November 2024
First Baptist, in this season of being thankful, I direct your attention to Psalm 136:1
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His loving kindness is everlasting.’
We have in this psalm a history of God’s mercy to His people. As you read the entire psalm, you will notice that the phrase ‘for His loving kindness is everlasting’ appears in all 26 verses.
This sentence is magnified above all the truths that concern God. His mercy and loving kindness are of supreme importance to all humanity. This is what God glories in most, and what we, as His children, should also glory in the most.
The first 3 verses of Psalm 136 begin with the words, ‘Give thanks to the Lord,’ and the psalm ends in verse
26 with the words ‘Give thanks to the God of heaven.’ Do you see a pattern here?
We should give thanks to God not because He DOES good, but because He IS good. God is merciful, and that mercy endures forever. God is also filled with loving kindness, which is likewise everlasting.
When we reflect on God’s everlasting love, how does it inspire us to praise Him? Can we see, experience, and
share in God’s love, mercy, and kindness all around us? How often do we take the time to be thankful for all
God has done, is doing, and will continue to do for us? When we think of the everlasting love of God as our Redeemer, how does that translate into our praises for Him?
As we read through Psalm 136, we observe how much God did for His people, Israel. Does God do any less for us today? Doesn’t He still deliver us from evil and the temptations of this world? Despite our complaints and
grumblings, doesn’t he continue to give us favor and blessings? Isn’t it true that we sometimes take for granted what we have, and are given each day? Our lives are too often built around expectations and our deserving of things/rewards for hard work, etc. But how often do we just stop and think about all that God has already provided for us?
If we profess to be true, born-again Christians, then we already have the greatest act of mercy and loving
kindness God has provided; His Son Jesus Christ. When is the last time you just thanked God for what He did
for us through His Son on Calvary’s cross? First Baptist, at this time of year, and in this month of thankfulness, let me encourage you to read Psalm 136 in its entirety, and continue to thank God for all He is doing in
your life.
Pastor Thomas
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October 2024
Is Jesus Your Strength Today?
Philippians 4:13 – ‘I can do all things through Him who strengths me.’
Where do we find true strength in our day-to-day living? Is it in the food we eat? Is it in the vitamins and
supplements we take to keep our bodies strong? Is it the exercises and workouts we do to help keep us in shape?
While all these things are beneficiary and necessary for healthy living, our real strength comes from Almighty God!
When we are facing a crisis, who can we turn to? When life seems unfair, when we are down with a serious
illness, when situations are going against us, where can we find courage and strength?
The apostle Paul faced many challenges in his life. No one was more persecuted in his time than he was. Yet, through it all, he could boldly proclaim that Jesus gave him the strength to endure, to face hostility, hatred, and
to keep moving forward despite those who were coming against him so frequently.
Paul's mindset was such that he could declare in Philippians 4:11-12 – ‘Not that I speak from want, for I
have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means,
and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.’ Yes, we can only ‘do all things through Him (Christ) who strengthens me.’ When we find ourselves overwhelmed, isolated, facing problems, a crisis, or an emergency, there is One we can turn to for strength. His name is Jesus Christ. Consider these verses: Exodus 15:2 – ‘The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation; This is my God, and I will praise Him; My father’s God, and I will extol Him.’
Psalm 28:7 – ‘The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, and with my song I shall thank Him.’
Psalm 46:1 – ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.’
First Baptist, I pray that Jesus Christ is your strength today, and every day!
Pastor Thomas