IN ALL THINGS GIVE THANKS

As we sit and reflect back upon this Thanksgiving and the family time that God has blessed us with, we understand that not all feel so blessed. What is it that makes us feel so "thankful"? Is it the food? The family? The time away from work? Or is it something so innate that we just cannot deny it? As we spent some amazing family time this week end, we began to realize what God's idea or "ideal" of thankfulness might be.

With all of the demands of life (family, work, ministry, relationships...) it can be very easy to slip away into a carnal abyss so to speak. God commanded us to "work" for six days and to rest on the seventh. Now, some may say that as Christians this word "work" means to do the "work" of the ministry - and we agree - however, some of us must "PUNCH THE CLOCK". So, what are we doing with this or these opportunities???

The word of God says that in ALL things we are to give thanks. Not in some things or when we feel like it, but IN ALL THINGS GIVE THANKS. I don't believe that as creatures of the king we do this. Jesus said that "If you love me you will keep my commands". God's written word is His PERFECT will for us and if we will follow it, it WILL lead us into all truth. The question is - Do we accept this as absolute truth?

As children of the King, pastor Lance, myself, and our boys are doing our best to apply a "thankful heart" to all of our daily walk. It is hard! We are not going to sit here and tell stories of our demise or "woe is me" situations because we are choosing to apply a thankful heart to our situations and our lives. It can seem very difficult at times, but as we continue on and hold steadfast it actually begins to produce life giving fruit and joy!!! Does this mean that we aren't tested? PLEASE! Let's be real. Life happens, but our God and His Word are real.

The problem with this idea of thankfulness and the lack of it (or it's true meaning) is that the hearts of people have waxxed cold. The true heart condition of this world is a sad one. Is there any hope? Yes. There is always hope. His name is Jesus. But the problem lies within the lack of understanding of the true meaning and purpose of the word THANKSGIVING. To be "thankful" of to give "thanks" has nothing to do with your recognition from someone, rather it is about the recipient recognizing the giver from whom the recipient receives. In other words, for example, look at a persons birthday - we often give gifts for just such an occasion. However, there is no written law that states that we must give gifts to a person or persons for this reason, yet, we do.

As a child growing up I always looked forward to birthday parties. It was a time of celebration and let's be honest here, a time for presents! We were by no means a rich family, but we always had enough. Growing up I can remember how my parents taught me to be respectful and thankful for all that I received. It was a privilege to have a party - not my right. I was taught that you did not ask for gifts, but you were very "THANKFUL" for those received and to those who gave them.
You see, nothing I did or said made me worthy of them bringing me gifts of honor. I was the one who should be honoring them for taking the time out of their busy lives and work time to spend with me. How lonely it would have been to spend my 6th or 7th
birthday with no friends. Are you beginning to get the picture?

Let's look at another special day that most of the Christian world celebrates and that is CHRISTMAS. Again, it is a time that much gift giving is done. The true history behind gift giving is to symbolize that which took place 2000 years ago in a small manger in Bethlehem. Somehow, though, it has become polluted with the greed and selfishness of this world. The three wise men traveled all that time and distance not because it was going to be the party of the century, or because the recipient was rich and lived in a great palace and had the right name and attire, but because they recognized that this was GOD THE KING incarnate and they were His servants and they came to give THANKS and HONOR to the one from whom all blessings flow.

This was a perfect example of how God intended for us to apply our thankfulness. These three men (who were, by the way, very wise indeed) understood who He was and who they were not. They recognized that without the King of Kings they were nothing. They came "into His presence with Thanksgiving and into His courts with praise" and God recognized them for their humility, submission and obedience. How much more could we ever hope for? If we will be faithful and trust Him with everything we have - from our lives, our children's lives, jobs, belongings - He will provide us with all that we need.

THANKFULNESS is recognizing that we are not here as our own entity or God. We are here because a great master and Creator saw fit to sculpt us and give us the precious gift of life. This is where the true spirit of thankfulness arises from. It's knowing that no matter what we do or don't do can change who He is and who we are not. It is understanding our placement in this whole scheme of things and realizing that we didn't even have to be, but He saw fit and called us forth. It is knowing that without one another, and God through us, we are not complete. For the Word of God says that "IRON SHARPENS IRON" and without our brothers and sisters we are less.

Let's take some time to reflect upon our lives (maybe even make it a lesson that you do with your family or friends) and ask one another and discuss with one another all that we have to be thankful for and then join together in a time of TRUE thanksgiving and praise. Let's understand what we MUST be thankful for because of the one who gives it to us. And let us serve one another with the spirit of thankfulness and in doing so we will honor the one who served us.