith apart from works?’

Do you think the Church is being reformed today?  Why or why not?

What is your understanding of God’s grace? 

How have you shared God’s grace or how has someone shared God’s grace with you?

How have you experienced God’s grace in your life?

 PRAYER

Dear Lord,

Thank you for this day, we rejoice and are glad in it.  We celebrate the reformation and transformation of the Church that happened 500 years ago—we celebrate the continued transformation of the Church today.  Open our hearts, minds and souls to be transformed by you---may you give us the strength and desire to share your grace with our neighbors in this world.  Amen.