Thanksgiving Day

November 23, 2017

Philippians 4:6-20

Grace and mercy to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.

It is written, “6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, God of all grace, govern our hearts that we may never forget Your blessings but steadfastly thank and praise You for all Your goodness in this life until, with all Your saints, we praise You eternally in Your heavenly kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

A happy and blessed thanksgiving to all of you.

Come, Ye thankful people, come.  And you do.  For it is good to cast your anxieties upon Jesus because He is taking care of you.  

Cast your anxieties upon Jesus by prayer, asking the Lord to exchange your anxieties with His life.  

Cast your anxieties upon Jesus by supplication, humbly begging the Lord to grant you peace.

Cast your anxieties upon Jesus by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving for He has given you every good and perfect gift.

Come, Ye thankful people, come.  And the peace of God stands guard protecting your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  I want you to picture in your minds the peace of God as a guardian angel whose only purpose is to protect you.

Anxious shepherds saw an angel of the Lord the night Jesus was born.  The glory of the Lord shone around them.  The angel said to the shepherds, “Fear not (for anxiety is fear) Fear not for behold, I bring you good news of great joy.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace...toward men.

The peace of God was announced that night.  The shepherd cast off their anxiety and their fear.  They said,

Let us now go even to Bethlehem,

and see this thing which is come to pass,

which the Lord has made known to us.

Come ye thankful people come with the Peace of God standing guard before you.

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

With the God of peace standing to guard over you;

In the name of the Father and of the Son of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.