Something that I have been noticing and thinking in resent years is how much people are forget the true  meaning of Thanksgiving. We into our local stores, or online and what do we see? Black Friday ads or people talking about the next special deals, but what about Thanksgiving. What happened to keeping Thursday for Thanksgiving only? It is sad to think that it could soon be Black Thursday. The saddest part is that our country is turning more away from God everyday. My pray is that God would save our nations leaders and that our country would turn back to God. Although our country is in turmoil I am still thankful that we have the freedom of religion and speech! When doing some research on thanksgiving I can accrost this artical:

  "Meaning of Thanksgiving - Praise to GodIn the Bible, the meaning of thanksgiving reflected adoration, sacrifice, praise, or an offering. Thanksgiving was a grateful language to God as an act of worship. Rarely, if ever, was thanksgiving extended to any person or thing, except God. “These things I remember as I pour out my soul; how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng” (Psalm 42:4). Long before the colonists celebrated their successes, Nehemiah assembled two great choirs to give thanks for God’s faithfulness in rebuilding the wall. “ . . . The Levites were sought out from where they lived and were brought to Jerusalem to celebrate joyfully and dedication with songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, harps, and lyres” (Nehemiah 12:27)." www.allabouthistory.org

"The true meaning of Thanksgiving focuses upon relationship. Thanksgiving is a relationship between God and man. Upon their arrival at New Plymouth, the Pilgrims composed The Mayflower Compact, which honored God. Thanksgiving begins with acknowledging God as faithful, earnestly giving Him thanks, in advance, for His abundant blessings. “. . . In everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6). Thanksgiving is an attitude of the heart that reinforces an intimate relationship with God." www.allabouthistory.org

Happy Thanksgiving! 

~ Kelli Sueppel 

4 things to forget!

"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."  

 Philippians 3:13-14

Sunday night Pastor Vander Hart preached a wonderful message on Philippians 3:13-14. He had four points that were both an Convicting and encouraging to me that I thought I would share! 

I. Forget your past sins! 

Heb. 11:15, "And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned." 

If we focus on our past sin it will soon lose its shameful, and awfulness about it. It will soon start to being a thrill into our heart again. Don't let your mind dwell on those sins of the past! Sin should never lose it's awfulness. God hates sin and does not want us to think about those past sins. 

II. Forget your past enemies! 

The ungodly attitude is to say, "I deserve an apology before I will talk to that person." What about the verse in the Bible that says forgive our debtors? No matter if we get an apology we still need to have that forgiving spirit. We are to act as if nothing ever happened, that is if we are not the offender. Holding things against people will only hurt you and your relationship with God. By choosing to do this we are just driving the Lord Jesus Christ away from us. Don't expect to have a refreshing time in your devotions when you are holding a grudge towards those around. What we owe Christ is huge, then why can't we just forgive? Don't harbor that old grudge. Forget and forgive! 

III. Forget your past defeats! 

We all have been defeated at sometime or another, but it should not keep us from serving God. Many people think if I only was at the top of the mountain I would grow the best. But in reality we grow more spiritually when we are in the mist of the valley. Don't let your past failures bring you down to the point that you cannot serve God. 

IV. Forget your past Victories! 

Christ has promised new victories every single day. So why would we want to look back on those old victories when we have news ones to look forward to. Your ministry might change but it still has victories to be won. Keep moving forward and don't look back! God has brought you and I this far and He's not going to to stop now. Be willing to be led by the Spirit and ask Him to lead in your prayer life, your devotions, and your daily life!  "and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14  

God's Grace

God's grace is more than I ever deserve. He's always one who we can depend on and He's never too busy to listen us. The will of God will never take you where is grace of God will not protect you. This was been a challenge that God was been working in me lately.

"...And we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth." John 1:14 

"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you: that ye always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work." 2 Corinthians 9:8 

Knowing that God offers his grace, why are we then saying, "Lord help us have grace today," rather than saying "Lord please give us your grace for today." An evangelist once described grace as being a number of presents wrapped in your favorite  paper. What do you have to do to receive those presents? ASK!!! This is the same with God; all we have to do ask God for his grace for our daily needs! I found that in my own life that it is so easy to ask and forget and to not fully expect God to answer.  God has been teaching me that I need trust Him to give my His grace for my daily needs, but most of all expect God to do great and mighty things! 

"And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect is weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities. that the power of Christ my rest upon me." 2 Corinthians 12:9

 "For the Lord God is the sun and shield:

 the Lord will give grace and glory: 

no good thing will He withhold from 

them that walk uprightly." Psalm 84:11 

As I was doing this study this song by Carolyn Hamlin helped me think about grace in a different light. Here are the words may this be an encouragement to you as it was to me!  

                                                                    Grace

by Carolyn Hamlin

Lord, as I seek your guidance for the day,

I find my thoughts unyielding: confusion clouds my way,

But, then when I bow to you, the challenges you guide me through,

Your promises are ever new: I claim them for today.

Your will cannot lead me where your grace cannot keep me.

Your hand will protect me: I rest in your care.

Your eyes will watch over me: Your love will forgive me.

And when I am faltering, I still will find you there.

Each new day’s design is guided by your hand,

And graciously revealed as I seek your Master plan.

Keep my footsteps faithful when from you I go.

Return me to the joy that your blessings can bestow.

Your will cannot lead me where your grace cannot keep me.

Your hand will protect me: I rest in your care.

Your eyes will watch over me: Your love will forgive me.

And when I am faltering, I still will find you there.

Your eyes will watch over me,

Your love will forgive me,

And when I am faltering,

Lord, I will find you there.