November 2008

Dear Friend,

For most Americans, this is a month of Thanksgiving. We set aside one full day to give thanks for the many blessings of life and liberty. We offer thanksgiving to God, our faithful Provider. Given everything that He has done for us, it is only right for us to be thankful people.

The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals shares in the joy and thanksgiving of the season. We are grateful to God for everything that He has provided through your partnership with us in the gospel—a partnership we pray will continue through your ongoing help and support.

In giving thanks to God, we are following the example of Jesus Christ. Have you ever noticed that Jesus gave thanks to God? This may sound surprising, since Jesus is God the Son, but it is true: Jesus gave thanks to His heavenly Father.

There are several examples of this in the Gospels—occasions when Jesus offered thanksgiving to God. He did it when He raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:41), and again later when He broke bread with His disciples at the Last Supper (1 Cor. 11:24).

Jesus also gave thanks when seventy-two of His disciples came back from their first mission trip and reported on all the miracles that they had performed in the power of the Holy Spirit. As Jesus rejoiced with them in their triumph over Satan, He said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will” (Luke 10:21). 

This is one of the emotional high points of the Gospel of Luke. As Jesus prayed, He rejoiced. This gives us a glimpse of the joy at the heart of the universe, where God is both the subject and the object of His own rejoicing. Can there be any greater joy than the eternal joy that God Himself enjoys within His own Triune Being?

For Jesus, the Son of God, this joy was joined to thanksgiving. Notice why: because the Holy Spirit had revealed the truths of salvation to the beloved children of God. Jesus was giving thanks to His Father for the secret, saving work of His Word.

Through the work of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, we share in this joy. Every week we have the joyful privilege of proclaiming the Word of God through our broadcast ministries: The Bible Study Hour, Every Last Word, God’s Living Word, and Dr. Barnhouse & the Bible. 

As we proclaim God’s Word, something remarkable happens. The Holy Spirit takes our words, with all their limitations, and uses them in a powerful way to change people’s lives. The Lord of heaven and earth reveals the simple truths of saving truth to people with childlike faith.

Every time this happens, we should rejoice the way that Jesus rejoiced, giving thanks to God for the ministry of His Word. Our thanks goes to God, first of all, as the Giver of every good gift.

Our thanks also goes to you as someone who supports this ministry. Please know that we praise God for your prayers, for your financial gifts, and for your support in many other ways—support that is truly vital and absolutely essential to the ministry we do.

Please continue to help us as you are able. As you pray for us and provide the resources we need, you enable us to preach the gospel of grace. In this season of thanksgiving, I pray that you will share with us in the joy of Jesus, who thanked His Father for the communication of saving truth.

In Christ’s service,

Philip Ryken,
Bible Teacher, Every Last Word

P.S. Be sure to check out ReformedResources.org for monthly discounts of 20-50% off excellent print and audio resources from the names you trust.

P.P.S. We need you to provide the resources that keep the Alliance going. To join the Alliance in thanksgiving to God, click here.