GPS Guide – November 29, 2019
THANKSGIVING
Friday
Read: Philippians 4:4-7
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (NIV Philippians 4:4-7)
Study: The apostle Paul wrote Philippians from prison. He didn’t have a Thanksgiving holiday for which to prepare, of course. But it seems likely he would have loved this holiday! “Be glad in the Lord always! Again I say, be glad!…bring up all of your requests to God in your prayers and petitions, along with giving thanks,” he wrote from a dark Roman cell. Paul was either hopelessly naïve or filled with divine wisdom. He had learned his approach to life from Israel’s psalms and prophets. Why not try out that approach to life, or build it more fully into your way of life? As you prepare for Thanksgiving, “be glad in the Lord,” and “bring up all of your requests to God in your prayers and petitions, along with giving thanks.” See how doing that consistently shapes your thoughts and feelings, and your interactions with others. See if you don’t find greater gratitude and peace.
Prayer: Loving God, build in my heart and mind that confidence rooted in hope. Help me to offer you deeply heartfelt thanks this holiday season, rooted not in this broken world but in your unfailing love and goodness. Amen.