Thanksgiving – It’s Not Just For November!

Dear Friends,

I love Thanksgiving, how about you? Its such a joyful time to gather with family and friends, and is a holiday based in the Christian principle of giving thanks to God! I read about a tradition the pilgrims had for their thanksgiving meals. They would put one single kernel of corn on each plate as a reminder that God had brought them through their ordeals and provided for them. Each person would then share one special blessing they had received from God in the past year that they were especially thankful for.

Hebrews 13:15-16 “Therefore by Him 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”
We certainly have many reasons to be thankful to God, but one of the significant reasons I have is…. simple put … you! I thank God for a kind and caring church family, family, and friends. I especially thank God for those who are, or will be, part of my spiritual family 🙂

Now I can think of at least two things every Christian should thank and praise God for:
1) God, for His goodness and mercy, His holiness and His holy law! For salvation and for sanctification through His grace in Jesus Christ!
Psalm 63:3 “Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You”
Psalm 119:171-172 “My lips shall utter praise, For You teach me Your statutes. My tongue shall speak of Your word, For all Your commandments are righteousness”

2) God, for how He blesses us through others, especially through our spiritual family!
Proverbs 27:2 “Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips”

While we should be thankful to God throughout the year, November is a great time to give God even more “expressions of thankfulness”. After all, it is the month of Thanksgiving! But not just any thankfulness, I have a special project for those who are willing. I want you to focus on what you are thankful to the Lord for as He works through each of your family and friends! I know this will take some time, prayer, and thought, but would you please be so kind as to consider each member of your church (don’t forget the attending “friends of the church”), your family, friends, and neighbors. And then write down, on an index card, a cut up sheet of paper, or a greeting card if you prefer – just one thing you appreciate about them – yes, I realize there could be many many more; but just one way in which God blesses you through them; one reason you are thankful to the Lord that they are a part of your spiritual family or circle of friends. And please keep your comments anonymous and simple – just a single sentence, no epistles 🙂

In a world filled with so much stress and depression you might be very surprised at what a blessing of encouragement your comments will be to someone. What a joy they will have reading how much they are loved and appreciated, not just by God, but by by one of God’s children! I hope you will take this opportunity to be like Barnabas whose name means “the encourager”. And, you may have so much fun doing this, that you will want to do it at other times of the year too. Who says thanksgiving is limited to November?

May God abundantly bless you this month and in the months head.
Lovingly, a friend in Jesus Christ,
Pastor Mike