It’s about the holidays this week — Thanksgiving, Christmas, as well as some of our typical family fare!
SNOWBOUND
Michael was “bummed” about having to miss church services due to an early (late November) snow here in Oklahoma. He bemoaned: “It’s not just the worship; I will miss the Christian fellowship”
Cheryl: “We are Christians; fellowship with US!”
Michael: “That is like going to the prom with your mother!”
SO many people would give almost anything to have the kind of renown and fame that David received from the people of Israel after he killed Goliath, but as we see in I Samuel 29:5, it is not always such a good thing. The enemies of David quoted the Israelites’ song of David’s praise — “Saul has slain his thousands, but David his ten thousands” — in order to demean him. This is now the second time that hymn — intended in his honor — had been used by an enemy to slander David. People often dream of such praise and fame, but as we see here it can be a curse instead of a blessing. Continue reading
Hebrews 12:1 exhorts us: “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”
It is significant that the author adjures us to “run with ENDURANCE.” As has been often said, the Christian life is no “sprint”; rather it is a marathon. Many have seemed to begin well, only to falter and quit, demonstrating that theirs was no real commitment to The Lord (see Matthew 13 and the Parable of the Sower). Continue reading
In I Samuel 28:18, Samuel speaks to Saul from the grave: “As you did not obey the Lord and did not execute His fierce wrath on Amalek, so the Lord has done this thing to you this day.” Here the prophet reminds the distressed king of why God is punishing him: because he “let up” on the punishment which God had specifically commanded him to level on the nation of Amalek (I Samuel 15:3).
There is a good lesson for all of us here: we must be as precise in our execution of God’s commands as He was in giving them.
In Psalm 119:103 the Psalmist exclaims: “How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”
Are they indeed? How would we demonstrate the truth of this verse, if it were so in our own lives? Perhaps in some of the following ways:
Psalm 119:104 says: “From Your precepts I get understanding, therefore I hate every evil way.”
Psalm 97:10 admonishes us: “Hate evil, you who love the Lord.” One of the salient problems of God’s people in every age is that we do not hate evil; instead we tolerate it, compromise with it, and indulge in it. But how do we learn to hate evil, instead of tolerate, or even secretly love it? Continue reading
Psalm 111:1 says: “Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart, in the company of the upright and in the assembly.” Here we find several truths about thanksgiving:
— “I will give thanks …” We all know that this is important — but it is also important that it is done according to the next qualifiers:
— the word “LORD” here is literally “Yahweh.” It is HE to whom we should give ultimate thanks for everything. Not just “I’m thankful” in general, or to everyone in general, but to Yahweh, the God of the Bible! Our success and blessing is not due to general conditions, or other gods or philosophies, but to HIM!
— “with my whole heart” – no half-hearted thanks; no rote or routine. If we are not thankful from our hearts, then we need to go back and review again what the Lord has really done for us!
— “in the company of the upright; in the congregation” – this means in publicly; in church and other opportunities to share with others. This glorifies God in their eyes, and is a witness, a ministry, and a challenge to them. It is important that we do not keep our thanksgiving to ourselves — but share it publicly!
In Psalm 119:108 the Psalmist prays: “O accept the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me Your ordinances.”
In Old Testament times, the people of Israel were commanded to offer a number of different offerings: the lamb for Passover, the daily sacrifices at the temple, etc. But one of the offerings was a “freewill offering.” Continue reading
Psalm 119:65 is a verse which all of God’s saints can bear witness to; there is not one who cannot: “You have dealt well with Your servant, O LORD, according to Your word.”
— Those who currently feel satisfied with provision God has given them will quote it gratefully: every saint after a good meal, or enjoying his home and provisions, or a sweet prayer and worship time — and especially those who realize that it is only by God’s mercy that they are saved. There are none of us who “deserve” forgiveness or salvation — but God was “rich in mercy” as Ephesians 2:4 says. He has certainly dealt well with His servants! But there are others, perhaps surprisingly, who will testify of God’s good dealings as well:
The holidays are upon us, and so Thanksgiving, Christmas shopping — and of course football! — are the focus of “The Little Condo” this week. Cheryl & I began our Christmas shopping one day last week, and we made a day of it. We had a great time, with more than a few smiles:
— At a cooking store, I saw a garlic peeler, and it had directions on the box: “Insert garlic and roll on table with hand. Skin will fall off.” I thought, “Hopefully that is referring to the skin on the GARLIC, not on your hand!” Continue reading
I'm a retired Southern Baptist pastor of almost 40 years. My wife Cheryl & I moved to Norman, OK in March of 2025. I share a weekly overview for Sunday School teachers of the weekly Lifeway "Explore the Bible" lesson, as well as texts of my sermons and other articles.
shawnethomas 