Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

May 12th, 2018 Thank-you LORD – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Reading – 1 Chronicles 16 – 18 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers Read – John 15 – 16; Psalms 56 – 60; Proverbs 12)

Read the “0512 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon

“So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it: and they offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings before God. And when David had made an end of offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD. And he dealt to every one of Israel, both man and woman, to every one a loaf of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to record, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel: Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obededom: and Jeiel with psalteries and with harps; but Asaph made a sound with cymbals; Benaiah also and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually before the ark of the covenant of God. Then on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the LORD into the hand of Asaph and his brethren.” (1Chronicles 16:1-7)

Good morning! Did you wake up this morning? You need to thank the LORD for the breath He gave you. Were you able to get up and out of bed? Then you need to thank the LORD for your strength. Did you enjoy a nice breakfast? Then you need to thank the LORD for the food He provided you with. Colossians 3:15 says…

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” (Colossians 3:15)

It is so easy to become a scoffer, and angry at the world, but let the peace of God rule in your heart. Jesus knows you and you know Jesus. Be ye thankful. Problems start with being unthankful…

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” (Romans 1:18-32)

When it comes to thanking God, we are without excuse for there are many things we can thank the LORD for. It seems though we are just slack in being thankful. King David, in his Psalm, has given only a few of those things we should be, can be, and how to be thankful for…

“(8) Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name [YOUR SALVATION], make known his deeds among the people [WITNESS FOR HIM]. (9) Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him [HE PUT A SONG IN YOUR HEART, THIS IS WHY: BE THANKFUL], talk ye of all his wondrous works [BRAG ON WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR YOU]. (10) Glory ye in his holy name […for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved – ACTS 4:12] : let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD [THROUGH PRAYER AND HIS WORD]. (11) Seek the LORD and his strength [FOR HIS OMNIPOTENCE], seek his face continually. (12) Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth [MEDITATING ON THE MANY THINGS HE HAS DONE]; (13) O ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones. (14) He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth. (15) Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations; (16) Even of the covenant which he made with Abraham, and of his oath unto Isaac; (17) And hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant, (18) Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance; (19) When ye were but few, even a few, and strangers in it. (20) And when they went from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people [FOR HIS PROMISES]; (21) He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes [FOR HIS PROTECTION], (22) Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm. (23) Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation [FOR SALVATION]. (24) Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations [FOR THE OPPERTUNITY TO BEAR WITNESS FOR HIM]. (25) For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods. (26) For all the gods of the people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens [FOR BEING THE CREATOR]. (27) Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place. (28) Give unto the LORD, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength. (29) Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. (30) Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved. (31) Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The LORD reigneth [FOR WHO HE IS: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS]. (32) Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein. (33) Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD, because he cometh to judge the earth [IF YOU DON’T, THE SEA, THE FIELDS, AND TREES WILL]. (34) O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever [FOR HIS GOODNESS AND HIS MERCY]. (35) And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise [FOR HIS PRESERVATION]. (36) Blessed be the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD.” (1Chronicles 16:8-36)

Thank You LORD.

Peace.