Some years ago it was pretty common, in the circles in which I lived, to hear someone lamenting the commercialization of Christmas, the celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.  “Why do they have to rob the season of its true meaning?” some would say.  To escape the worldly merriment, many decided to make Thanksgiving their holy day (holiday) of choice.   They supposed that it would be much more difficult for the world to corrupt the theme of “Thanksgiving.”  Unfortunately, they were wrong.  It’s not the emphasis on turkey and dressing, or family and feasting that is troubling, but the fact that most of the world has forgotten the One to whom we owe our debt of gratitude.  You would not have to search very hard to find an article that encourages thanks to family and friends, or dentist and doctor, mailman or maid, with no mention of God, the Giver of every good gift. (James 1:17)

  The Psalms are replete with verses to help us focus on the proper recipient of our praise.   For instance, Psalm 92:1 declares, “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:”  Another very fitting call to thanksgiving is Psalm 105:1, “O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.”  Psalm 106:1 suggests a worthy theme for our gratitude, “Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.”  Nor should our Thanksgiving be limited to times of festivity if you consider Psalm 119:62, “At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.”

  I for one, refuse to surrender yet another day of our national tradition of recognizing God and His wonderful gifts to men.  As a matter of fact I believe I’ll just start celebrating the Lord’s goodness early this year.  “Praise God from whom all blessings flow;  Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost!” Amen!

I watched them tearing a building down,
A crew of men in a busy town,
With a Ho heave Ho and a lusty yell,
They swung a boom and a side wall fell.
I asked the foreman, Are these men skilled,
The kind you would hire if you had to build?
He gave a laugh and said, No indeed,
Just unskilled labor is all I need.
I can easily wreck in a day or two,
What has taken builders years to do.
Then I thought to myself as I went my way,
Which of these roles have I tried to play?
Am I a builder who works with care,
Measuring life by the rule and square,
Or am I a wrecker who walks around,
Content with the labor of tearing down?
Author Unknown

  This little poem reminds me of something our Lord has said: “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. (Matthew 12:30).”

  To which crew do you belong? Perhaps many will see themselves as neither builders nor wreckers. Their lives are filled with cares and ambitions of their own; they don’t have time for God or the things of God. But according to these scriptures, there is no middle ground; if you are not working for the Lord and His cause, you are working against Him.

  Have you noticed that right and wrong have been continually redefined in recent years? Americans have become adherents to relativism, a new paradigm that claims right and wrong can be defined by each individual for himself. As a result, we, as a nation, have succumbed to the sociopolitical ambitions of masses without morals.

  Things that used to be wholesome are now called perverted. e.g. The man and woman who embrace the “traditional family” are considered sexists. At the same time, those who have engaged in sexual perversion would have us believe that their amorality (i.e. without morals) is the new morality. Same sex marriage is now legal and the “next step” has already been postulated: marrying children, animals, or even one’s self. Sexual intercourse outside of marriage is viewed as normal; lying is considered a periodic necessity; smoking marijuana has been deemed an acceptable “recreation,” etc. And America has bought into the lie that anything legal, or even overlooked, must also be deemed right. How foolish we have become. …how Godless.

  Many of us realize that to debate the existence of God is irrational. We know that, “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. (Ps. 14:1).”  We also have discovered that the Bible is unquestionably the Word of God. We understand that God alone defines right and wrong, and that He has much to say about the issues of life:

“For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, (Mark 7:21).”

 “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. (Leviticus 18:22).”

“Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour… (Ephesians 4:25).”

  Did it ever occur to you that nothing ever occurred to God?  Thatʼs right, contrary to a popular false doctrine called Open Theism, God never learns anything, because there is nothing that He does not already know.  The Bible tells us, He “knoweth all things.” (1John 3:20).  We call it omniscience.

  It is also true that God has infinite power, or omnipotence.  He can do “…exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.” (Ephesians 3:20).  Pretty impressive when you consider the extravagant imaginations that we nurture these days.  For proof of His infinite power, look at His magnificent creation.  He designed this infinitely complex place that we call home. 

  Because of His omniscience and omnipotence, God is able to make this promise:“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6).  In light of who He is and what He has promised, would we not do well to commit our lives totally to His care?  But it is not always easy to let go and let God.  We have grown accustomed to being captain of our own fate.  We pride ourselves in being independent and self sufficient.  But how’s that working for you?  …For me, not so well.

  Truth is, we were created to be dependent.  We desperately need what God so lovingly and freely offers.  Interested?  Here are a few suggestions to help you get started.  First, you’ll need to establish a personal relationship with Him.  This was made possible by His Son, Jesus Christ, who died, was buried and rose from the grave to afford forgiveness for those who will put their trust in Him. (John 3:16, 3:36).  It really is that simple!  Surrender to Jesus Christ is the path to true victory.  Let Go! …and Let God!

  Once you establish a relationship with God, get into His Word!  “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105).

  On several occasions I have been confronted with so-called Bible doctrines or promises that sounded radically different from anything that I had ever heard.  Red flags immediately began to fly, and I was drawn back to my old resolve to respond as a good Berean.  The Bereans were known for their insatiable desire for biblical truth.  The Bible says that, “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Acts 17:11).”

  Life is, for all, a search for truth.  Man has an innate desire to know the answer to such questions as:  Where did I come from?  Where am I going?  Why am I here?  Answers abound, but obviously they cannot all be truth.  If ever there was a need to filter the pious thoughts of man through the eternal, inspired scriptures, ’tis now.

  But to understand the Bible as God intended, we MUST follow proper rules of interpretation (i.e. hermeneutical principles).  Quite often I am amazed at ideas proposed as being “supported” by scriptures that are taken totally out of context, or with no consideration of the historical setting, or without regard to the meanings of words or sentence structure.

  My friend, I know that the Bible has the answer to every question pertaining to life and living.  Interpreted in its literal, historical, contextual sense, the eternal truths fit together to form a wonderful view of the “Big Picture,” as it has been revealed by God.  Get in the Book; read large portions at a time;  consider the historical and grammatical context; take the words at face value without trying to spiritualize their meaning.  I’m sure that as you commit yourself to diligent study, God will give you understanding, and you will discover the joy of knowing the God of the Book.  If we can help you in your search for TRUTH, we would be delighted to hear from you.  God Bless!