GIVING THANKS ALWAYS FOR ALL THINGS

Coming off the month of October where it seems death is the theme (looking at you Halloween), it is refreshing to come to November. Near the end of the month, we will celebrate Thanksgiving, a time of good food and family gatherings. For the Christian, thanksgiving is something that we should be involved with daily. In fact, Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:16 “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Everything? Yes, everything! How often? Paul answered this question in Ephesians 5:20 “giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” In the good times and the bad we should always be a thankful people. What should we be thankful for? Consider just a few things:

• For God Himself (Rev. 7:12, 4:8-11).
• Our existence (Ac. 17:28).
• The many blessings God bestows on us each day (Mt. 5:45, 6:11; Ac. 14:17; 1 Tim. 4:4-5).
• For each other and the mutual faith, hope, and love we share (Ac. 28:15; Rm. 1:8, 16:3-4; 1 Cor. 1:4; Php. 1:3; Col. 1:3-5; 1 Th. 1:2-4; 2 Th. 1:3-4).
• To serve (‌1 Tim. 1:12).
• For Christ and the victory through and in Him (1 Cor. 15:57; 2 Cor. 2:14, 9:15).‌
• For the reception of God’s Word (1 Th. 2:13).‌
• When one obeys the Gospel (Rm. 6:17-18).

If we ever lose our thanksgiving it will result in departing from God. There is a whole laundry list of sins that the Gentiles were involved with in Romans 1. Observe how it got started “because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened” (Rm. 1:21 NKJV emphasis mine). A scary thought that we do not want to be guilty of!

I am thankful to be laboring with this good congregation and exhort you to continue in your growth and love for the Lord. I am thankful for everyone who helped with and participated in our 2nd Annual Lectureship we concluded earlier this week. It was a great event, and all glory goes to God. I am thankful for the outpouring of love and service shown for those who have lost loved ones recently. Let us always be a thankful people.

Trent Thrasher