Pastor Mike: Veterans Day
Greetings Everyone,
As we approach Veterans Day and Thanksgiving Day, it is appropriate
to think about all of the good things we have. Sometimes it is hard to
recognize how lucky we really are to live in this wonderful community
and
great country. We have so many good things surrounding us but yet it
seems
that often we want more, much more.
We should never forget or take for granted the sacrifices that have
been made so that we can live as we do. Through the years many people
have
made the ultimate sacrifice and died for our country. Many others have
fought
in wars and served in the military to defend our freedoms. All of these
people need to be remembered and thanked, especially this time of year
when
we pause to think about the sacrifices of so many for us.
All that we have as Americans comes because of the hard work and
efforts of the people that came before us. History tells the stories of
all
of the things that have occurred to get us to this place. Not everything
that has happened has been good but it is the mix of the good and the
not-so-good that makes us who we are as individuals and as a country.
The same holds true for all who are Christians. The forgiveness we
have from our sins was bought at a price. Jesus Christ died on a cross
so
that sin and evil would be defeated. He arose from the dead and is in
Heaven, showing all that death and destruction was not the end of the
story. Jesus paid the price so that we could have eternal life with Him
if
we will accept him as our Lord and Savior.
We are blessed beyond measure. What you might ask is a blessing?
The
dictionary defines blessing in many ways, but the one I want us to think
about says "a blessing is a favor or gift bestowed by God." Think about
that for a moment. Have you received a gift or favor from God? Have you
received something you don't really deserve, something that is so good
but
something you couldn't afford to buy? Blessings come in many forms and
they come from God Almighty.
The biggest gift mankind has received is our Lord Jesus Christ. We
cannot buy our salvation nor can we earn it. Our salvation is a gift
from
God. All we have to do is accept it. Why would Jesus die on the cross?
Why,
why, why? It is because He loves each of us. He loves us so much that he
came down from Heaven, lived as a person like us, died on the cross and
then arose to return to Father God. The main thing to remember is that
we
didn't ask for and it can't be bought. Salvation is a gift paid for on
the
cross by Jesus.
Jesus loves us, me and you, so very much. He gives us the
opportunity
to receive eternal life, but He gives us so much more. When we pause and
think about all of the good things we have, we need to acknowledge that
God
has been responsible for many of them, if not all. We are blessed with
family and friends. My church family is a blessing as I'm sure yours is.
We
each have so much to be thankful for. We are blessed with so much beyond
our wildest dreams.
As we celebrate Veterans Day and Thanksgiving. I hope you will
count
your blessings and realize that it is not luck that got us here. It is
the
bountiful blessings of God and the sacrifices of many, especially Jesus
Christ, that allows us the freedoms that we have. Blessings to all.
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