“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1Thess. 5:16-18
The American holiday of Thanksgiving just passed. People travelling this way and that as they head home-theirs’ or someone else’s.
Lots of food and drink consumed, lots of football. and parades watched. Lots of parties, and naps…
Ah, but to give thanks, real heartfelt thanks, where we stop long enough to consider with deep gratitude,
All that the King of Kings has done for us. For some it’s financial -perhaps that promotion, for some its might be health and/or healing, for still other perhaps relational.
A prodigal returned, a new marriage or one restored. The blessing of living in a place where we have the freedom of religion, often we’re clueless to the benefits of this great privilege-
even as many thousands of people of faith are dying, risking their very lives just to worship the one true God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
in places like Iran, North Korea, Vietnam, China, and many many other nations. Calling on the matchles Name above all Names-Yeshua…Jesus.
Being thankful doesn’t come easily to the natural carnal mind.
It’s much easier (I think) to see what’s wrong with somethng- anything and everything, zeroing in on that whch is negative.
Just look at the children of Israel who started kvetching soon after they walked across dry land where the Red Sea was…
We live in an entitlement world. Are we often any better ?
That’s the way I was, they way I can be-if my own natural tendencies are not pruned,
if thoughts are not taken captive.
So what are you truly trankful for?
Heidi Baker sad, “You can’t have a testimony without a test, so, Beloved, ask someone you know to share a personal testimony with you
Don’t miss an opportunity to testify -and thank God-about some of the many things God has done for you.
Give thanks.