The LORD's Day November 4, 2007

Time To Give Thanks To The LORD!

Psalm 30

We all need to thank the LORD more than we do. It isn’t so much that we aren’t thankful. It is more that He has done so much- so very much for us.

John 1.16 From the fulness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another. There is much that the LORD is doing for us that we haven’t discovered yet. For example what children, grandchildren or great grandchildren will become... there are things He has done we haven’t recognized. “Open my eyes, LORD is always an appropriate prayer for the believer. There is always more of His goodness in my life that I need to see.

There are times in my life- specific times when I need to be reminded to thank Him.
Some are obvious- others are not so obvious- in fact in some of these times if we aren’t reminded we will fail to than Him at all.

It is time to give thanks to the LORD!

1. Thank Him in the Good Times Psalm 16.6

There are times when there is little stress, times when problems are very small or non existent.

There are times when our hearts are light and there is little to occupy our minds. Some of you are saying, “when is that?” But those times do come.

This is probably one of the least likely times of thanksgiving. This was certainly Israel’s problem... Paul encouraged the church at Thessalonica to give thanks always- this is God’s will for us I Thessalonians 5.18

Why is there a lack of thanks in good and pleasant times?
1- We forget.

2- We are busy.

3- The blessings themselves can capture our love- be careful!

Let’s remember this month and into next the blessings of this past year. There are many, but if do not purposely remember them they are not likely to come to our conscious.

Let’s take time to be still- this is the way we remember.

Let’s give some of those blessings back to the LORD and away to others.


2. Thank Him for the Blessings in Your Life When You are Going Through Difficult Times Philippians 1.3

I thank my God every time I remember you

Paul, the apostle, wrote these words from a Roman prison. The Philippian Church had its beginning in a Roman Prison. Paul is thankful, not for the prison, but because of the blessings the prisons brought- greater than Paul knew in his lifetime- greater beyond measure.

Acts 16.11-40 It was out of hardship and persecution this blessing of his sweetheart church came! This is true. William Cowper’s story behind the beautiful hymn God gave him...

God moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill,
He treasures up his bright designs,
And works his sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take,
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the LORD by feeble sense,
But trust him for his grace;
Behind a frowning providence,
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding ev'ry hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flow'r.

Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan his work in vain;
GOD is his own interpreter,
And he will make it plain.

In the darkest times, the Light of Christ comes to us. In fact like no other times when we are going through things like Paul and Cowper does His light shine so brightly!

Thanking God in the dark and difficult times is therapeutic. It gets our heart and mind focused on God and His goodness to us. The darkest moment in Jesus’s life was the cross. Psalm 22 has been called the Psalm of the Cross. Let’s read it and notice how in vs.21-31 there is hope and thanks even on the cross!

The LORD’s Supper

Jesus is our example in thanking God in the dark times- horrific times in our lives. We can give Him thanks for the future promises. He brings wonderful things out of life’s darkest moments.

3. Thank Him in Times of Tragedy When There are no Words Job 1.20-22

Robalinos in the loss of their 8 day old son. I didn’t have to say anything.

4. Thank the LORD every day! Lamentations 3.22-24

His deep love is new every morning, as is His tender affection and mercy.

Day By Day He comes with evidences of His love. Some days we feel more thankful but each day is a LORD’s Day and each day is a day we have much to thank God for. Open your eyes!

5. Thank Him All Day Long!

Psalm 34.1 I will bless the LORD at all times. His praise shall continually be on my lips.

Hebrews 13.15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His Name.

Thankfulness ought to dominate our lives as believers. This is God’s will This is Jesus’ way. We are the most blessed people on earth and in time.

Let’s take the warning from Israel- I Corinthians 10.10- murmuring- opposite of giving thanks... to grumble in a low tone, cooing of doves (unlike other birds that chirp), those who discontentedly complain. A grumbling complaining pollutes our spirit and those who hear it. God’s love is short circuited- cut off...

Nutritionist’s responses to Dad’s miracle- “Oo I am getting chills up and down my spine!” I like that effect! God does too.

Thanksgiving- not just a National Holiday (Although I am glad it is!) But something to be done in good times, difficult times, even times of tragedy, each day, each moment!

Great is His Faithfulness!

