One Small Seed Newsletter – Edition #236, November 2020
Thanksgiving Greetings:
In life’s turbulent moments, when the ebb and flow of doom and gloom threaten to consume us, we strive to muster enough positive energy to declare: This too will pass. As politicians predict a long, dark winter, I choose to turn off the bad news and turn on the lights. Shifting our focus from glorifying sin to praising God for His blessings reveals a world that is far brighter. Reducing complaints about our problems while increasing gratitude brings a deeper sense of peace. I also find great value in drawing upon the wisdom of those with greater insight than myself.
Relying on His promises for peace
Psalms 37:1-9:
- (1) Fret not thyself because of evil doers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
- (2) For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
- (3) Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed
- (4) Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
- (5) Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
- (6) And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
- (7) Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
- (8) Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
- (9) For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands… Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good. (Psalms 100:1, 4-5)
Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men. (Psalms 107:8)
In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
The fleeting nature of adversity
Speaking from my heart: I am thankful for life that is renewed every morning when I’m awakened from an eight hour sleep. It seems to be a different experience with a different feeling every morning, but being alive speaks for itself. We seem to take too many things for granted and we seem to ignore the obvious. Because of a propensity to be gullible we humans seem to assume too many things, especially when it comes to longevity and health. With no guarantees from the beginning, how can we assume anything in the process when there are no hard fast rules and no absolutes to support the rules we have?
I have a conclusion to the whole matter, which comes from Solomon in Ecclesiastes 12 vs. 8, 12-14. (8) “Vanities of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity. (12) And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. (13) Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. (14) For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil”.
In other words, just be thankful to God for His bounty. God bless and Happy Thanksgiving.
Your friend in Christ,
Rodney Roberts