Faith For What?

Beloved,

As we have begun this Thanksgiving season, let us reflect on the reasons that we have to give thanks.

We should be thankful for the ability to rise on a given day and see the sun in the sky. We should be thankful that we have the opportunity to use our time and talents in ways that we choose. We should be thankful for our health.

We should be thankful for our jobs. We should be thankful for the ways in which our material needs are being met on a daily basis. We should be thankful for our wealth.

We should be thankful for our families. We should be thankful for our friends. We should be thankful for our relationships.

But, is there more to it than that?

All of these things for which we can and should be thankful are a part of the creative order, an order created by God.

So, if we are thankful for these things, is that a back-handed way of praising our God who allows us to have all of these thankful things and people in our lives?

Let us be overtly thankful for what God has given us.

And, what God has given us is not solely or completely captured in earthly people, places or things.

It is captured in our faith.

And, what is our faith for?

1 Peter 3:8-9 says,

"Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls."

Is that it? Is that what this is all about? Yes,it is.

Faith for what? Faith for salvation of our eternal, immortal souls.

And, salvation is found in who and what? Salvation is found in Jesus the Christ.

In the name of Jesus, we approach God who has given us salvation in the same Jesus.

Now, that is something to be thankful for.

As we go through the holiday season, look at it as the Holy Day season as we approach the day that we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.

Our faith is for and in Him.

We will begin a new Bible Study this evening on the Advent season, the season of the birth of the Christ, Jesus.

It will gladden your heart, stimulate your mind, and elevate your soul.

Seek to be there with us and, as always, invite somebody to come with you, perhaps a current church member or someone who is not (yet) a member of our wonderful, loving, growing church family at Zion Memorial.

I love you and am anticipating a good time studying God's word with you tonight.

Be blessed,

Rev. Cain P.S. The phone system at church went down and we are not able to receive inbound or make outbound calls. That should be fixed today. But, I am unable to use the phone tree until it is repaired. So, please make sure people know to contact Brother Kenny Inzar about transportation and make sure all know we are having Bible Study tonight. Thank you for your help.