Because Everyday is Thanksgiving

My dad preached a sermon similar to this on Sunday, and I wanted to share this with everyone in hopes that someone will receive a blessing from it. 

We hear all the time about how we should be thankful for the things that we have, and for what God has provided us with. But do we really consider the sacrifices that God and Jesus made for us so that we can have the things that are taken for granted everyday? Here are just a few of those great blessings that we could never be thankful enough for. 

God sent His Son: John 3:16- "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

I couldn't imagine how hard it was for God to give His own son to die. Thinking about it, it hurts to know that God had to watch Jesus die. It's hard to imagine the selflessness that God had when He did this, and that He still has. God loves Jesus more than we can imagine, though, He was willing to give the one He loves so dear for us to be able to have salvation. We could never fully understand this great sacrifice. 

Jesus freely gave His life: 1 John 3:16 - "Hereby perceive we the love [of God], because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down [our] lives for the brethren."

Although God gave Jesus to die on the cross, Jesus had to be willing, which He was. I don't know many people that would be willing to give up their own life for others. I know that it would be very hard for me to do so. Our flesh is so protective of our life that we hate the thought of dying, while Jesus did the ultimate selfless action, which was giving up His life so that others could live. The love that Jesus felt for us led Him to have no hesitation to die for us, and it could never be compared to anything else in the universe. 

Jesus provides salvation: Mark 16:16 - "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."

Because Jesus died on the cross, we have the choice of salvation. Jesus allows us to choose whether to accept Him or not. Because of His sacrifice, the world has a new hope. If we only ask, Jesus will come into our hearts, make us new, and give us eternity in Heaven. 
While on Earth, God is with us: Joshua 1:9 - "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God [is] with thee whithersoever thou goest."

It is impossible to get away from God. Even if we wanted to get away from Him, we can't. He follows us everywhere we go, and keeps us safe. He sees us everywhere we go, and provides us with safety and a friendship above all others. Whether we are in a room with a hundred people or we are in a room with no one else, we are never alone. No matter how many people we are surrounded by, God will be the most important. 

God guides us: Psalms 32:8 - "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye."

We would all be so lost today without God's guidance. God knows all about our futures, therefore, He knows exactly what paths that we need to take. Alone, we would make awful mistakes concerning our presents and futures, but because God is all knowing, we have the opportunity to choose the right path. 

God provides: Philippians 4:19 - "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

While on this Earth, God said that He would provide for us. This means that He will provide us with our needs; food, water, shelter, and so on. God cares for us, and if we live by Him, we will never truly be poor. 

God gives hope: Psalms 39:7 - "And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope [is] in thee."

In the world, there is a lot of troubles and tragedies that occur. It's easy to get down about the things that are going on, but we have a hope for the future that is greater than anything that this world could give us. Because this world is full of sin, it will never be home for a truly saved person. Those that are saved has a home where God is number one, where there is no sickness, sin, death, or sadness. 

Jesus is coming back: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 - "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first."

What joy we should have as we anticipate the coming back of our Savior. Sin continues on Earth, but it's soon going to end. No longer will God's children have to endure the hardships of the world. Soon, we will see Jesus appearing in the sky, and He will take us to where there are no hardships. 

God gives us eternal life: John 17:3 - "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."

Not only does God allow us to be saved from Hell, but He gives us a life in Heaven forever and ever. It's very hard for me think about something never ending. Everything that we have ever known has an end; football season, church service, seasons, vacations to Disney World, etc. Heaven is one thing that will never change, and it is the greatest place that could ever exist. 

Today, with Thanksgiving Day in the past, remember the entire reason that we have the opportunity to be thankful. Without God, our lives would be doomed, and we wouldn't have the hope of a better day. There would be no happiness with our families, or a meal on our table. Remember the real reason that we are on this Earth and who has given us the blessings that we have been graciously given. Remember that everyday is a day to give thanks, for God is good every day of every year.

Is Feminism of the Bible?

I looked in the Merriam-Webster dictionary, and it defines feminism as "the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities." That sounds like a pretty fair world, right? The truth of the matter is that God didn't make women and men the same. Sure, both men and women should have the same rights, but God didn't give them the same duties on Earth. 

1. God states that men should have authority of power in church. 

1 Corinthians 14:34-35 - "Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but [they are commanded] to be under obedience, as also saith the law."

1 Timothy 2:12 - "But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence."

This verse lets us know that God ordains men to speak in the church. This means that the man is the only one with the power from God to preach His word. The man should lead the church with God in mind, and women are to stand by the men and support them. Now, I don't believe that women shouldn't have any part in church. There are other ways to be involved rather than preaching; Sunday school and treasury positions for instance, but they shouldn't have esteem authority because God laid that down for the men to have.

2. God states that a woman is under the submission of her husband.

Colossians 3:18 - "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord."

Ephesians 5:23 - "For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body."


God created man as the provider for his family. Since the man is the provider for the family, women are to respect the man and support her husband. Let me just point out that I don't mean that the man has the authority to rule the woman, but he is to lead his family in the right direction without being a dictator. Men has a lot of responsibility on them to give their families a good, successful life, and I think that they deserve credit for working so hard to do so. 

Although, God did give men authority, women are a value that can't be measured. 

1. God states that women are the weaker vessel. 

1 Peter 3:7 - "Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with [them] according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered."


In this verse, God is calling women the weaker vessel physically, which in most cases is true, but this doesn't mean that the woman is any less of value. I read a blog that was speaking about this specific verse, and I was blown away from the example that was used. The person was comparing a tank and a mini-van. The people driving those two vessels can be the two toughest people on Earth, but the mini-van is simply made weaker. Men and women are created differently. Women are like mini-vans in this example; physically weak, and commonly known for carrying children, while men are known for being much stronger physically like a tank, with the ability to use that strength to provide for their family. Men may have the stronger muscles physically, but women also have a great physical aspect, which is being able to carry children. Their bodies are used for different things, which is great! No matter the vessel, it doesn't mean the inside is weak, it's just simply different physical, biological makeup. 

2. The role of women is a great thing, and something to be proud of. 

Proverbs 18:22 - "[Whoso] findeth a wife findeth a good [thing], and obtaineth favour of the LORD."

Proverbs 31:10- "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price [is] far above rubies."

In Proverbs 31, God says a lot of things about the woman. There are quite a few things that women naturally possess that men do not; wonderful things. Here are some of those things:

• The woman provides her husband with love and care, and is loyal.
• The woman continuously works to keep her house in order; providing meals, clothing, etc. for her household. 
• The woman is generous, cares for the needy, speaks kindly, and is wise.
• The woman cares for her children, and leads them in the way of God. 
• She fears God, and puts His law first.

Let's face it; men would be lost without women, just like women would be lost without men. God put us both on this Earth because He knew that we would bring joy to each other, and would help each other in ways that the same gender can't do for one another. Men and women have different duties on this Earth, and that is okay! I'm fully aware that this is the twenty-first century, and women are doing so much more than they used to. I mean, I plan to finish my degree and work, and if I happen to marry someone along the way, I'll accept the position that God has placed me in. Sure, I'll continue to work and accomplish my dreams, but I'm still going to give my future husband the respect and authority of the household that God placed on the man. Women can be more influential and productive in the world without exceeding the position that God gave them.