11 21 08 Giving Thanks

“Brothers and sisters, we should always thank God for you. That is only right, because your faith is growing more and more. The love you all have for each other is increasing.” (2 Thessalonians 1:3 NIrV)

Why was Paul so committed to giving thanks to God for those in Thessalonica? Their faith was growing day by day and there love for one another was increasing. Their affection, good will, love, and benevolence (agape love in the Greek) was evident. I believe Paul was GIVING THANKS to God because he could see God working in them. They truly loved one another as they gave back the love God had showered upon them. This is really GIVING THANKS; not in words, but in deeds! There is no doubt God loves to hear His praises in how we thank Him in our words and songs. But true love, true thankfulness and appreciation shows in our giving to one another in an unselfish manner.

“Jesus called the crowd to him along with his disciples. He said, ‘If anyone wants to come after me, he must say no to himself. He must pick up his cross and follow me. If he wants to save his life, he will lose it. But if he loses his life for me and for the good news, he will save it. What good is it if someone gains the whole world but loses his soul? Or what can anyone trade for his soul? Suppose you are ashamed of me and my words among these adulterous and sinful people. Then the Son of Man will be ashamed of you when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels.’” (Mark 8:34-38 NIrV)

Take a moment to recall all God has freely given each of us: life, breath, health, homes, jobs, food, vehicles. Even if we are lacking in those areas we still have eyesight, hearing, the ability to walk, to read, to speak, etc. Even more so, we have our very breath from God! Lest we forget, if we truly know God, we have the joy and peace of knowing we have the forgiveness of sin and life eternal with our DADDY in heaven! God has given us all we’ll ever need, even if we get nothing else!

So what are we trying to hold on to? What are we really in need of if not a closer relationship with our Savior? Why are we bitter, or confused, or even jealous of those with more? What could we ever trade for our soul? Do we think that someone living in a house made of gold and precious stones, in a neighborhood paved with streets of gold, where everyone lived at peace with one another would want anything else? Is that not where we live?

We have so much to be thankful for, all year…every day. But at Thanksgiving, we really need to be GIVING THANKS to our family, our friends, our neighbors and those who seem to have so little. We need to allow our faith I God and our love for others to increase beyond what we believe. God gave His Son for everyone, even a sinner like me! In our GIVING THANKS this season, let’s commit to give beyond our means and watch God move, not because we deserve it, but because we honor His name! Someone needs to feel His love today! Will we give it?