Articles
Did You Remember To Say 'Thank You'?
Did You Remember To Say 'Thank You'?
By Paul R. Blake
Sound familiar? It does to me. I remember hearing my parents asking me if I remembered to say thank you to those who had given me something or who had done something for me. My folks were right to ask, for often children do forget to express gratitude and need to be taught to do so. Both courtesy and honor demand that we acknowledge the gift and the giver.
Do adults need to be taught to say thank you? Perhaps. I remember the Vietnam War and the impact it had on the church where I grew up. I was only in my early teens when it came to an end, but I do recall hearing brethren pray at every service, “Lord, please bring the Vietnam War to an end so that our boys can come home.” Eventually, our troops withdrew from South Vietnam and returned to the States. For months afterward, I listened for someone at services to say 'Thank you' to God for ending the war, but no one did except for one young man. We forgot to thank God for the very thing we had been asking for ten years.
We ask God to heal the sick. Do we thank Him when they returned to services hale and whole? We ask God to be with those who are undergoing tests for cancer and other serious ailments. Did we thank Him when a good report came back? We ask God to help restore the wayward and fallen. Did we thank Him when they have repented and confessed their sins? How many things have we asked of God? We often ask for safe journeys, for comfort when in sorrow, for protection through the night, for peace in this land, for guidance in great decisions. But how often have we in earnest, humble gratitude said, “Oh Lord, thank you for...” and listed those blessings that we requested earlier?
We have asked God for strength and growth here at Trilacoochee when we lost so many to death, loss of jobs, and the departure of discontented or fallen disciples. Have we thanked the Almighty for giving us the new members who now worship with us adding their strength to ours?
We have pleaded with God to protect us from the immoral plans of various Presidential administrations to limit our religious freedom and to stop their efforts to facilitate further decay in this nation. Have we thanked God that we are still free to worship and serve the Lord? Have we expressed gratitude that many of the common folk still have moral qualities?
We ask God daily to help us to remain faithful. Have we said, “Thank you, Loving Father, for helping us this day. By Thy hand, we are strong in a world of weakness; with Thy power, we will rejoice one day in heaven.” Don't forget to say 'thank you' to God. “Be anxious in nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7).
Thinking about the Bible
“The Bible, as a revelation from God, was not designed to give us all of the information we might desire, nor to solve all of the questions about which humans are perplexed, but to impart enough of Divine wisdom and will to be a safe guide to the haven of eternal rest.” (Albert Barnes)
“The Bible is like a telescope. If a man looks through a telescope, he sees worlds beyond; but, if he merely looks at his telescope, he does not see anything but his telescope. The Bible is that which is to be looked through to see that which is beyond this world.” (Philip Brooks)
“Coming to the Bible through commentaries is much like looking at the landscape through attic windows over which generations of spiders have spun their webs.” (Henry Ward Beecher)
Moving Forward
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matt. 7:13-14).
Whether or not you reach your chosen destination depends on two things: 1) moving forward; 2) keeping on the right path. You cannot stand still on the right path. Neither will it avail to be the swiftest, brightest dog on the wrong race track! The entire book of Hebrews warns that standing still leads to drifting away (Hebrews 2:1). Obviously, if you are on the broad way, it doesn't matter how fast or efficiently you are working, you are headed toward destruction. (From Oscar C. Miles)
“...Yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles” (Matt. 13:21).
A Story of a President
The story is told of President Garfield's first Sunday in Washington after his inauguration. A member of his cabinet insisted that a cabinet meeting must be called at 10:00 a.m. the following day (Sunday) to handle a matter that threatened a national crisis. Garfield refused on the ground of another appointment. The cabinet member then insisted that the national matter was of such grave importance that the President should break his engagement.
Garfield refused. Then the cabinet member remarked, "I should be interested to know with whom you could have an appointment so important that it cannot be broken." Garfield replied, "I will be as frank as you are. My engagement is with the Lord to meet Him at His house and at His table at 10:30 tomorrow, and I shall be there."
He was there. The crisis passed. The nation survived. President Garfield was faithful to his obligations. You may recall that Garfield was a member of the Lord's church. The Lord's statement is still true: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness..." Do you keep your appointments with the Lord? (via 20th Century Christian)
A Moments Wisdom
--A pessimist is someone who feels bad when he feels good for fear he will feel worse when he feels better.
--You cannot buy wisdom outright. You can only get it on the installment plan.
--If you don’t like the fruits of sin, stay out of the orchard.
--Who refuses to discipline his child will later punish himself.
--Tact is the art of jumping into troubled waters without making a splash.
--If a child attends Bible classes regularly, two out of three are converted. If a child does not attend Bible classes regularly, one out of 343 are converted. Are you gambling with the soul of your child? Start regular attendance now! (Contributed)
Upcoming Sermons
3/9/25 AM - “I’ll Stop Procrastinating… Tomorrow”; PM - Fighting Fear and Failure Full Force
3/16/25 AM - Four Men in a Tree; PM - “Like a Stubborn Calf”
3/23/25 AM - Why Did a Loving God Make Me This Way?; PM - Daniel’s Prayer
3/30/25 AM - Guest Speaker: Elijah Dean; PM - Guest Speaker: Doug Sanders
4/6/25 AM - Guest Speaker: Jared Sink; PM - Themed Worship in Song: “If You Love Me, Keep My Commandments”
4/13/25 AM - Titus Davis; PM - Guest Speaker
