Thinking Through It
November 23, 2023

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Thinking Through It

WHAT DO I DO IF I’M NOT THANKFUL? WHAT IF GOD IS NOT GIVING ME ANYTHING TO BE THANKFUL FOR?

Option 1: You’re a legitimate Christian who is tolerating evil in your life, so you are under God’s correction

“5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” …. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” —Hebrews 12:5–6, 11

Option 2: You’re in open rebellion against God

“8 Now I will soon pour out my wrath upon you, and spend my anger against you, and judge you according to your ways, and I will punish you for all your abominations. 9 And my eye will not spare, nor will I have pity. I will punish you according to your ways, while your abominations are in your midst. Then you will know that I am the Lord, who strikes. 10 Behold, the day! Behold, it comes! Your doom has come; the rod has blossomed; pride has budded.” —Ezekiel 7:8–10

ARE YOU THE KIND OF PERSON GOD WOULD BLESS?

“1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. 4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; 6 for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.” —Psalm 1:1–6

“5 Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. 6 He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. 7 Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. 8 He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”” —Jeremiah 17:5–8

  • Are you living in allegiance or autonomy?
  • Are you leaning on your own wisdom?
  • Are you conforming to the beliefs and behaviors of this world?
  • Are you serving people or using people?
  • Are you using money or serving money?

THE PAIN HAS A PURPOSE! GOD SIMULTANEOUSLY OPPOSES THE PROUD AND OPENS THE DOOR FOR THEM TO RETURN TO HIM

“1 “Come, let us return to the Lord; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up.”” —Hosea 6:1

“6 “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”” —James 4:6b

PLOT TWIST: BEING THE KIND OF PERSON GOD CAN BLESS MEANS BEING THE KIND OF PERSON WHO CAN BE THANKFUL IN ANY AND ALL SITUATIONS

“11 …I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.” —Philippians 4:11b–12

“34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.”” —John 4:34

How do I give to 1MSO?

The people of One Missoula Church give tangible resources back to God in order to suffocate greed in our own lives and amplify the impact of the Gospel in the lives of others. We’ve removed every barrier and inconvenience to make this sacrificial act as accessible and simple as possible. At present, here are the avenues for this act of devotion:

  • Sunday Morning – offering boxes on the communion tables at the back
  • Snail Mail – postage-paid envelopes available
  • Text “1MSO” to 406-631-3323
  • Online at https://onemissoulachurch.com/give
  • Via the One Missoula App under the “Giving” tab

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