Thanksgiving dinner in Leland

Thanks to all the volunteers and the folks at Faith Building Missions for a successful Thanksgiving dinner in Leland.

See article in the StarNews


Pastor Jay Merritt
http://vfwbc.org

Here is the text from the handout we gave at the dinner...

This dinner is brought to you, in the name of Jesus who is the Christ. Without Jesus, we would not be here serving and you would not be enjoying this fine dinner.

Jesus, we thank you. Give thanks.

The pilgrims, who came to this country seeking religious freedom, came because of Jesus. They sat down with their neighbors and friends and gave thanks.

Jesus, we thank you. Give thanks.

Abraham Lincoln, a follower of Jesus, proclaimed the last Thursday of November, “a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens”, in 1863.

Jesus, we thank you. Give thanks.

Why don’t we thank God every day? When we choose NOT to give thanks, our relationship with God is broken. Paul spoke of this, and it reminds me of our world today… “although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools… Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie…” Sounds like our world doesn’t it.

Jesus spoke of a dinner where a person invited all the rich and powerful to come and eat, so that they would have to repay with a favor. He said “don’t do that.” Instead, he said to invite people who cannot repay, and “And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”

Jesus spoke of another dinner, a wedding supper. The father invited many to come and eat and celebrate. When the time came, he sent his servants to tell everyone the meal was ready. “But they all with one accord began to make excuses” as to why they could not come. So he sent his servants and invited strangers to the feast.

There are many who signed up for this Thanksgiving supper, who missed it for one reason or another. The last book of the Bible speaks of a supper in heaven that we don’t want to miss. We are all invited, but many will make an excuse, so others will come in their place. It is the celebration of the Lamb of God – Jesus who is the Christ – a celebration with those who believe in Him.

Remember what thanksgiving is all about.

Remember to accept your invitation, so that you can be included in the greatest celebration of thanksgiving. ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ ‘Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory…’

Jesus, I believe in you. Forgive me for my unbelief. I give thanks.

If you want to know more, please ask one of the hosts for more information.