by Mike Benson

It was in the early morning hours of September 8. Eye-witnesses say that it was a stormy evening on Lake Michigan. Night-time navigation was always difficult in 1860, but especially so on this occasion. Gale-force winds made the trip all the more perilous. Passengers were nervous and with good reason.

Around 2:30 AM, about twelve miles off the Illinois coast, the steamboat “Lady Elgin” was suddenly rammed by a large, wooden schooner. The “Augusta” had been laboring under the tempest and collided with her on the port side, just aft of her paddlewheel. Lady Elgin’s crew attempted to plug the hole in the hull with a mattress, but to no avail. The breach simply could not be repaired and pounding waves quickly forced water into her oak-framed body.

Edward Spencer was on board the Lady Elgin when the accident occurred. He was a student from nearby Northwestern University and decided to help. Oblivious to the storm and its attendant dangers, Edward plunged into the turbulent waters and began rescuing fellow passengers. There had been approximately 485 patrons on board (the ship was rated to carry only 300); about 380 of them drowned on that awful day.

Edward lived—and so did seventeen other people whom he had saved during the deluge. However, the strain of the occasion exacted its toll on his youthful frame. The nerves in his legs had been irreparably damaged during the mishap, and doctors confined him to a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

On his 80th birthday, Edward’s friends and family gathered to celebrate. Someone in his company asked him, “What is your most vivid memory about that tragic day?” He replied, “Not one of the seventeen returned to thank me.”

I wonder which burden was more difficult for Edward to bear? Was it the lifetime loss of movement in his legs, or was it the thoughtless negligence of those seventeen unnamed passengers whom he had snatched from that watery tomb long ago?

In Luke 17, Jesus came in contact with a group of men who were suffering with leprosy. Their plight as well as their knowledge of the Lord’s power prompted them to cry for help. Commenting on this incident, one author notes:

“The law of Moses required those afflicted with the loathsome disease of leprosy to keep away from the rest of the people (Lev. 13:45-46). This is why they 'stood afar off.' Because lepers could not associate with others, they usually congregated together for the sake of association; and, in this instance, there were ten of them. One of them was a Samaritan; the others were Jews. Ordinarily, the Jews had no dealings with the Samaritans; but, their common affliction had drawn them together.

Leprosy is one of the most dreaded and terrible diseases known to man. It starts with sores; then, it eats away at bodily tissues until the body itself begins to be consumed. The nose, the lips disappear; fingers decay and fall off; joint after joint separates, eventually, the vital organs cease to function and death follows.

Those who had leprosy were regarded as ceremonially unclean; they were required to live outside the city; and, had to cry out 'Unclean! Unclean!’ at the approach of others. The lepers remained at a distance because they were forbidden to draw near to others—this being a sort of quarantine to keep from infecting more with the disease.

The lepers heard of the Lord; they know of His powers to heal; and they pleaded with Him to 'have mercy' on them. Their deep sense of need led them to beg for whatever ministration the Lord felt disposed to give them…

Jesus heard the pitiful cries of these desperate men and was willing to help. He told them to go and show themselves to the priests… A person who was healed of leprosy was to show himself to the priest who made an offering for him and officially pronounced him clean (Lev. 14; Matt. 8:4). Though actually clean through the miraculous power of Christ, these lepers had to be made legally clean by compliance with the law of Moses in order to be allowed association with the people” (J. Noel Meridith, “Exhortations for Servants,” Luke—Fifth Annual Firm Foundation Lectureship, William S. Cline, editor, ‘88, 414-415).

Ironically, despite the fact that Jesus had healed ten men, Scripture says that only the Samaritan came back and expressed his heartfelt gratitude.

“Now one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks…” (vv. 15-16a).

I wonder what the Lord felt when that singular leper returned and said “thank you” (v.17)? Then too, I wonder how the Lord feels today when we fail to express gratitude for the “healing” (Isa. 6:9-10; 1 Pet. 2:24) He has granted us? He walked the lonely road to the cross; He gave His life as a ransom on our behalf. He made salvation possible to us all (Titus 2:11). But are we saying “thank you” in return? Where is our gratitude?

