Homepage Message: November 2007
The next footsteps he would hear might be those of the guards taking him away to his execution. His bed was the cold stone floor of the dank, cramped prison cell. Not a minute passed when he was free from the constant irritation of the chains and pain of the iron shackles cutting into his ankles and wrists.
Separated from friends and family, unjustly accused and brutally treated, if any one had a right to complain it was this man suffering and almost forgotten. However, instead of complaining, his lips rang out words of praise and thanksgiving!
This was the Apostle Paul who had learned the meaning of true thanksgiving even in the midst of unfair treatment. During his stay in prison he wrote to the Ephesian Christians these unbelievable words: Ephesians 5:19-20 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Did you catch that? ‘Always give thanks . . . for everything,’ no matter the circumstances. Thanksgiving for Paul was not a once a year holiday, it was a daily practice. Is this true in your life?
An ungrateful heart can turn one into a dissatisfied, selfish, and bitter person faster than anything else. Eyes that focus on the wrongs of life, the hurts, and selfish acts of people are incapable of being grateful. At the same time nothing does more to restore contentment and the joy of life than a true spirit of thankfulness.
Listen to the charge God brings against mankind: Rom 1:21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Being truly grateful and expressing thinks to God and others is very high on God’s list of priorities. When Jesus would feed the five thousand and only had two fish and five buns, did he complain or criticize? He offered thanks.
When one is in tune with God thanksgiving is not a chore, it’s a natural expression. Psalm 147:7 Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make music to our God on the harp.
Why be thankful? First we are to be thankful for the material blessings God has given us. We live in a nation where material possessions are in abundance. Material things are not evil if they don’t rob our devotion from God. I Chronicles 29:12-14 Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. "But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.
Second, we are to thank God for the people in our lives. One of the ongoing challenges in life is not to take people for granted or complain when they don’t meet our expectations. It bears repeating that we don’t know what we have until it is gone. Granted we are not perfect but we must be thankful for them, looking for their good qualities.
Third, we should thank God even in the midst of trials and disappointments. We know every one of us faces difficulties and unfair events in life. However, we can be assured God is with us through them all. John 16:33 "I (Jesus) have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." Whatever trial you may be facing at this moment you are to cultivate a spirit of thankfulness knowing God will see you through.
Fourth, thank God for providing for your forgiveness and salvation through Jesus Christ. The bible is very clear that we are sinners from the moment of conception and cannot be at peace with God. Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. We can’t work our way into God’s good graces. Man is in a hopeless state facing a hopeless future by himself. The bible is very clear that Jesus loves you more than you will ever know. This is something to be very thankful.
Click here if you would like to know more about the love of God.