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God is speaking

 


Sometimes you just know that God is speaking to you.  It is obvious.  You don’t have to question.  In fact you need to stop questions and listen in a bit more.


Yesterday was one of those days for me.  I began a new sermon series at The Community titled “Give THANKS” and spoke from 1 Chronicles 16 of a psalm of thanks from David.  Last night I attended a meeting and heard an awesome sermon by a missions leader.  Guess what passage he used.  It was 1 Chronicles 16.


Stop right there.  I had to ask (and I still and asking) God what He wants me to hear and learn.  I have already come away with a few things.


The message I shared was about deciding to give thanks before other things or people led us away from being thankful.  The missions sermon from the same passage was about the people of God sharing with the world God’s message.  Both have a good foundation in the Scripture.  Both are pretty clear.


I walk away with two verses sticking out for me.  Well, really there are a lot that stick out to me.  You can go watch our church service from yesterday to hear more of it.  But here are the two verses that stick out.


1 Chronicles 16:8  NLT

Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness.  Let the whole world know what he has done.


1 Chronicles 16:34  NLT

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!  His faithful love endures forever.


The first we both used to make a similar point, but what stands out to me is that we are to tell the world.  In the message I heard last night the question was asked, what obligations has God placed on us for our neighbors and nations?  That is huge.  Tell them.  Simply tell them about God and His greatness.


The second verse is powerful.  As I studied it stuck in my mind for several reasons.  The biggest was that this verse is often quoted in and out Scripture.  It has become part of many liturgical readings throughout the years since it was written.  And it is a strong word about our God.


This thanksgiving season leaves us with opportunities to share with others.  Let's tell people about God and let's be thankful.  Make that down.  Make a commitment.  Decide now how you will be thankful when situations and people lead you to be anything but.


Now, as the day and week begins, go spend some time for yourself in 1 Chronicles 16.  God is speaking to me.  I bet He has something for you too.

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