A message from the series “Daily Devotional Videos.” Raquel reflects on Psalm 100:4 and reminds us that thanksgiving and gratitude ought to be a lifestyle for the follower of Jesus Christ, and not just something that we think about on the fourth Thursday of each November.
A message from the series “Daily Devotional Videos.” Devotional Manuscript: Thanking God For What We Don’t Yet HaveMessage By Dr Rick Mandl, November 24, 2020Recorded in Los Angeles, CA.
This Thanksgiving week, I’ve been focusing on God’s command to “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV). We know from experience that the harder our circumstances, the harder “giving thanks” can be. Usually when we think of “giving thanks” we associate that with what has provided for us in the past, or what he’s given us that we have right now. Today I want to challenge you to thank God for the future in the present. What do I mean by that? John 6 tells the story of a familiar miracle. It’s the story of Jesus’ feeding of the five thousand. Many of us are familiar with the boy who had “five barley loaves and two fish” (v. 9) and the fact that Jesus “distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted” (v. 11).
There are however two elements of this miracle that are often overlooked. One is the fact that our Lord didn’t just feed the crowd, but in fact, provided them with “as much as they wanted.” This was a rare feast for a group of hungry people, and one I’m sure they wouldn’t forget. The other thing that’s easy to miss in this story is what our Lord did before he distributed this feast: John 6:11 tells us that . . . “Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them” (v. 11). What’s significant in this is that He gave thanks to God for what he had not yet received from God. After Jesus thanked God for what he did not yet have, it was then received what his Father chose to give.
You and I have a gracious heavenly father who delights in blessing His children with good things. It was with that realization in mind that Jesus encourages us to go to him in prayer. . . In Matthew 7 he said it this way. . . “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:7-11 NIV)
Our heavenly Father is a good, good father, who loves to give good gifts… I wonder how many of his good gifts, we have not because we ask not. His gift may come in a moment. It may come in years to come. It may come in ways you recognize or it may come in ways you do not. But it will come. Someone once observed . . . “Sometimes God calms the storm, but sometimes God lets the storm rage and calms his child.” One way God answers present prayers for future blessings is by giving us what we ask. Another way is by giving us something better than what we ask.
I love what Pastor Tim Keller said about prayer. . . “God will either give us what we ask or give us what we would have asked if we knew everything he knows.” To make Thanksgiving not just a holiday but a lifestyle, let’s follow the example of our Lord. Let’s thank him for what we have and for what we do not yet have. And let’s trust him for his best, whatever that may be.
Recorded in Los Angeles, CA.
A message from the series “Daily Devotional Videos.” Reflecting on Psalm 34:17-19, Judy Mandl reminds us of what God’s Word actually promises for those who walk with Him.
A message from the series “Daily Devotional Videos.” Devotional Manuscript: What’s Your Favorite Holiday?Message By Dr Rick Mandl, November 23, 2020Recorded in Los Angeles, CA.
Hey church family, What is your favorite holiday? According to all the surveys, Christmas is America’s number one choice. And certainly it’s a wonderful thing to celebrate the birth of our Lord. It’s something we should do so every day. But Thanksgiving is the one American observance which is specifically mandated by Scripture: A verse that I keep coming back to is . . . “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). In other words Thanksgiving is the will of God.
Sadly for many Americans, Thursday’s holiday will be more about food, football and shopping than gratitude for God’s favor. Why? Because many of us feel like everything we have is something that we’ve worked for, and something we deserve. It’s hard to thank someone else for work we did ourselves. But think about that for a moment. Did you deserve your physical health and capabilities? The Apostle Paul, writing to the church at Corinth asks the question, “What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?” (1 Corinthians 4:7).
I pray that this Thanksgiving, whether it’s a time for you of abundance, or a time of lack, we’d be able to adopt the attitude of God’s servant Job, who was a man who knew what it was to experience tremendous blessing, and also knew what it was to experience tremendous loss, and yet he realized that his changing circumstances shouldn’t change his decision to praise God.
In Job 1:21 Job said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” My prayer for you and me is that that would be our attitude as well.
Recorded in Los Angeles, CA.
A message from the series “Daily Devotional Videos.” Judy Mandl reflects on Psalm 136 and reminds us that you don’t have to make God a turkey, but there are benefits in taking the time to thank Him specifically, as opposed to generally for the great things He has done.
A message from the series “Stand Alone Sermon.”
A message from the series “Daily Devotional Videos.” Devotional Manuscript: Being Grateful Or Giving ThanksMessage By Dr Rick Mandl, November 20, 2020Recorded in Los Angeles, CA.
Hey church family… As we move closer to Thanksgiving, I want to focus on God’s command to “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). What I want to challenge you to think specifically about today, is that this command is a command to “give thanks,” not just to “be grateful.”
What’s the difference between “Giving Thanks” and “Being grateful?” Well, the former is an action, the latter an attitude. Pastor Tim Keller made the observation that – “It’s one thing to be grateful. It’s another to give thanks. Gratitude is what you feel. Thanksgiving is what you do.” Giving thanks is a positive commitment on our part. It is a choice that becomes an act. And when we give thanks, others notice.
Billy Graham who has shared Jesus with more people than anyone in Christian history knew a thing or two about evangelism. And Dr. Graham noted that “a spirit of thankfulness is one of the most distinctive marks of a Christian, whose heart is attuned to the Lord.” Because giving thanks is such a powerful witness to others, Dr. Graham encouraged us to “thank God in the midst of trials and every persecution.”
