Pastor's Weekly Musing
Hey everyone!
Happy Thanksgiving! I pray that you'll enjoy -- or already have enjoyed -- a large meal with friends and family soon. There's plenty to be thankful for, amen?
In 1 Thessalonians 5, Paul gives some final parting instructions to a local church body and all her members. Wouldn't that be awesome? Imagine if the Apostle Paul wrote a letter to Meadows and said, "Ok guys, here's what I want you to concentrate on as a church." Amazing. I'd type up those instructions and put them on every wall we got.
Well, this church had that. After telling them to honor their leaders, to work hard, and to care for the weak, he tells them in no uncertain terms what they need to be concentrating on as a group:
"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances -- for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thess. 5:18)
In all honesty, I probably would a little disappointed if that was our instructions as a church. Seriously, Paul? 'Pray?' That's it? I was expecting something huge, like "build a bigger sanctuary", or "start an orphanage", or "have a Taco Sunday," something tangible and measurable.
Instead, he says:
- Rejoice always. Actively seek joy. Joy is a choice. Pursue it.
- Pray continually. Keep God before your mind all day, everyday.
And lastly,
- Give thanks in all circumstances. Maintain a posture of gratitude in every moment that God gives you. Not easy. But so helpful, and healthy, and healing, and enjoyable to be around. Gratitude tacks on more mileage to relationships, emotional health, and even lifespan than any other characteristic to which we can aspire.
Paul concludes his instructions with the ultimate directive:
- For this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Wow. Way to lay the smack down, Paul. This is GOD'S will. And not just His general will, but His will FOR ME, specifically. And not just on my own, but IN CHRIST. Ok, I read you, Paul.
This Thanksgiving, know that as you practice gratitude, as you actively think and ponder all the ways that God has been good to you, as you awkwardly go around the dinner table and say these things out loud, you're not doing so in vain -- you're actually following God's specific direction for your life: give thanks!
Happy Thanksgiving to you all!
Happy Thanksgiving! I pray that you'll enjoy -- or already have enjoyed -- a large meal with friends and family soon. There's plenty to be thankful for, amen?
In 1 Thessalonians 5, Paul gives some final parting instructions to a local church body and all her members. Wouldn't that be awesome? Imagine if the Apostle Paul wrote a letter to Meadows and said, "Ok guys, here's what I want you to concentrate on as a church." Amazing. I'd type up those instructions and put them on every wall we got.
Well, this church had that. After telling them to honor their leaders, to work hard, and to care for the weak, he tells them in no uncertain terms what they need to be concentrating on as a group:
"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances -- for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thess. 5:18)
In all honesty, I probably would a little disappointed if that was our instructions as a church. Seriously, Paul? 'Pray?' That's it? I was expecting something huge, like "build a bigger sanctuary", or "start an orphanage", or "have a Taco Sunday," something tangible and measurable.
Instead, he says:
- Rejoice always. Actively seek joy. Joy is a choice. Pursue it.
- Pray continually. Keep God before your mind all day, everyday.
And lastly,
- Give thanks in all circumstances. Maintain a posture of gratitude in every moment that God gives you. Not easy. But so helpful, and healthy, and healing, and enjoyable to be around. Gratitude tacks on more mileage to relationships, emotional health, and even lifespan than any other characteristic to which we can aspire.
Paul concludes his instructions with the ultimate directive:
- For this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Wow. Way to lay the smack down, Paul. This is GOD'S will. And not just His general will, but His will FOR ME, specifically. And not just on my own, but IN CHRIST. Ok, I read you, Paul.
This Thanksgiving, know that as you practice gratitude, as you actively think and ponder all the ways that God has been good to you, as you awkwardly go around the dinner table and say these things out loud, you're not doing so in vain -- you're actually following God's specific direction for your life: give thanks!
Happy Thanksgiving to you all!
___________________________________________________
Operation: Christmas Child concluded earlier this week and was another huge success!
- Meadows alone brought in 414 shoeboxes! I love this church!
- Our Meadows collection site processed 7,806 shoeboxes filling two semi-trailers
- Las Vegas and the surrounding area collected 19,743 shoeboxes!
___________________________________________________
This Sunday, we'll begin our annual December series, ADVENT.
The Advent -- 'arrival' in Latin -- is the time of year we devote to preparing our hearts for the celebration of Christ's birth.
Think of it -- we devote a ton of time to preparing for Christmas. I pulled down the Christmas tree and decorations this week. Black Friday shopping is already on my to-do list. I've been playing Michael Buble's and Justin Beiber's Christmas albums on loop since early November. I spend a ton of time preparing externally.
The Advent season is a time to do the same with our spirits, internally. We prepare our hearts, center our thoughts, gather our strength, and funnel it toward the celebration of the greatest arrival in history: the birth of our Savior.
For the next four Sundays, we'll look closely at a prophecy written by Isaiah foretelling of the coming King, and we'll see exactly how each prophecy ministers to us even today.
Join us this Sunday for Part 1 - Advent: Hope.
Looking forward to seeing you all on the walkway!
Pastor Ron
The Advent -- 'arrival' in Latin -- is the time of year we devote to preparing our hearts for the celebration of Christ's birth.
Think of it -- we devote a ton of time to preparing for Christmas. I pulled down the Christmas tree and decorations this week. Black Friday shopping is already on my to-do list. I've been playing Michael Buble's and Justin Beiber's Christmas albums on loop since early November. I spend a ton of time preparing externally.
The Advent season is a time to do the same with our spirits, internally. We prepare our hearts, center our thoughts, gather our strength, and funnel it toward the celebration of the greatest arrival in history: the birth of our Savior.
For the next four Sundays, we'll look closely at a prophecy written by Isaiah foretelling of the coming King, and we'll see exactly how each prophecy ministers to us even today.
Join us this Sunday for Part 1 - Advent: Hope.
Looking forward to seeing you all on the walkway!
Pastor Ron
Recent
Archive
2023
March
June
September
2022
March
July
September
2021
January
Categories
no categories