REFECTIONS ON THE GOODNESS OF GOD- PART ONE Thanksgiving is more than just a day. “In all things, give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you.” (I Thessalonians 5:18 Geneva Bible) Thanksgiving Day is so much more than just meat and drink. “For the kingdom of God, is not meat nor drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the holy Ghost.” (Romans 14:17 Geneva Bible) Any day is so much more than just giving thanks. “Let no man therefore condemn you in meat and drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days, Which are but a shadow of things to come: but the body is in Christ.” ( Colossians 2:16-17 Geneva Bible) So we see that the wholeness of thanksgiving starts with our spirit, flows thru God’s Spirit and enters into our bodily functions here on earth in relation to Christ and the world around us. God’s Spirit is the center and medium thru which people can only communicate to one another in harmony with Christ. Note Colossians 3:13-15: “And you which were dead in sins, and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, forgiving you all your trespasses, And putting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, he even took it out of the way, and fastened it upon the cross, And hath spoiled the Principalities, and Powers, and hath made a show of them openly, and hath triumphed over them in the same cross.” The Word of God gives us so much to be thankful for. Let’s meditate on the goodness contained therein. When I think about thanksgiving, I think about giving thanks for reading God’s Word everyday. It is a blessing to receive the Truth not only in Word but also in Person: “Jesus said unto him, I am that Way, and that Truth, and that Life. No man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” ( John 14:6 Geneva Bible) Jesus is that Truth which is personified thru His doctrine in the life and heart of the believer. “Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. He that speaketh of himself, seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.” ( John 7:16-18 Geneva Bible) It is also a blessing to sing and play an instrument while seeing a bird dance to your music. As I was finishing an original song I wrote, a bird began to walk back and forth briskly several times as if he was dancing. It was a beautiful sight to see. So I prolonged it a little longer as I watched in astonishment. That little bird blessed my heart and I was very thankful for that shared experience. When we begin to grow old and cold, let’s seek God’s warmth and renewal. “ Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest O Israel, My way is hid from the Lord, and my judgment is passed over of my God? Knowest thou not? or hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord hath created the ends of the earth? he neither fainteth, nor is weary: there is no searching of his understanding. But he giveth strength unto him that fainteth, and unto him that hath no strength, he increaseth power. Even the young men shall faint, and be weary, and the young men shall stumble and fall. But they that wait upon the Lord, shall renew their strength: they shall lift up the wings, as the eagles: they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:27-31 Geneva Bible) 11/23/17 Anonymous author