Archive for November, 2009
How Can I Thank God in Tough Times?
Posted by: | CommentsWhat is thanksgiving?
Today is Thanksgiving Day in America. A day when many families get together and celebrate a holiday. A day of food, fellowship, football games on television, and a day of searching the web and the newspaper to discover what will be on the best sale on the day after Thanksgiving.
And as I pause today to thank God for his blessings and others for their love and kindness, I wonder if I can define “thanksgiving”.
Does giving thanks mean that we deny any difficulties which might be in our lives at the present time? Does it mean that we are thankful even for the very difficulties themselves?
Well, Christians throughout the ages have wrestled with those questions.
You see, it is easy to be thankful when life is good, things are pleasant, you are at peace in all your relationships, your relatives are doing well, your church is growing, there is money in your bank account, and your body is healthy. But we know life does not always give us that Polaroid moment. So how do we give thanks, in truth and without religious frameworks which deny the reality of our lives, in those tough times?
Paul was an apostle during New Testament times, and he wrote to the church at Thessalonica and talked about thanksgiving, saying…
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Why Peter?
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Those familiar with the New Testament often refer to Peter as the disciple who opened his mouth to change feet. We think of Peter denying Jesus. Peter, the one who said what we all would like to say, “Jesus, how many times do I really have to forgive this person before I can say ‘That’s it. I have fulfilled my quota. I don’t have to forgive you anymore.’” Peter, who told Jesus,“You’ll never wash MY feet!” Sounds ridiculous now, but how would you have felt at that moment? We think of Peter cutting off Malchus’ ear. We think of his rash statement to Jesus, “I’ll never deny you!”
The first time we are introduced to Peter is when his brother Andrew brings him to Jesus. Immediately Jesus looks at Peter and begins to tell Peter about himself. Jesus said, “You are Simon, the son of Jonah, but you will be called Cephas.” Ever wonder what it felt like to be inside Peter’s skin at that moment? His brother, Andrew, told him that they had found the Messiah, the One they had lived all their lives learning about; the One who would rescue the Jewish nation; the One who would fulfill the prophesies. Perhaps Peter is skeptical at that first moment but also hopeful. Could this man be the One? And Peter begins his experiences with Jesus with an identity encounter. Jesus basically says, “Peter, I know you, and I know who you will become. You are going to change.”
