The Manger King 
Terry R. Baughman

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 NKJ).

Love is the prime motivation for giving. Every sacrifice is justified when we give out of an abundance of love. That is why the season of Thanksgiving and Christmas is filled with so much joy. We are reminded of our blessings and in response to our gratitude we give to those we love and to causes that touch our hearts. 

There may be other reasons to give as well. Sometimes we are moved to share our resources because of pity towards those less fortunate. We may even feel some guilt for our many blessings and we give to others who have great needs to help assuage the feeling. There may be other occasions where our friends are giving to a good cause and we feel pressured to join in with a contribution just to show support to something a friend is passionate about. 

The least charitable gift is when we give because of an incentive. Perhaps we are entered into a drawing for something we would love to have, in return for making a small financial contribution. This could be a “raffle contribution.” Some may make “end of year” contributions for the tax advantage, thinking they would rather give to a good cause than to give it to the government.

We might give just because it feels good to give. That is a natural response to giving, especially when we are motivated by love. So, even if it’s for the dopamine stimulus, we are blessed by giving! 

Love was the prime mover of God’s provision. As John’s Gospel stated, “God so loved … that He gave” (John 3:16). The full display of God’s love is revealed in His incarnation. God became flesh and lived with us! (See John 1:14.) His life, death, burial, and resurrection testify of the depth of His love for us. His desire was to make us His children, son’s and daughter’s of God. John wrote, “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1 NKJ).

The greatest motivator for true giving is pure love. This is giving without expecting anything in return. It is self-less and open-handed giving. That’s the way God gives to us. 

God’s greatest gift was the gift of His Son. He willing gave Himself to this world. Paul wrote, “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself” (2 Corinthians 5:19 NKJ). Though we were sinners, Christ died for us. He offers us all the gift of salvation. Paul said, “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23 NKJ). He also wrote, “By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8 NKJ).
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Knowing how great a gift we have received, we should also extend the good news of God’s love to all. Let our thanksgiving be shared as a gift of gratitude to everyone we meet! 


Theme passage:
“There is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger” (Luke 2:11-12 NKJ).

A Season of Thanksgiving
Terry R. Baughman

“Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! Sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless His name; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples” (Psalm 96:1-3 NKJ).

Our God is the only worthy object of our praise. The true celebration of thanksgiving is when we exalt the name of Jesus and give honor to Him for His endless provision. When others celebrate Thanksgiving, we are caused to wonder to whom are they thankful if they deny the existence of God or His involvement in our lives. 

We sing to exalt the Lord and declare His greatness. Thanksgiving is a cause for celebration. Solomon is attributed with the words of the 72nd Psalm. He proclaimed, “Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, Who only does wondrous things! And blessed be His glorious name forever! And let the whole earth be filled with His glory” (Psalm 72:18-19 NKJ).

How is it that we can bless His name? Apparently, when we speak of God’s glory and the many great acts he performs, we are blessing Him. Whenever we testify of His salvation in our lives, or the grace and mercy He has shown us, God is honored and His name is blessed!

David wrote songs of praise like the text above. The words were penned to give glory to God, but also to bear witness to others of the wonders He has done among all nations. Our blessing of the name of our God is associated with great deeds He has done. During this season and always, let us continue to give thanks to Him and bless His name. He is the focus of our thanksgiving!


Theme passage:
“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name” (Psalm 100:4 NKJ).

A Season of Thanksgiving
Terry R. Baughman

“And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord” (Psalm 27:6 NKJ).

Sacrifice involves cost. It is a surrender of something of value in order for it to be considered a sacrifice. In the Old Testament a sacrifice was an act of slaughtering an animal or surrendering a possession as an offering to God. For it to be a meaningful act of worship the gift must be something of value, often the thing was most valued, to honor God or to seek His favor. 

On one occasion David prepared to build an altar and offer sacrifices to God. When he approached a landowner to purchase the place for the altar and animals for the sacrifice, Araunah offered to freely give it all to the king. The King refused the generous offer of Araunah and said, “I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing” (2 Samuel 24:24 NIV). 

Inherent in the concept of sacrifice is the understanding of cost. Value is exchange to achieve something of greater value. One source stated, joyful sacrifice is giving up something you love for something you love even more. Perhaps that’s the greatest way to explain sacrifices of joy that David wrote about in the Psalms. He had a right valuation for God. Anything that he could offer was unable to compare with the greatness of God and His limitless provision. 

