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"The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not
protect you."
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Camp's
Corner
Gratitude has always been a major part of God’s plan for our lives. Without it, we are missing on the best blessings He intends for us as His children.
Paul tells us in Philippians 4:6 to make thanksgiving our accompaniment to our prayers of greatest passion, plea and need. He says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” When our heart-felt needs are expressed to God in a spirit of gratitude, instead of an attitude of worry and despair, Paul tells us that the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension and understanding, will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Who would have thought that practicing thanksgiving, a nice, collective family celebration centered around food & football, would be a major part of God’s inner protection against worry for our hearts and our minds.
When we thank God, even for our tough times, it shows our complete trust that He has everything under control; for our betterment and for His glory. James, the Lord’s half-brother, understood this principle when He writes in James 1:2-3, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials or temptations (same word in Greek), knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” Our growth is dependent upon our successfully going through hard times as a Christian, in a Christian manner. As we thank Him more and trust Him more, we strengthen our relationship with Him and improve our witness with those He is trying to save through us.
Peter says in I Peter 4:19, “Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.” And Paul says in II Corinthians 12:10, “Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecution, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” This Thanksgiving season, let us all count the blessings of His strength in us, and of His peace and contentment in us during all of our tough times of 2007 and of all the tough times to come in 2008.
Live like He has saved you, celebrate like He has blessed you and rest in His arms: for He has us all in His hands. Let the words of Jesus give you comfort through the holidays and all the year through. “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world.’
Happy Thanksgiving!
Love,
David N. Camp
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