The Bethlen Home Messenger, 1996 (1-3. szám)
1996-09-01 / 3. szám
"Have no anxiety, but in everything make your requests known to God in prayer, with thanksgiving. Then the peace of God, which is beyond our utmost understanding, will keep guard over your hearts and your thoughts, in Christ Jesus." These words are part of a letter written by the apostle Paul to his Christian friends in the little city of Philippi. The entire letter is really a message of farewell, his last "will and testament". He was a prisoner in Rome, awaiting the trial of his case, with a very probable end in a death sentence. His time in this life was short. Of all the congregations he founded - many of them in important centers of the ancient world, like Ephesus, Corinth, Thessalonica, - his memory took him back to the very first place where he preached the Gospel of Jesus on European soil - to Philippi amidst the ragged mountains of Macedonia. What shall he write to them? He opened his heart and shared his most personal, innermost thoughts with them: nay, not words of complaints over his fate, not words of fear and dejection, but a most moving testimony of his unshakable faith in Christ, an amazing display of courage and firm conviction, saying: whether in my life, or in my death, - Christ shall be glorified. "Have no Anxiety" - he pleads with them. Your lives are in the hands of God. And God is our loving, caring heavenly father. He will give you a peace of mind, which the world cannot give and cannot take away. The calm, comforting serenity it gives you is beyond all human understanding. No power on earth can ever separate us from the love of God! Keep this in your mind; remember this, even in the darkest hours of life. Do know that God hears your prayers! Amidst all the temptations to be discouraged - count your blessings every day, and be grateful, give Him thanks "in everything" - no matter how dark and hopeless the present moment seems to be. Always remember: all things, - joys and sorrows, victories and defeats, good health or illness, - all things work together for good to them, who love God. Yes, the "outer man"- our physical nature is in decline, becomes frail and burdensome, but our "inner man"- our real self - is renewing day-by-day! The thought of the flesh is death, but the thought of the soul is life and peace! Live everyday in the presence of God. Learn from Jesus - for He is meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest unto your souls. Give thanks that through Jesus you are a child of God, that the almighty Lord of heaven and earth is your Father. His eternal goodness abides with you, - in this life, and in the life to come. Dear God, my Father in Heaven, help me today to remember your gifts in my life with a grateful heart, with sincere thanksgiving. Let my words, my thoughts say to everyone around me that I am at peace with them, and with myself, because you have given me your peace. In Jesus's name I pray, Amen. By: Rev. Nicholas Novak THANKSGIVING - IN THE SHADOW OF DEATH?