Before he died, David desired to honor God with the construction of a permanent temple to replace the tent that had long been transported to various locations in Israel’s history. Though God did not permit David to build this temple, he was allowed to secure the location and begin stockpiling supplies for its construction. (See 1 Chronicles 22.) Throughout David’s life and beyond his death the sacrifices he made to God continued to be a blessing to others, and were honored by God. 

Though we do not offer blood sacrifices on the altar of an ancient temple, like David we can learn the beautiful value of bringing to God our greatest value. With joy we can enter His presence singing His praises. We can contribute to the work of His kingdom in the world through our missions giving, our local church mission, and the support of the ministry. When we all give, we invariably receive more than we have ever sacrificed. The more we give the more is returned to us. This is our joyous service and our grateful sacrifice. 

The writer of Hebrews encouraged, “Let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased” (Hebrews 13:15–16 NKJ). He will always honor our thanksgiving and receive our sacrificial praise. In this season of giving, may we remember it is with joy we sacrifice to Him. 



Theme passage:
“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name” (Psalm 100:4 NKJ).

A Season of Thanksgiving
Terry R. Baughman

“To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness” (Isaiah 61:3 NIV).

Welcome! All those who approach the door bearing the appropriate garments are welcomed with open arms. While it all seems a little formal, a black-tie event has the expectation that the invited guests will attend dressed in an appropriate fashion. Formal wear usually includes tuxedos and black ties, long dress gowns for the women, and a rather lofty sophistication from all those in attendance. While many may not have the occasion to attend such an event, most have been invited to a wedding where there is a notation in the invitation concerning appropriate dress wear. 

Jesus tells a story where those who were invited did not respond, nor plan to attend the wedding. Then the king sent messengers out to all they could find to extend an invitation so that the celebration would be in a full house. Many came and the occasion was beyond expectation. So many were thrilled to have been invited, but then there was one man who was not dressed in the appropriate wedding attire. Apparently the king had provided appropriate clothing to all who were invited. The man who was found inappropriately dressed had come in without invitation and had not received the proper clothing. He was forcefully removed from the celebration. 

It seems odd all the others who attended were welcomed. There was just one man who wasn’t invited, but the others simply followed the instructions and were welcomed without cost. Everything was provided for them. The lesson seems to be that there is sufficient grace for anyone to come to God, but all must come in the right way. All must enter through the door, Christ Jesus, and all must clothe themselves in the righteousness of God. There is no substitute nor excuse to come any other way. Jesus said, “He who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber” (John 10:1 NKJ). Yet, Jesus also said, “Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17 NKJ). Jesus is willing for all to come to Him, but all must come through the right door, and Jesus is that Door!
The Psalmist sang, “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise” (Psalm 100:4 NKJ). These are the garments we are expected to wear when we come into His presence. He freely gives us new garments when we come to Him. Isaiah said that God would, “Give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness” (Isaiah 61:3 NKJ). 

We have no excuse. He has given us joy in the place of our sorrow, a beauty of purity in place of our ashes of shame, and replaced our sorrow with joy. We have much to celebrate, and more for which to give thanks to God. Come before Him speaking thanks, expressing gratitude for all He has provided. Fill the air with sounds of praise and joyful worship. He is worthy! 



Theme passage:
“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name” (Psalm 100:4 NKJ).

Pray for U.S.
Terry R. Baughman

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1-4 NIV).

In any recent election it has become impossible to find political candidates who completely speak to our values. While we may agree with their position on social justice, we may disagree with their views on abortion. Candidates may say the right things about religious liberty, but hold unbiblical views on marriage and family issues. We face a quandary of who to vote for as we mark our ballots. 

If we fail to vote, then we abandon our opportunity to support the views we consider sacred. At times we may vote for a political platform rather than the individuals running for office. What values are held by a particular party, or what is the most important issues for which we feel most passionate about, becomes the guiding principle to mark our vote. 

In a polarized country of such divergent views and values there may be one candidate with which we can most agree when it comes to casting our ballot. It is vital that we make our voices heard through our values vote. If enough people will stand up for their moral principles and vote accordingly there is greater potential for positive changes. 

We will never be able to find a perfect candidate or a party that holds to all of our values. The legislative, judicial, or executive branches of government will never pass enough laws, make enough executive actions, or define enough rules to institute a world of peace and create a moral society. However, we are instructed to pray for all those who have authority. Paul further instructed Titus, “Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone” (Titus 3:1-2 NIV). This is good advice in our political firestorm and gives direction for believers regardless of the outcome of an election. 



Theme passage:
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people” (Proverbs 14:34 NIV).