Church leaders lament low Sunday night attendance, poor contributions, the inability to find adequate Bible class teachers, and the glaring lack of conviction for what is true and right. Congregations at times, seem more concerned about buying furniture, installing carpet, and repairing plumbing than they do about the plight of men’s souls (Matt. 16:26; cf. Acts 8:22) and eternity (Matt. 25:46). Could it be that we’ve forgotten about Edward Spencer? Could it be that we’ve lost sight of the enormity of what Jesus did for us nearly 2,000 years ago on the tree (Rom. 5:15-18; 6:23; Eph. 2:8)? When the apostle Paul considered his deliverance from the consequences of sin (i.e., death—Rom. 6:23) he exclaimed, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Cor. 9:15)!

When we begin to recognize the sacrifice that was made on Calvary, we will stop thinking in terms of obligation and requirement. Our motivation to follow Jesus won’t be prompted by command alone, but out of an abiding gratitude that pours forth from our lives (Jas. 2:14-26). Thankfulness will be translated into loving, life-long devotion and submission.

Do you need to say “thank you” to Jesus? Where are the seventeen?

“In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thess. 5:18; cf. Phil. 4:6; Col. 1:12; 2:7; 3:17; 4:2; Heb. 13:15).

by Mitchell Skelton Psalm 103:1 – 22

The observance of Thanksgiving is a tradition that we hold near to our heart as Americans. The tradition of gathering together with friends and family for Thanksgiving began almost 400 years ago at Plymouth Colony. The Pilgrims uprooted themselves and sailed for America on the Mayflower seeking religious freedom and a new way of life for their families. Through what they endured, it is amazing that we ever came to have this holiday at all. Instead of landing in Virginia where others from England had already established settlements, the Mayflower was blown off course and landed at Plymouth, Massachusetts just in time for winter to set in. What ensued next was enough to break the will of even the strongest of people, terrible storms and sickness ravaged the settlers. Gov. William Bradford described this first winter as, “That which was most sad and lamentable.” He went on to describe how that sometimes two even three people died each day. Shelter from the harsh winter was scant as the Pilgrims spent their time digging seven times as many graves for their dead as they built homes for the living. The very fact that the tradition of Thanksgiving originated from this band of beaten brothers is amazing indeed!

Wanting never to forget how God delivered them from their want the Pilgrims and their ancestors developed a tradition to remember the hard times from which they had been delivered. Whenever the Pilgrims gathered for a dinner of “thanksgiving” they had a custom of placing five kernels of corn upon an empty plate before the meal was served. Each member of the family would pick up a kernel and tell that for which they were thankful. This was a reminder to them how during that first winter at Plymouth food was so scarce that each individual was rationed only five kernels of corn each day.

As Christians, we should always remember, even in the direst circumstances, to place our reliance upon God. Today, as we look forward to Thanksgiving, let us take five kernels from Psalm 103 for which we can be thankful toward God.

“Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (Psalm 103:1 – 5)

The Kernel of Forgiveness (Psalm 103:3a)

God’s forgiveness is something we can never earn. “He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities” (Psalm 103:10). Because of the mercy he has shown us, we should be continually thankful. God’s forgiveness is something we as sinful man can never fully understand. God’s forgiveness is complete forgiveness. “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12)

The Kernel of Healing (Psalm 103:3b)

All healing is divine healing and the direct result of God’s work. The healing properties God built into our bodies are part of his process of divine healing. Modern medicines and the knowledge of Doctors are extensions of God’s healing. God does not promise to heal everyone’s diseases, but that he has the power to heal all diseases. Most importantly, God is the only one who can cure our spiritual diseases.

The Kernel of Redemption (Psalm 103:4a)

God is totally responsible for our redemption from sin. That is what it means when we read in scripture, “We are saved by grace.” By the grace of God he sent his Son to die in our place. “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:18 – 19) . We could not pay for our sin, but Christ could and he did

The Kernel of Love and Compassion (Psalm 103:4b)

God’s compassion for us is like a father to his child. “As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him” (Psalm 103:13). God’s love is unmatched in heaven or on earth. “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:6 – 8).

