Unchanging Reasons for Thanksgiving

“I will never leave thee nor forsake thee”  (Hebrew 13:5)

I - Our  Savior  – We thank God for His ABIDING presence. This is one of the reasons not to change our way of always thanking God. Because He did not leave nor forsake us.  He said “and lo, I am with you alway even unto the end of the world.” (Matthew 28:20).  “Fear thou not for I am with thee.. I will strengthen thee...I will help thee...I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”(Isaiah 41:10). We thank God for His ASSISTING presence.  He is a loving, faithful, wise and active helper. “The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” (Hebrews 13:6). And we thank God for His ANCHORING presence. “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.”  (Hebrews 13:8).

II – Our Salvation – Jesus is the PRICE to redeem our salvation.  “Wherefore that Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered without the gate.’ (Hebrews 13:12).  “For by grace are you saved through faith and not of yourselves, not of works lest any man should boast.”  (Ephesians 2:8-9). GRACE means God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Jesus suffered PAIN  when He said :“this is my body which is given for you.” (Luke 22:19-20). “They put crown of thorns upon His head.” (Matthew 27:29).  All these He did PURPOSELY to sanctify us. “That He might sanctify the people.” (Hebrews 13:12).  We gain POSITION in our salvation. “ Therefore there is now  no condemnation to them which are Christ Jesus.”  (Romans 8:1). “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” (John 10:28). We are always PROGRESSIVE in our faith. “But grow in grace, in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”  (2 Peter 3:18). And we were finally PERFECTED. “In whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with Holy Spirit of promise” (Ephesians 1:13).

III- Our Sanctuary – We thank God because He promised us our permanent place in heaven not any city of the world.  “For here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come.” (Hebrews 13:14). Heaven is a GENUINE place.  Heaven is a REAL place. “In my father’s house are many mansions if it were not so I would have told.” (John 14:2).  Heaven is a RESIDING place.  “ I go to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:3).  Heaven is a RESTING place.  “Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord, that they may rest from their labours.” (Revelation 14:13). Heaven is GLORIOUS place  In its BEAUTY and BLESSINGS and in the PRESENCE with God. “God is with men, and he will dwell with them.”  (Revelation 21:3).  Heaven is guarded from SORROW.  Note the words “No More.” No more sea, no more sadness, no more sleep (death), no more suffering, no more sundown (night). “And God shall wipe away all tears  from their eyes;  and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither there shall be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”  (Revelation 21:4).

(From Rev. Teofilito Arevalo Rufon’s Sunday Worship Messages)