I don’t have to tell you that we’re living in tough times. And in light of the chaotic, conflicted nature of today’s culture, you’re probably not surprised that the Oxford Dictionary recently chose “toxic” was chosen as its Word of the Year. You can be saddened by that, or you can realize that the darker the room, the more powerful the light. Today I want to repeat that challenge that God’s Word gives to us which is to “give thanks in all circumstances” . . . and that includes the very difficult circumstances that we’re facing right now.
I like what Pastor Rick Warren said about this . . . He said. . . In HAPPY moments, PRAISE God. In DIFFICULT moments, SEEK God. In QUIET moments, WORSHIP God. In PAINFUL moments, TRUST God. EVERY moment, THANK God.” Let’s do that – – – starting today. And let’s continue it tomorrow and the day after and the day after.
And speaking of the day after tomorrow. I want to invite you to join us for our Parking Lot Worship Gathering, the day after tomorrow, this Sunday, November 22nd at 4:30 in the ERBC parking lot. We spent some extra time this weekend in conversation with representatives from our county to make sure that we can hold this gathering and that we can hold it safely. So, we’re asking all of you who will be joining us to wear Face-coverings throughout our time together, and to practice social-distancing, so as to keep everyone safe. Hope to see you this Sunday at 4:30.
Recorded in Los Angeles, CA.
A message from the series “Daily Devotional Videos.” Judy Mandl looks at Jesus encounter with a Samaritan woman at a well in John 4 and asks us to consider whether we’re acting as bridges or roadblocks for others to come to Christ.
A message from the series “Daily Devotional Videos.” Devotional Manuscript: Thanking God For What We Don’t Yet HaveMessage By Dr Rick Mandl, November 19 , 2020Recorded in Los Angeles, CA.
Hey church family, we’re one week away from Thanksgiving, which I know will be more challenging this year for many people in light of the year that we’ve been through. And when I say that “Thanksgiving will be more challenging,” I’m not talking about the challenges of planning a Thanksgiving gathering in the age of social distancing, although that will be challenging, but what I’m talking about is the challenge of “giving thanks” during difficult times.
When you think about it you’ll realize that Thanksgiving is the only American holiday commanded by Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV) tells us that we are to . . . “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” The folk who study language tell us that that instruction to “Give thanks” is a present tense imperative, which means it’s a command that ought to be obeyed continually, not just one day a year.
Ever wonder why for so many people, Thanksgiving is more of a “food-and-football holiday” than a time to pause and offer our thanks to God? One reason is that it’s difficult to be grateful to God when we feel as though He’s let us down. For some of you this the Coronavirus, has totally upended your typically Thanksgiving plans. I’ve spoken with several in our church who typically travel over Thanksgiving, yet won’t be travelling this year. Others will be gathering around tables this year, without loved ones with whom they’ve spent every Thanksgiving in the past. I wonder, how is your life different from what you wish it were today?
When we feel as though God disappoints us, it’s human nature to want to punish him with our disregard. But as someone once said. . . “Such rejection of the Great Physician hurts the patient more than the Doctor.” When I want to be thankful the least is usually when I need to be thankful the most. Why? Because gratitude puts us in a position to receive all that grace that God desires to give us. When we are thankful for all God has done for us, it enables us to see the things that He has done, and the things that He has not done in a different light. It reminds us that He never makes a mistake, and that he says “no” only when it is better for us than “yes.”
George Matheson was a man who was born to privilege in 1842. He attended the University of Glasgow where he graduated first in his class. Then, in his twentieth year of life, he became totally blind. Despite his blindness George Matheson followed God’s call to ministry. Matheson pastored some of Scotland’s finest and largest churches. He wrote books of philosophical theology which are still read and cited today. He was theologian to Queen Victoria, received numerous honorary doctorates, filled the most prestigious lectureships in the land, and was a fellow of the Royal Society. This prayer by George Matheson provides a different perspective on Thanksgiving
Matheson writes: My God, I have never thanked thee for my thorn. I have thanked thee a thousand times for my roses, but never once for my thorn. Teach me the glory of my cross, teach me the value of my thorn. Show me that I have climbed to thee by the path of my pain. Show me that my tears have made my rainbows.
Annie Dillard once observed. . . “You do not have to sit outside in the dark. If, however, you want to look at the stars, you will find that darkness is required.”
Church family, If you’re going through a dark time as we approach thanksgiving, and I know many are, I pray that you’ll ask God to use that darkness as something that will enable you to see His light.
And speaking of the “light of God” I want to invite you to join us for our Parking Lot Worship Gathering, this Sunday, November 22nd at 4:30 in the ERBC parking lot. Face-coverings are required for this service, and we will be practicing social-distancing, so as to keep everyone safe. And just for the record . . . What we’re doing this Sunday afternoon is a “Worship Gathering” not a “Social Gathering” Why is that important? It’s important because our county has asked us to limit outdoor “Outdoor Social Gatherings” to no more than 15 people. But when it comes to “Outdoor Worship Gatherings” they are simply asking that we gather safely and we’re committed to doing that. So bring along your camp chair or tailgate, and we’ll look forward to seeing you this Sunday at 4:30.
Recorded in Los Angeles, CA.
A message from the series “Daily Devotional Videos.” Raquel Blanchard reflects on John 15:5 and reminds us of what it means to live by the Holy Spirit’s power.