The Kernel of Blessing (Psalm 103:5)

God’s blessings are given to those who obey him. “But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’S love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts” (Psalm 103:17 – 18). God knows how to bless his children. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. “Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him” (Matt. 7:7 – 11).

This Thanksgiving take the time to give thanks!

by A. A. Neale

I have so many things to be thankful for, but THINGS are the least of my blessings. The greatest of my blessings, after my salvation in Jesus Christ, the loving presence of our divine Father, and the aid of his Holy Spirit, are PEOPLE, those beloved friends, family, neighbors, and spiritual brothers and sisters who have circled my entire life, as my journey winds down.

The late Bob Hope often ended his tour appearances with the now-famous phrase, "Thanks for the memories." Yessiree, but those people are more than memories, for I hold a part of every kind person who has touched my life, not only as a memory, but as a trait, a trace, a remainder of each one who has left me with some precious gift.

The older we get, the more memories are precious to us, but more than memories are those people who are still around to bless and to receive a blessing.

Some folk, and you may be one of them, have not had the privilege of many friends and loving family members. They (and you) can and should find plenty of reason to be thankful for the church of our Lord, where they can discover a richness of personal relationships. A father, a mother, a sister, a brother, maybe even a wife or husband, awaits us in the great Shepherd's fold.

As the apostle Paul said, "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now" (Phil. 1:3-5, NKJV).

The joy of fellowship is something to be cherished and passed on, says John (1 John 1:3). It is to be extended and defended, protected and not neglected.

That makes my family, friends, brothers, and sisters in Christ, both past and present, more than memories. They're blessings!

I'm thankful for that. And I'm thankful for you.

by Otavio A. N. Carvalho

Every Christian has the right to recognize those who work in behalf of the gospel.

Every Christian has the right to support those who work in behalf of the gospel.

Every Christian has the right to preach the gospel.

Every Christian has the right to act, in every worthy manner possible, in order to bring people to Christ by the gospel.

Evrey Christian has the right to cooperate for the furthering of the gospel.

Every Christian has the right to be disciplined in the gospel.

by J. Randal Matheny

Americans turn this week to one of their most celebrated holidays, Thanksgiving. Businesses and industries shut down, schools close, and people travel to be with loved ones. This holiday has been imitated and reproduced in a number of other countries as well, indicating the importance that even governments give to fostering the attitude in their national populations.

In 1909, Brazil's ambassador to the U.S., Joaquim Nabuco, attended an American Thanksgiving worship service. He was so impressed that he wrote: "Would that all humanity united on the same day for a universal thanksgiving to God." On 17 August 1949 then-president Eurico Dutra declared the National Day of Thanksgiving. Only in 1965 was the declaration made official by president Castelo Branco, and the fourth Thursday of November was set for its commemoration.

The Head Governor of the church has long nurtured gratitude in his own people. From his own prayers, to praising its appearance in those around him, Jesus showed the way of gratitude.

In its essence, the attitude of being thankful considers the character of God. Gratitude acknowledges that "God is great, God is good." And though Louw and Nida do it in the their Greek lexicon, it's hard to separate the attitude from its expression.

To express gratitude without the inner attitude would be, it seems, hypocrisy. On the other hand, it seems something of an impossibility to feel thankful without letting that inner warmth have its outer expression. When we fail to say thanks, we feel we have failed, and guilt often accuses us. And so it should.

It seems especially appropriate that Paul, in speaking of the church's praise through singing in Colossians 3:15-17, circles his discussion with themes of gratitude:

• "and be thankful" (v. 15). • "singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God" (v. 16). • "giving thanks through Him to God the Father" (v. 17).

That's why the instrument fails miserably in Christian worship, since it cannot put words to our deepest thoughts and feelings. As insufficient as they seem, the words of our songs do and can serve as adequate means of expressing the heart's overflow to God.

Thanksgiving is not a mere ritual or holiday. As worthy as a national day may be, the Christian daily acknowledges his unworthiness to receive what a gracious God has given.

Let us enjoy the holiday, as it reminds us that the attitude of gratitude and the expression of thanksgiving should be constant marks of God's special people.

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thes. 5:16-18, NASU).