In Everything Give Thanks

Scriptural meditation:
1 Thessalonians 5:18

For many of us, 2008 has been a tumultuous year filled with difficulties beyond our scope of understanding. Yet, we have lived to tell the stories and witness the making of history with the presidential election of Sen. Barack Obama. Some of us have lost jobs, friends, significant others and hope, but we have lived to tell the stories. Andre Crouch said it best, “Through it all, I’ve learned to trust in Jesus. I’ve learned to trust in God.” The old saints use to say, “If I had 10,000 tongues I couldn't thank Him enough.” Yet, with our one, we often fail to utter the word “Thank You.”

Even in our frustration and pain, we have to declare that the rocks will not cry out for us. The rocks cannot communicate the joy I get just thinking about everything God has done for me. If I had 10,000 tongues, I could not thank him enough.

I am thankful for every valley, as they have taught me to appreciate the mountains.
I am thankful for the summer floods, as they taught me to appreciate God’s earth.
I am thankful for every relationship that dissolved, as they taught me to value the unions that remain.
I am thankful for every ache and pain, as they taught me to appreciate my health and insurance.
I am thankful for every prayer, as I know that angels were dispatched on my behalf.
I am thankful for those who love me, as they teach me how to love.

Whether you spend this thanksgiving feasting on turkey or a can of tuna, give thanks. We can all list what is wrong with our world, but there is so much to note that is right about out temporal home. Each Sunday when I walk into church, I say “thank you.” Not only because I am glad to be in the number just one more time, but because I realize somewhere else in the world there is a Christian praying and worshiping my God in secret. While we are clapping, singing, and running up and down the aisles, others in distant lands pray to a God banned by their governments.

Yes, the economy is unstable and our retirement accounts have taken hits, but we continue to eat each day. Unlike our Haitian brothers, sisters, and others across the world, we do not have to peer into the skies awaiting food drops from United Nations rescue planes. Watch CNN a few hours and you will thank God for the next lunch meat sandwich.

I know it is hard to be thankful when there is trouble on every side, but we must remember that things are not as bad as they could be. As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday and the Christmas season, do not concentrate on what you do not have. Rather, concentrate on WHO you have. If you have children, thank God for them. If you have a spouse, thank God for their love or just their presence if things are a little rocky. If you have siblings, thank God that you are not alone in this world. If you have parents, thank God for their guidance. If you just have Scruffy the dog or Jazzy the cat, thank God for their companionship. If you are awaiting the love of your life, thank God for this time of preparation.
And if you do not have anyone in this world, know today that Jesus loves you and so do I.

I thank God for you, your gifts, talents, and the value you add to our world!
Stay blessed and continue to walk in your blessings!!!

-ADS

Lord, Your will. Amen.

Scriptural Meditation:1 Samuel 16

"Lord, Your will. Nothing more. Nothing less. Nothing else. Amen." -- Pastor Jamal Bryant

I was listening to Pastor Jamal Bryant and he uttered the above statement as he prayed with his congregation. "Wow," I thought. "That's one powerful prayer." Actually, it is a prayer we should consider as we approach Tuesday's election.

Yes, we live in the United States and we value our democracy that allows us to choose our leaders. However, as people of faith, we know that when it comes to who will preside/rule over God's people, man's choice has not always corresponded with God's will.

When Samuel came to Jesse's house, Jesse presented his strongest sons. One by one, Samuel examined them but the oil would not flow.

"Neither has the LORD chosen this one," said Samuel as Jesse's seventh son appeared before him. It was David, the "ruddy" one, who was God's choice.

Yes, I want my candidate to win, but most importantly, I want God's will to be done in the earth.

I am a newshound, so in analyzing the news coverage I have heard both candidates and their representatives "misrepresent the truth" from time to time. Yet, when I think about my God, my mind retreats to Numbers 23:19 (NLT): God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?"

Do not consider this a word of discouragement. I encourage you to vote on Tuesday, Nov. 4. (YOU CANNOT VOTE ON NOV. 5) I have already voted and I will be at the precinct at 5:30 a.m. to begin my duties as a precinct official. This week, I write to encourage you. I drafted a number of thoughts to post on my blog, but the thoughts written at 1:46 a.m. (CST) is what thus saith the Lord.

This week, pray with me as our nation prepares to vote and wait for the revelation of God's WILL.

Let us pray for each of the candidates, their families, their campaign staffs, and those who protect them. We pray not only for the presidential candidates but also for those running for state and local offices.

We pray for our neighbors and fellow citizens who are still undecided about how they will vote. Let them hear You through all of the advertisements and the media spin.

We pray for those who will work the polls, peace officers, poll watchers, and anyone directly involved in the election process. Strengthen them during the 15-hour workday, in some cases, and remind them to treat your people with dignity and love. We bind the spirit of mischief and wrongdoing and we loose the spirit of fairness and justice.

Lord, let your people know that they are somebody not because they have the right to vote, but because they belong to you.

Lord, we thank you for those who have gone before us - the martyrs of our time who worked to secure our right to vote. We do not take this opportunity for granted, but we thank you for our due season and for their sacrifices.

Lord, we thank you for protecting our soldiers and those of every nation who are fighting to protect the civil rights of your people. We plead the blood of Jesus over our family members who are fighting a war we do not understand.

Lord, we know that no matter who assumes political office in the earth, You are in control. Proverbs 21:1(KJV) reminds us, "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will."

We trust that you can also turn our economy and nation around.

We thank you, praise you, lift your name up and know that you are the Ultimate One. We trust you to provide us earthly leaders who are men and women after your heart.

We declare and decree this petition, and commit to accept your will in our lives and in this upcoming election. In Jesus' name we pray, and it is so, AMEN.!

As always, stay encouraged, walk in your blessings, and do not forget to cast your ballot. Whether we celebrate or lament on Tuesday night, know it is "His will. Nothing more. Nothing less. Nothing else. Amen!"

A.D. Simmons