I Tim. 4:4-11-Hope from a Thankful Heart Paul’s letter to Timothy affirmed the fact that everything has been created by God and everything that God created is good. Paul affirmed this truth because of a belief in Gnosticism that was prolific in the Greek society. Gnosticism did not include creation by a supreme God. The earth and humanity evolved out of the Cosmos. Each evolution out of the Cosmos became more and more advanced. from The Gnostic Church website The only proper religion form mankind is humanity itself, for it is from this humanity that God first evolved. God, who is our future, came from humanity, who are Their past. Paul assured Timothy that when he pointed out the fact that everything has been created by God and is good. Nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected. 4 Everything that has been created by God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected. 5 These things are made holy by God’s word and prayer. 6 If you point these things out to the believers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus who has been trained by the words of faith and the good teaching that you’ve carefully followed. 7 But stay away from the godless myths that are passed down from the older women. In practices of spiritual leadership one is to train ones self. Spiritual training is more important than physical training. Spiritual training consists of study of God’s Word and prayer. But, just studying and praying is empty without ‘teaching’ what we learn about God. To teach the Word of God does not mean standing in front of a crowd and lecturing. Teaching about God is not lecturing but living our lives according to hope in the living God, who is savior of all people. Practices of spiritual leadership Train yourself for a holy life! 8 While physical training has some value, training in holy living is useful for everything. It has promise for this life now and the life to come. 9 This saying is reliable and deserves complete acceptance. 10 We work and struggle for this: “Our hope is set on the living God, who is the savior of all people, especially those who believe.” 11 Command these things. Teach them. My prayer for you today is that you celebrate hope today as you gather with family and friends for Thanksgiving. Love in Christ, Pat https://youtube/watch?v=G3M8QprrlAo Thanks to God for My Redeemer from Ilumina-Hymn History THANKS TO GOD FOR MY REDEEMER August Ludwig Storm (1862–1914) Translated by Carl E. Backstrom (1901– ) IT IS EASY to thank God for roses. It is much harder to thank Him for the thorns. This hymn offers a mature approach to thanksgiving, showing appreciation for pain and pleasure, joy and sorrow. August Storm wrote this hymn in 1891 while still a young man of twenty-nine. He worked for the Salvation Army in Sweden and published this hymn in the organization’s periodical, The War Cry. The Salvation Army has always specialized in reaching out to the poor and troubled, so Storm probably saw more than his share of pain and sorrow, as well as the joy and pleasure of lives turned toward Christ. Just eight years after writing this hymn, Storm was stricken with a back problem that left him crippled for the rest of his life. He managed to continue his Salvation Army work, and he maintained a thankful spirit even during this most difficult time. If anything, his troubles gave more power and credibility to his sermons and writings.
Posted on: Thu, 27 Nov 2014 10:44:52 +0000
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