Are you Gathering? In His Word 11-21-16
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ. I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God
which was given to you by Christ Jesus, that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and
all knowledge, even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the
revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in
the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by
whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.1
Corinthians 1:3-9
T’is the season to gather
together in His name and be thankful for all things! Or is it?
We are to gather together
in our tradition in the United
States China North America
take for grated God’ goodness often I think. We have accessed resources that allow
us to read the Bible in many languages and translations; not every place in the
world can do this. In our country this is a week of gathering together with
family and friends. It used to be just one day but now the schools let out for
the week and many work places take time off for family this week. This is
something to be grateful for, don’t you think?
I know it means a lot more
work and planning for many of us who have friends or family coming to town to
share the feast of giving thanks but I for one think it is worth it to have the
fellowship with other people and encourage one another to find one thing to be
thankful for.
And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you,
and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be
at peace among yourselves. Now we
exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted,
uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue
what is good both for yourselves and for all. Rejoice
always, 17 pray
without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ
Jesus for you. Do not
quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all
things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. 1Thessalonians 5:12-22
Unfortunately gathering
together as family is not always a joyful time sometimes we forget to be
thankful that we have one another. There are many people out there without one
or both parents, without siblings and basically all alone for the Holidays. We
should be thankful that we have family and look to invite those to join in with
us who do not have anyone to be thankful for; we can become their reason to be
thankful! Not just for the one day but always; we should give thanks with a
grateful heart for we have life and we have a purpose. I know a lot of people out
there will think of the things to be thankful only one day of the year and then
grumble and complain the rest because its not the day of thanks.
Some things to remember as
you gather together with family or friends are;
1- Do not argue over what
is right to eat and what is not; give thanks that you have the choice!
In the same way, some think one day is more holy
than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be
fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable. Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor him.
Those who eat any kind of food do so to honor the Lord, since they give thanks
to God before eating. And those who refuse to eat certain foods also want to
please the Lord and give thanks to God. 7 For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves. Romans 14:5-7
2-Be kind to one another tenderhearted treating
one another as we would like to be treated.
Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh
words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,
just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:31-32
3- Show love for one another; even if you don’t
feel like it play a game of chess, or apples to apples and just have fun!
If you do those three things when you gather
together there will be no way to not find at least one reason to be thankful
and grateful. You may just enjoy yourself this year!
“I
also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you
ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my
followers, I am there among them.” Matthew18:19-21
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for all that You
do for us each day. Bless those with which we will gather this week and help us
to bring You into the gathering, in Jesus name, amen.
Read some more in; Matthew 18:1-21, Ephesians
4:1-32,
1 Thessalonians 5:1-28 Romans 14:1-23 1 Corinthians 1:1-31