What would happen if we were not thankful?

by Barbara Latta

The Bible is full of verses telling us to be thankful.

But why is it important to give thanks? What would happen if we didn’t?

• When we aren’t thankful our hearts can become hardened and selfish.

  

  Why do we need to be thankful?

Because although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened (Romans 1:21 NKJV).

• We can become fearful and anxious. Thanksgiving in prayer can keep our minds from anxiety.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let our requests be made known to God and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).

• When we are thankful for what we have received, we are able to give out to others.

While you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God (2 Corinthians 9:11).

• Give thanks just because God deserves it. He is the giver of our life and every good thing we have.

Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. (Psalm 106:10.

Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23).

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever (Psalm 136:1).

May we remember who the giver of all gifts is and never forget to acknowledge His bountiful hand to us.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Christians and War - What does the Bible say?

by Barbara Latta

The morality of war has been questioned for centuries. In our modern era, many churches spouting the name of Christ have maligned veterans and called for the end of the military as we know it. This not only hurts those who have served so bravely, but these groups have also misinterpreted scripture to conform to their way of thinking.

Christians and war - what does the Bible say?

After the War of 1812, Quaker John Murray wrote a letter to Founding Father John Jay complaining about the sins of war. In one of his replies, Jay stated:

“Had the Gospel regarded as being in every case sinful, it seems strange that the Apostle Paul should have been so unguarded as in teaching the importance of faith to use an argument which clearly proves the lawfulness of war, ‘That it was through faith that Gideon, David, and others waxed valiant in fight, and turned to flight the armies of aliens’ (Hebrews 11:34), thereby confirming the declaration of David, that it was God Who has ‘girded him with strength to battle, and had taught his hands to war and his fingers to fight’ (Psalm 18:39).”

In a fallen world, peace is only obtained through the defense of such peace. War is necessary to obtain and preserve the freedoms God has given to us.

War is wrong when it is used to overthrow a just government or to obtain more power and wealth such as the way Hitler, Mussolini, Communist dictators and terrorists have done for decades. But without war to stop those despots, the entire world would now be consumed with evil. And that is not God’s plan.

Jesus told us to, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15). That is only done when we pave the way for the freedom to do so.

As we honor our veterans this week, remember why the United States of America exists. She exists because the Father of all blessing has bestowed upon us the honor of carrying the torch of freedom to the world.

Here are some ways you can honor a veteran, not only during Veteran’s Day, but every day:

• Pray for them.
• Support legislation that will increase their benefits.
• Buy them a meal or cup of coffee when you see them in restaurants.
• Thank them in person.
• Honor the flag they fight for.

You can also show your appreciation to our service members through collecting military memorabilia or conducting interviews for the Veterans History Project, or by donating snacks and toiletries through Operation Show Our Love. 

Thank you, Veterans, for your service and sacrifices, and may God bless America!

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The Commodity of Time - How Do We Redeem It

by Barbara Latta

The Commodity of Time How do we Redeem it?

The day is here. We return to what I call normal time because Daylight Savings Time is over. Shortened days will bring darkness earlier in the evening. I am one of those that would like to leave time alone and stop switching it back and forth each season. But, hey, no one asked me when this time rule was enforced, so that means I live with it, right?

We feel that we lose an hour each spring and gain it back in the fall. But we aren’t really losing and gaining, just rearranging. The only way we can lose time is by squandering it.

Time is a commodity we aren’t conscious of. Minutes tick by while we go about our business every day. As each second slips past, the hands on the clock have moved through a day we will never re-live.

Time can’t be placed in a piggy bank and saved like money. Hours can’t be earned like our salary. Minutes are not retrievable like lost coins. Time passes and disappears.

God tells us to redeem time, so how do we do that?