Vincent Van Gogh once said, “Close friends are truly life’s treasures. Sometimes they know us better than we know ourselves. With gentle honesty, they are there to guide and support us, to share our laughter and our tears. Their presence reminds us that we are never really alone.” One of God’s greatest gifts is friendship. For He never intends us to walk alone. We all have burdens to bear in this life. Burdens too heavy to bear alone. Jesus is our great burden bearer. When our loads become overwhelming, He is there to see us through. And the care, comfort, support, and love and extends to us daily, we should be extending to others. For we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. And we all need each other’s help in this life. So out of thankfulness for the love and friendship of Jesus, let us example our Lord and, “while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people.” (Galatians 6:10)
With the dawn of each morning, comes the gift of another day on this earth. Another day to spend with those that we love, and to work for God’s glory. And although we may not know what the day ahead holds, God does. So we can give thanks knowing whether it is one filled with joy and laughter, or tears and pain, we won’t face it alone. But there is another day for which we should rejoice. The glorious day the Lord made when He gave His life on the Cross. On that glorious day, Jesus claimed victory over His enemies, defeated death forever, and fulfilled perfectly the Law of God. So now, as children of the most high God, every day is day the Lord has made. And we will rejoice and be glad in it. Because God has redeemed, rescued, and saved us. And each day He gives us is filled with His never ending love!
Some scholars say that back in Peter’s time, being called a Christian was used as an insult by unbelievers. But we know there is nothing more wonderful than being known as a follower of Christ. And what an honor it is to suffer for Jesus’ sake. For one day, His glory will be revealed to all. And every knee will bow, every mouth confess Him as Lord. So any pain we experience as a Christian, we will do so thankfully, boldly, and without shame. Because nowhere do we resemble Christ more than when we endure hardship for His name and glory. In a world that tries to remove God from everything, Christian’s will face mockery, abuse, and even death. But oh the rewards we will receive when we stand before the Lord as overcomers. For just as we share in Christ’s suffering, we will share in His glory!
God did not design us to be anxious or worried. In His Sermon on the Mount Jesus told the crowds, “Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’….Do not worry about tomorrow.” (Matt. 6:31,34) …
Each day overflows with blessings from God. And it’s easy to be thankful for the ones we can tangibly see and feel. But are we just as thankful for the daily blessings we don’t see? Blessings such as food, clothing, shelter, and safety. Blessings we can so easily take for granted. Each day whether we are coming or going, the Lord is always behind the scenes, baring our burdens along the way. For His work wasn’t finished at the Cross. Even now, Jesus stands at the right hand of Father, interceding on our behalf. He fights for against our enemies, and cares about the poor, afflicted, and downtrodden. Never once do we face a single day on this earth alone. Not when we have Jesus as our Lord and Savior. For as the song says, “What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear. What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.”
Winsome Sears made history after becoming the first black woman ever to be elected the lieutenant governor-elect of Virginia. She celebrated her victory alongside Governor-elect Youngkin, telling those at the election night watch party that she is living “the American dream.” “God bless you,” she said at the end of her speech, thanking her staff for their tireless efforts. “We ran an impossible, improbable campaign. God was exactly with us, otherwise we would never have made it. And so I want to finish up by thanking you, Jesus. How sweet it is!” Read more about her victory here.
Virginia Mega-Pastor Arrested For Soliciting Sexual Relations From Minors
A Virginia megachurch pastor was one of 17 people arrested in a recent 2-day sting operation set up by local law enforcement to identify individuals soliciting sexual relations from minors. On the list was 51-year-old Virginia Beach pastor John Blanchard of Rock Church International in Virginia Beach. “The suspects arranged to meet them at a location to have sexual relations. When the suspects came to the location, they were met by police and arrested,” said the Chesterfield police department. Blanchard has been charged with “felony solicitation of prostitution and use of a vehicle to promote prostitution.” Read more about the arrest here.
Mom Killed By Stray Bullet While Reading Bible To Daughter
The family of an Illinois woman who was shot and killed while reading the Bible to her daughter says they are clinging to their faith in Jesus, knowing they will see her again in heaven. The mother, Melanie Yates, only 23, was shot and killed in her home by what police say was a stray bullet fired from the street. She was reading the Bible to their 7-month-old daughter, Lydia, in their home when she was struck. She was taken to the hospital, where she died. Melanie’s mother, Lam Calderon, said that Melanie often read Scripture to her children. The family has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for Daniel and their two children. More than $140,000 has been raised. Read more about the tragedy here.
Video Of Dancing Dad Celebrating Son’s Cancer Free Diagnosis Goes Viral
A New Jersey dad caught the internet’s attention celebrating his son being cancer free. Kennith Allen Thomas’ TikTok video called “when your son is cancer free” had more than 1.3 million views as of Nov. 2. “When my son was diagnosed with leukemia I said ‘There’s no way this disease is going to kill my son,'” Thomas said. And so the father son duo posted daily duo dancing videos. Dancing daily with Kristian lifted both of their spirits. And even though the boy was cancer free in just 300 days, the father-son duo have been celebrating with dance parties every month ever since, because that’s a victory that never gets old. Read about their victory over cancer here.
