When we grasp that reality, we will:

1)  Choose curriculum carefully.
2)  Develop curriculum strategically.

Any old curriculum will not do.  We will not just throw together a lesson.  Rather we will approach it prayerfully and seek to be accurate in our representation of it, trying to communicate God’s intent and not our opinion.

This thanksgiving, be mindful of the fact that not everybody has a a place they can call their own.  Not everybody has a reliable source of income.  Some have lost people they love.

And, just because you now have a home, job, family and friends, doesn’t mean you will tomorrow.    What will you be thankful for then?

As I read through the psalms I noticed how the psalmist’s thanksgiving went beyond material blessings.  Notice in the following verses how his praise or thanksgiving was wrapped up in the person of God –who He is and what He has done.

Ps. 75:1 – We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks, for Your Name is near; men tell of Your wonderful deeds.

Ps. 92:1-4 – It is good to praise the LORD and make music to Your name, O Most High, … For You make me glad by Your deeds, O LORD; I sing for joy at the works of Your hands.

Ps. 97:12 – Rejoice in the LORD, you who are righteous, and praise His holy name.

Ps. 107:1 – Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever.

Ps. 107:8 – Let them give thanks to the LORD for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men.

Ps. 118:29 – Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever.

Ps. 119:62 – At midnight I rise to give You thanks for Your righteous laws.

Let me put out the challenge that this Thanksgiving we keep our focus our great God, on the fullness of who He is, instead of looking at what we do or don’t have.  When we are most thankful for Him, we will, like the Apostle Paul, learn to be content “in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”

Just recently I’ve made changes to the phone system.  The company I changed to made a couple mistakes in how it was set up and missed the promised date.  I could have let them have it verbally but I didn’t.  They were very apologetic and proactive in rectifying the errors.

By nature I am a person of principle but I have learned through the years that it isn’t so much that people make mistakes but how they deal with those mistakes that makes the difference.

In the church, your pastor will make mistakes.  Ministry leaders will make mistakes. You will make mistakes if you are involved in the ministry in strategic ways.

• How will you react to mistakes you see others make?
• How will you handle mistakes you make?

Many church conflicts and splits could have been avoided if a little grace had been applied.  And, it would have been easier for people to exercise that grace had those at fault handled their mistakes with humility, grace, wisdom, and understanding.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.  (Ps. 103:11-14)

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In putting up new bulletins from our affiliate store under the church supplies section on the Thanksgiving Ministry Resources page, I came across one with a quote from Samuel F. Pugh of a prayer … “O God, when I have food, help me to remember the hungry; When I have work, help me to remember the jobless.  When I have a home, help me to remember those who have no home at all … ”

It reminded me to go beyond saying “thank you.”  Verbal expressions of gratitude and praise to God for what He has done for us is important but He is most pleased when we take it to the next step.

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise-the fruit of lips that confess his name.  And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. (Heb. 13:15-16)

If you aren’t suffering for Jesus, are your remembering those who are?  You can start by:

1)  Increasing your awareness of what is happening around the world to fellow believers

Click here for books and Internet resources on persecuted believers.

Follow one or more of these organizations on Twitter or Facebook to keep up with what is happening.

2)  Praying for them

From there God may take you into further involvement.

If you are suffering for Jesus, even if it seems insignificant in comparison to others, here are some promises or realities to grab hold of:

    You are an overcomer because He is.  Have hope in Him.  (Jn. 16:33)
    You are secure in His love.  Hold on to it.  (Rom. 8:35)
    You are considered blessed.  Be at peace.   (Matt. 5:10-11) 
    You will be rewarded because of it.  Hang in there.  (Matt. 5:11-12)
    You will be restored.  Stand firm.  (1 Pet. 5:8-10)

With these realities comes a sense of purpose in suffering for Him, knowing that we will be okay no matter what happens which then results in:

> an ability to take heart (Jn. 16:33) and rejoice and be glad even in persecution (Matt. 5:12).

> a sense of security (Rom. 8:35-36) which in turn enables us to look beyond ourselves and care about the one who is persecuting us (Matt. 5:44-45; Rom. 12:14).

Will you wallow in self-pity over what has happened or rise victorious and let Him use what has happened to you to minister to others?  Will you question His love and doubt His plan for your life or will you trust in His sovereignty and rely on His faithfulness?  Will you use your life circumstances as an excuse for not serving or will you step out in faith relying on His grace and power?

Read the following Scripture and consider how this kind of God is capable of using both the good and bad of your life to His glory as you serve Him.

Ps. 139:1-16a -  He is fully aware of what is happening with us. Nothing that happens escapes His notice.  He is omniscient, all knowing.

Ps. 139:16 – He pre-determined our days.  He is sovereign.

Ps. 139:17-18 – He cares so much about us, He is constantly thinking about us. He is loving.

Rom. 8:28 – He always works on our behalf.  He is good and wise.

Rom. 8:31-39  – He holds on to us no matter what happens.  Nothing can separate us from Him.

2 Cor. 1:3-4  -  He doesn’t remove trouble from our lives but is with us through it, giving us all we need to rise above.  He is the provider.

Resources to Help You Work Through Reactions to Your Life Experiences:

Books on letting go of the past

Read the following Scripture and consider God’s perspective on your personality:

Ps. 139:13-14 – He created our innermost being.  Who we are is no accident and is intended to be used for His glory.  — Let’s yield to Him and not make excuses for ourselves.

Matt. 22:37 - He commands that all of who we are is to go into loving and serving Him.  — Let’s yield to Him and not consider this optional.

Gal. 5:16-26 - He provides His Spirit to help us turn from the dysfunctional aspects and replace them with good fruit.  — Let’s yield to Him and not get in the way of effective service.

Resources to Help You Understand Your Personality Temperament:

List of books from different approaches.