Psalm 92:1-2* 1 It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: 2 To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night.

Thanksgiving is a favorite time of the year. It is a time set aside by an earlier generation of Godly leaders to remind us of God's blessings on our nation. While it has become a time for gathering with family and friends and celebrating of “Turkey Day” and so many other things we must not forget that the central purpose is to worship God for His bountiful blessings on us. Thankfulness is a recognition that what we enjoy is not just the result of our personal efforts but also of the sacrifice of others on our behalf. Absolutely none of us would be where we are or enjoy the things we have if it were not for what God and others have shared with us.

It comes almost as an understatement for the Psalmist to say, “It is a good thing to give thanks...” By contrast it is a bad thing if we have become so selfish and self-centered that we can not recognize the benefits that we have derived from others. Let us endeavor to always see even the little contributions others make in our lives. We will be the better for it and to live life in a spirit of Thanksgiving and gratefulness can not but make our lives and the lives of others better.

The object of our thanks in this passage is “the LORD.” He is the cause and beginning of everything we have and are. He is worthy of our worship and praise. When we are grateful to Him for what He has done it just follows naturally that we will be thankful for others and their contributions to our success. It is also no accident that the Psalmist mentions singing. Not everyone can sing with a voice that is pleasant but we can always sing with the heart. Paul even expresses it that way in Colossians 3:16, “singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” The purpose of the songs is to “show forth” to others. While private devotion is important it is also very important to be involved in public expression of our thanks. To “show forth” is to reach out beyond ourselves to others in the world who need to hear our witness of God's character.

The Psalmist worships God for two very important aspects of His character. First, we show His lovingkindness. That is a word that is closely akin to our word “grace” in the New Testament. It is obviously a combination of two words “loving” and “kindness.” It expresses the constant benefit bestowed on us every morning as we rise to live in the power and desire of our gracious God. Second, we show His faithfulness every night as we recount the ways God has shown Himself strong on our behalf throughout the day. This idea is expressed in another great passage from Lamentations 3:22-23, "It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."

It ought to be the joy and rejoicing our hearts to sing His praises every morning and evening! May God grant us the wisdom to live lives of constant praise to Him.  O Magnify the LORD with me!

Yes, that's the Book for me!  (From the "Generations Project")

   This is a very special little song. I learned it when I was just a little tot and love it as much now as then. The word Bible literally means “a book” and is often called “the book” my many people. It is the most important book in the world. When we look into its pages we find a wonderful testimony about its contents. It is also called scripture which means “writings.” "And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Timothy 3:15-17. There are many things we learn about the Bible from this one short passage. Notice: Here are a dozen great things we learn about the Bible:

1. It is holy. The Bible is “set aside by God as His.”

2. It can bring us salvation. From sin and death and hell.

3. It does this by giving us faith. Faith is the confidence God has spoken. See, Romans 10:17

4. It tells us of Christ Jesus: God's “anointed Savior.” Christ = Anointed one; Jesus = Savior.

5. It is given to us by none other than God himself. We need not fear His truth.

6. It is inspired. Which means it is the very “breath of God.”

7. It is profitable. It brings increase to life and everything in it.

8. It is doctrine. Which means “teachings.” We need not wonder what God would have us know.

9. It brings reproof. Which means “evidence we can believe.” It is convicting and convincing!

10. It can correct our actions. It helps “straighten us out” when we falter or fail.

11. It is good instruction. It helps us learn in mind and in morals.

12. It makes us perfect. Which means it helps us “reach the goals for which God made us.”

   I call that a “delightful dozen” and guarantee it is sweeter than Krispie Kreme. More can be said of the Bible. The following are a few of the descriptive names for the Word of God taken mostly from Psalms 19 and 119 and is not exhaustive. It is the Law of God, the Testimony of God, the Word of God, the Statues of God, the Judgments of God, the Commandments of God, the Truth of God, the Fear of God, the Way of God, the Faithfulness of God, the Precepts of God, the Surety of God, and the Revelation of God. What a treasure we have. We can hold it in our hands, read it with our eyes, learn it with our minds, believe it with our hearts, walk in it with our feet, and trust it with our lives. It can make us cry, laugh, shout, quietly trust, speak, or be silent, hedge us in, set us free, bind us up, comfort us, enliven us, strengthen us, heal us or condemn us. Rejoice with me in this great book. O Magnify the LORD with me!