etang

What does it mean to give thanks in everything? As we pause at this time of year to celebrate and give thanks for God's gracious bounty and blessings, we should be reminded to give thanks for all things.

As we move out of the Summer season into the Fall, there is a change, not only in the climate atmosphere, but also in nature, too. The reptilian species, in particular, must adapt and change, as they are cold-blooded animals.

In 1894, Labor Day became a federal holiday in the USA. It is celebrated on the first Monday in September to honor and recognize the American labor movement and the work and contributions of laborers to the development of the USA.

Psalm 78:2-6, “2 I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old, 3 Which we have heard and known, And our fathers have told us. 4 We will not hide them from their children, Telling to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, And His strength and His wonderful works that He has done. 5 For He established a testimony in Jacob, And appointed a law in Israel, Which He commanded our fathers, That they should make them known to their children; 6 That the generation to come might know them, The children who would be born, That they may arise and declare them to their children.”

Freedom is often described as "the state of not being imprisoned or enslaved." With regard to our great Nation's history, freedom has been called living without fear of tyranny, and oppression. Whatever your definition, Freedom is a valuable commodity in life, and as it pertains to those who follow Christ, even in death. God created man, and all the rest of creation with the sole purpose to please and worship Him.

Genesis 2:15-17, “15 Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

Memorial Day is always commemorated in the U.S. on the last Monday in May. In 2024, Memorial Day is on Monday, May 27th. The holiday of remembering our fallen soldiers goes all the way back to the Civil War. The idea for a specific holiday began in 1868. It was named national “Decoration Day” to be observed on May 30th by decorating the tombs of Union soldiers. Following World War 1, its scope included all who died in any war or military action. Later, the name “Memorial Day” became common after World War 2, and in 1967, it was declared the official name by Federal Law.

We have all heard the words. Those four-letter words used in almost every movie in Hollywood. Of all the words that sicken me the most are the ones that use the Name of God in them or use the Name of Jesus in an improper manner. Such language comes from the realm of the kingdom of darkness. With that in mind, if we are to shun the things of the dark kingdom, shouldn’t we gravitate toward the principles of the Kingdom of the Most High?

Very interesting for your meditation and mine is that the resurrection of Jesus Christ was accomplished without one eye on earth seeing it happen. Unless one of the tomb-guarding soldiers was peeking, which, out of their sheer terror and the Bible’s description of the soldiers’ distraction, I seriously doubt. No one saw the stone being rolled away and Jesus walking out of the tomb, except angels.

In the Old Testament Book of 1 Samuel, there is an account of young Samuel being called by God. This is a remarkable story that holds some valuable lessons for those who read it. Eli was a man of prayer and a priest who had two wicked sons of his own. The story is as relevant today as it was to those who lived it. Samuel grew up as a young boy who had been prayed for by his parents and was dedicated to the service of the Lord.

The Word of God is an endless ocean of knowledge and understanding. In the first chapter of Genesis, we see the perfect design of God, unfolding His plan through His creation. In this passage of scripture, there is a great deal we can learn from the context in which God has given. There are four observations that I would like to point out, based on the God-given leadership potential we have within all of us.