(1 Thes 5:16-18 NIV) Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
This morning we take a break from our current series long enough to pause to simply say “Thank you” to God for being so good to us. Thanksgiving is a time to look back long enough to see things that you need to look up and say, “Thank You” for. Yes, I know many consider Thanksgiving to be about turkey and stuffing, macaroni and cheese and cornbread, pumpkin or sweet potato pie, football and snow, fireplaces and family, and about eating too much and resting too little. I will admit that I enjoy all those things. My family is going to visit my Sister and her family, our son will come down from Culinary School to help with the cooking, the house will be full of kids, food, fellowship and fun. And as much as I am looking forward to all of that, I have to remember that Thanksgiving has a bigger and deeper meaning. Thanksgiving is an attitude. Thanksgiving is a lifestyle. Every day should be a day of Thanksgiving!
The Obamacare website is still not working. The national budget is being held together by a band-aid. Many people are still without jobs, others are working, but without benefits. Christmas is right around the corner and the pressure to buy gifts that many can’t afford is already building pressure that some can’t handle. So while this is a festive time for me and many others, we must also remember that this is a stressful time for countless around the country and around the world. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the words of the Apostle Paul. Paul said, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” What was Paul saying? What was He teaching us? I believe Paul was telling us that the secret to living a life that is pleasing to God is to maintain your joy, to keep an active prayer life, and to GIVE THANKS to God IN all circumstances. Notice that he said “IN” all circumstances and not “FOR” all circumstances. If we are honest we must acknowledge the fact that everything that happens to us is NOT good and we DON’T always LIKE everything we face. But Paul’s point is that we should trust God enough to believe that at the-end-of-the-day we will still come out on top. I may not always be able to Thank God FOR IT, but I can still thank Him IN IT. This attitude of gratitude is what enables me to live a life of Thanksgiving and I pray that you tap into the same power!
So what does this mean to you today? It means that as you walk with God you will not always get what you expect and you may not always get what you want, but you should have enough confidence in Him to know that when it is all said and done you will not be disappointed. This reality, this confidence, this inner-knowing, this trust, is what enables you to live a lifestyle of Thanksgiving! Look back and be thankful. Look up and be hopeful. Look forward and be excited. You serve a God that has blessed you, is blessing you, and will bless you. You have lots to be thankful for. So as you eat too much and rest too little, as you enjoy football and family, and as you devour turkey and stuffing, take the time to thank God tomorrow and every day. Develop a lifestyle of Thanksgiving! Give thanks IN all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus!
Thanksgiving Declaration of Faith: Father, I may not always like my circumstances. I may not even be able to thank You FOR my circumstances, but I declare that I will thank You IN them. I know that when it is all said and done, the situations I face will work out for my good. So instead of waiting until I see it to say it, I praise You now! I am excited NOW! I am expectant NOW! I am THANKFUL NOW! I look back and I am thankful. I look up and I am hopeful. I look forward and I am excited. I live everyday as a day of Thanksgiving! From this day forward Thanksgiving is part of my lifestyle! I declare this by faith! In Jesus’ name, amen!
From my family to yours, may you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
God bless you,
Rick