When my son was seven, his classroom did a project where all the children were able to write and publish their own story. And the smile on his face when the finished book arrived in the mail, was one I’ll never forget. He beamed with pride as saw his name as author and illustrator. God too has a book. The book of life. And we will beam with thankfulness over our names being found in it. The “book of life”, is also called “the scroll of life” or “book of remembrance.” And in it contains the names of the people who are to receive the gift of everlasting life. The greatest memoir of all, God has written the names of those He calls His own in a book since the “founding of the world.” (Rev. 17:8) Those who have trusted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. And how very thankful are we to know we are in God’s book. For we will be clothed in righteousness and dwell with the most high God forever!
I’ve always known God, and from an early age trusted Jesus as my Savior. But I still was always running in circles and going nowhere fast. I had no direction in life, made destructive choices, and wandered in darkness. And it was only when I was tired of being lost and broken that I truly gave it all to the Lord. Life is hard. I mean really hard. But thankfully, we don’t have to face it alone. Because we have a heavenly Father who is always reaching out a hand for His children to grasp. A hand that will lovingly guide, protect, and direct our steps perfectly on the path of life. When we acknowledge God by consulting Him with every decision and honoring Him in every area of our lives, He promises to lead our footsteps to victory. For me some days it’s still one step forward and two steps back. But I know that when I first seek God’s wisdom, I’ll never get lost. And that fills my heart with thankfulness!
The Chosen Christmas Special Breaking Ticket Sales Records
The Christmas special for “The Chosen,” the first-ever multi-season television show about Jesus, has already broken Fathom Events’ record with $1.5 million in sales in the first 12 hours. “Christmas with The Chosen: The Messengers,” which features actors from “The Chosen” series, airs in theaters on Dec. 1 and Dec. 2. Just hours after tickets went on sale during a livestream with show creator Dallas Jenkins Tuesday night, pre-sale records were shattered for the distributor. Through the Christmas special, creators hope the viewers will connect with the Gospel personally, whether through song or the spoken word. Read more about the special here.
Florida Elementary School Slammed For Filed Trip To Gay Bar
Local parents are upset that a Florida elementary school took students on a field trip to a gay restaurant and bar. Sarah Leonardi, who serves on the Board of Education for Broward County Schools in South Florida posted on Facebook, “I was SO honored to be invited to chaperone Wilton Manors Elementary’s field trip to the incredible Rosie’s!” The post included photos of the group sitting at tables, coloring pictures of pumpkins, and posing in front of the restaurant’s sign. The field trip received criticism from conservatives, who pointed to the excursion as the latest example of schools trying to force leftist ideology onto children. Read more about the trip here.
Biden Says The Pope Called Him A Good Catholic
President Joe Biden told reporters on Friday (Oct. 29) that when he met with Pope Francis earlier in the day, the pontiff told the president he was a “good Catholic” and should continue taking Communion. The pope’s alleged remarks constitute an apparent rejection of some conservative Catholics in the U.S., including some U.S. bishops, who have suggested Biden be denied the Eucharist because of his support for abortion rights. Biden said that he and the pope did not discuss abortion during their record-setting, more than an hour-long visit earlier in the day. Vatican officials did not immediately respond to a request to confirm the account. Read more about the visit here.
80 Year Old Man Fights Off Bear With Fists
Norman Ruff had seen signs of bears before around his cottage near Port Carling in Muskoka. Garbage cans knocked over. Bird feeders knocked off. But he had never actually spotted one. Until a black bear trapped in his kitchen woke up the 80-year-old man and his wife, Lois. Ruff said he punched the bear several times on the nose. Ruff had managed to open the front door during the altercation and the bear eventually found his way out. The Ontario Provincial Police this week presented Ruff with a Citation for Bravery. He was taken to the hospital in Bracebridge where he underwent surgery for injuries to his thumb, and rabies shots. Read more about this brave man here.
Did you know the word “praise” appears approximately 248 times in the Bible? The Hebrew word for “praise” is used to acknowledge the greatness of God and the goodness of His character. And in this life, it is only the Lord who is truly worthy of such esteem and adoration. Because of His amazing love and grace, we joyfully drink of the living water from the well of salvation. A salvation we can never earn, and one that is given freely to all. And out of hearts of gratitude, that living water should be flowing from us to a thirsty world desperately in need of God. We should be shouting from the rooftops of God’s love, mercy, and blessings. Our lips should constantly be singing the praises of the Lord and exalting His great name. And out of deep gratitude for all He gives to us, those who are worthy of nothing, we should put Him first in every thought, word, and action.
