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Deut. 16:9-17. Story A man went hunting. Heard a noise behind him. Turned around – a ferocious mountain bear. Tried to shoot but gun jammed. Started to run. Bear started to chase. Came to the edge of a cliff. Hunter knelt down and prayed. “Lord, I pray this bear
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Story • A man went hunting. • Heard a noise behind him. • Turned around – a ferocious mountain bear. • Tried to shoot but gun jammed.
Started to run. • Bear started to chase. • Came to the edge of a cliff. • Hunter knelt down and prayed. • “Lord, I pray this bear is a Christian.”
Opened his eyes. • Saw the bear praying too. • “Lord, bless this food I am about to partake.”
There is a mention of 3 feasts in Scripture. • The feast of the Passover, the feast of Weeks and the feast of Tabernacle. (Exo.23:14-16) • Deut.16:16 – “They must appear.”
Today’s passage talks about celebrating the Festival of harvest. • God had fulfilled His promises and gave them land – Deut.1:8 • No longer were they living in tents but in homes.
God has kept His word, has moved powerfully and wonderfully – Deut. 7:7-9 • We are going to look at four words that will help us in giving thanks.
Why should we remember to give thanks? • Because God loves a celebration • The Psalms are full of celebration. • Psalm 100; 136
The kingdom of God celebrates. • Jesus loves a real good praise and worship time – Luke 17:11-19
We need to recognize that God has blessed us. • How? • By giving a freewill offering. • God by His loving and merciful hand has given us so much.
We live in a country of abundance. • We need to look at our own heart and count the blessings. • Are you withholding or complaining to give?
2 Cor.9:7 – Give cheerfully. • Acts 2:45 – Give sacrificially. • From day One – Gen. 1:27 -28 we were created in God’s image and blessed by Him. • Remember, our God is a God blessing. • Gen.12:1-3- Bless the whole world.
Are you asking –”What is there to rejoice about”? • If you read the newspaper or hear the news, you experience stress.
Story. • Sadhu Sundar Singh –explains how God uses our burdens and heavy pressures. • Traveling by foot through the Himalayas with a Buddhist monk. • Very cold. Night was approaching.
Needed to reach the monastery before dark. • Heard a cry for help. • Saw a man – fallen and badly hurt. • Monk told Sadhu – “Do not stop.” • Goes down to help.
Man’s leg was broken. • Makes a sling with his blanket. • Ties the man to his back. • Began a body torturing climb to the monastery.
Sees the light of the monastery. • But stumbles and nearly falls. • There was an object in the snow. • It was the body of the monk – frozen to death.
Years later, a disciple asked Sadhu, “What is life’s most difficult task?” • Sadhu replied, “To have no burden to carry.” • Rejoice that there is a burden to carry.
You will never know why He has given you burdens. • They may turn out to be a “blessing in disguise.”
Today’s passage was a reminder that God had rescued the Israelites. • He had brought them out of slavery into freedom. (Deut.2:7) • God had brought them out with a mighty hand and He can do it again.
Remember the words of Jesus: • “Do this in remembrance of me.” • See how God has been with you. • Re-experience God’s salvation today.
As you hear these four words: • “Celebrate, Give, Rejoice, Remember.” > Remember the grace, the love and the joy.