Christian Reflection and Prayer

Yesterday I spoke about how I am thankful for God's
Grace.  The Lord has been so good to me. As I
participate in Thanksgiving there is something I
want to keep in mind.

I must remember, especially today, that there are
492 billionares living in this country.  There are 16
million children living in poverty.  THAT IS NOT RIGHT!
No matter what your faith is, no matter what your
politics are, even if you don't have any faith, even
if you don't claim any politics, THAT IS NOT RIGHT!

This Thanksgiving Day let me remember that there
are 16 million children who have nothing to be
thankful for, that's right nothing.  On this day as
I sit in front of this wonderful meal, with the family I
Iove, let me ask myself "What am I going to do
about all those children"?

Scripture:

When I look at Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which You have set in place,
what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son
of man that You care for him? Psalms 8:3-4

Reflection:

As the psalmist said, "When I look at Your heavens, the
work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You
have set in place, what is man that You are mindful of him?"

Good question, and it is a question for which no one has
a logical answer.

All anyone can say is this: in His power the Lord brought
 into being all that is and ever will be. In His wisdom He
put humankind in charge of His perfect creation and then,
after our sin, in His grace, He decided to save us.

Unbelievable!

The Lord who had made 100 million galaxies, with each
composed of 1 billion suns, has decided that He was willing
to send His Son into this world to carry our sins and die the
death we deserved. Now, because the Lord is mindful of us,
all who are brought to faith in the risen Redeemer are forgiven
and granted eternal life.

Which leads us to the conclusion: the universe is an
impressive thing, but God's grace is more so.

Prayer::

Dear Lord, in Your grace You sent Your Son
to seek and save sinners. Forgive humankind when they think
they know, understand and are empowered to judge You. Let
us see how small we are, how great You are, and how much
we need You. This I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen.

I AM THANKFUL FOR GOD'S GRACE TO ME!!!!! 
THANK YOU LORD

When we sing hymns like “Silent Night” we are reminded that
though God seems silent, God is still at work. God is quietly,
subtly moving in the world. When faced with the difficulties
and pain of living in a world marked by sin, we are reminded
that the darkness does not have the last word, for God’s “light
shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it”
(John 1:5).

This is what it means to have an Advent-shaped faith. It is a
reminder that though we live in a time of waiting, we cling to
the God who fulfills promises at the right time. This is what
gives us courage and endurance. It’s what enables us to
continue to fight the good fight, to continue speaking the
Gospel to those who seem far from God, to work for justice
in a world of lawlessness, to step once more into the mission
field for the “fields are ripe for the harvest” (John 4:35). We are
an Advent people, for we know the God who has come and
who will come again, and that is a hope that will not disappoint.

So sing the songs. Put up the decorations. Light the candles.
Tell the stories. And may you have a blessed Advent as we
await Emmanuel, God with Us. Amen.

( A selection from an article by Nick Price student at Concordia
Seminary in St. Louis in the M.Div program. His blog,
ProdigalPreacher.