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The LORD’s Day
November 4, 2007

We Worship In Singing
We Worship In Prayer
We Worship In Hearing the Word of God
Time To Give Thanks to the LORD Psalm 30

*Tithes and Offerings can be placed in the box at the rear of the sanctuary*
Please join us for coffee and bagels downstairs if you are visiting today.


This Week
Bible Reading Proverbs 6-7
Monday Men’s Prayer Meeting 6:30am in the church basement
Wednesday Bible Study 7:30pm at the parsonage
Thursday Bible Study 10:30am at the church
Next Lord’s Day
Morning Prayer- 10am in the church basement
Morning Worship- 10:30am(Sunday School for Children) Harvest Dinner to follow
Spanish Service- 4pm


In Your Prayers For All of God’s People

Remember the men serving in the armed forces: Bradley, Julia Bujold’s grandson with Special Forces in Afghanistan, home on leave right now, Ken Brown, Pastor’s friend’s son finished his third tour of Iraq- His parents thank us for praying for him. Billy Knapp, Jr. in Iraq with the Marines (neighbor of the church and Pastor- Billy’s sister graduated from Good Shepherd). He is due home at Thanksgiving. Matthew Klaus, brother of Good Shepherd parent in Iraq as a firefighter for Haliburton. Pastor’s nephews’ and niece’s cousin Kim’s husband, Jay, in Iraq. Pray for them and the others away from their families. Praise God for keeping David Louis, Jake Morgan, Ken Brown and Tom Hindelang safe during their times in Iraq. Please pray for Johnathan Kruzner (friend’s son of Rudy Migliore) who lost his arm from a roadside bomb in Iraq last month. Katharina’s Family in the death of her daughter... Remember Robert, her husband and her sons, Norman, Raymond &Jonathan anf their families. Kathy, Ziggy and Margot’s daughter-in-law, under the doctor’s care for fibromyalgia. Thank God for answers to prayer for her.Lucy, their daughter, scheduled for surgery next month. Pray for Eloise Brooks’ Family in their loss and sorrow... Remember Jean Louis on dialysis. Grace Martin, Edie Raevis’ daughter, recovering from surgery on her back and uindergoing Physical Therapy. Edie’s daughter’s mother-in-law, Millie Espisito in serious condition. Reginald Mooney, friend of Terri and John Garry, with a tumor in his kidney. Please remember Pastor’s friend Kim Richardson’s daughter, Kelly recovering from a mastectomy. Please remember this whole family in prayer. Two lymph came back showing cancer in them.... undergoing chemo therapy. Leah May’s cousin, Joan, respiratory problems now home... Lucy Mancini under Orthopedic Specialist’s care and physical therapy for pain and injuries resulting from the accident. Pastor’s Dad, Larry Mancini, Sr. In an intermediary care facility, undergoing physical and speech therapy. There is a blog for him: www.papa2all.blogspot.com Stephen Huges, brother of a Good Shepherd Nursery School Mom, their parents home in Hewlett was destroyed in a fire.. Please remember Dr. And Mrs. Mucci in your prayers as well as Judy’s daughter Tatum. Alice Gordon’s brother, Everette, in Illinois, with a serious medical condition... Anka’s family in their time of loss and grief. Joey Reda (Charlie and Diane Davison’s Grandson) experiencing some heart arrhythmia. Prudy’s Mom seeing an oncologist for a lump discovered this week that the doctor believes is not benign. She will have surgery this week. Pastor’s friend, Rudy Migliore, received a very good report from the doctors .Romans 12.15 Jack Simon, a friend of Pastor’s, undergoing tests for a lung problem...Pray for those children who will receive Christmas shoe boxes this December.

*If you are would like to put together a shoe box for a needy child this Christmas,
see Margot for information. They need to be turned in next Sunday, November 11th, the same day as the Harvest Dinner- sign up for what you would like to bring downstairs.

Notes on Our Time in God’s Word This Morning...

Time To Give Thanks To The LORD

Psalm 30

Pastor’s messages are now available online:
http://thesundaymorningmessage.blogspot.com/
Church e-mail: bayshorenaz@rock.com
Church Phone: 631-969-1730
1314 Pine Acres Boulevard, Bay Shore, Long Island, NY 11706-5436