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 “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 “Stand Alone Sermon.”
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: 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.” Raquel Blanchard reflects on John 15:5 and reminds us of what it means to live by the Holy Spirit’s power.
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.” Two words that we don’t often think of as going together are ‘prayer’ and ‘danger.’ Judy Mandl reflects on Ephesians 3:20-21 and cautions us regarding an all too common practice that can have the unintended consequence of limiting the effectiveness of our prayers.
A message from the series “Daily Devotional Videos.” As we approach a Thanksgiving which for many will be different from any we’ve ever celebrated before, Pastor Andrew reflects on Philippians 3:9 and reminds us of several things for which we can give thanks that have not changed.
A message from the series “Daily Devotional Videos.” Devotional Manuscript: What Is God Looking For?Message By Dr Rick Mandl, November 17, 2020Recorded in Los Angeles, CA.
Hey church family. I was thinking recently of how differently God sees things than you and I do. Case in point would be King David. David is the only person in all of Scripture who is described as being “a man after [God’s] own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14). What makes this description so puzzling is that we know David’s story: We know that he committed adultery with Bathsheba; We know that he got her husband drunk, killed him off, and did a lot of other things against the Lord. Yet God said of David, “He’s a man after My own heart.” This certainly doesn’t mean David was perfect, because when know he was far from it. And yet it’s as though God was saying, “I know David’s sin, but I see within him the potential to be something more than that.”
What does it mean to be a man or a woman after God’s own heart? It means your life is in harmony with the Lord. It means that what is important to Him is important to you. What burdens Him burdens you. It means that when He says, “Go to the right,” you go to the right. When He says, “Stop that in your life,” you stop it. When He says, “This is wrong and I want you to change,” you come to terms with it. Why? It’s because you have a heart for God.
God’s not looking for perfect people, because there aren’t any. He does however continue to search for those whose hearts are committed to him. 2 Chronicles 16:9 says it this way, “The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”
As God continues that search, I want to challenge you to remember something. Remember that God isn’t like man. He doesn’t see like man sees. In His words he tells us, “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). God looked at David—even with all his flaws—and He saw his potential, and He chose him. I pray that you would Let that great truth encourage you today as you walk with the Lord. Amen.
Recorded in Los Angeles, CA.
