Thanksgiving and Faith Episode 162
Thanksgiving and faith go hand in hand even when our faith is always being tested by the forces of this world. Even if everything in your life is going well, or as well as can be expected, it is as if we have one eye looking in the rearview mirror just waiting for something to happen. Maybe, however you are an optimist and you look at things as being in God’s hands, a very good place to be… and for us as Christians there is a very simple lesson and that is to get our priorities in the right place.
Where are your priorities?
Your family, your immediate needs, maybe you are struggling with an illness and your priority is to get better. We must get our priorities straight and that includes thanking God in all things, having faith when faith seems distant, and looking at our lives as a temporary place yet, somewhere the Lord wants us right now.
Do you remember, some time ago (for those of you who have listened for a while) I did a show on being in the present moment? When our peace is robbed, it is because we are looking too far in the future.
Today, focus on today.
And, as you are focusing on today—what are you thankful for. As I record this it is a time of difficulty as well as the holidays around the corner. And truthfully, many people might feel like there is not much to be thankful for…however, that is never true. As disciples of Christ, we have so much to be thankful for!
Gratitude is something that is innate for some people, it comes naturally—yet, for others it is difficult. Being grateful means we see the little things, the things often overlooked by others. We see the it in the sunset, in the time with family or friends. We see it in the ability to go to church and praise God. Without gratitude, we have no hope. Without hope we have no future. Where is our hope? It is with the Almighty.
Lately, the news has been dire. And when you listen to the news you hear doom and gloom, yet when you open the Bible, the Word of God is encouraging for those who love and follow the Lord and His commands. Remember the children’s song, based on scripture? This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad? Psalm 118:24 says, The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad. But what about verse 25? Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success!
Remember success varies, and what you consider success is not what I consider success.
For some success translates into money earned, and for others, success is in the smile of a child or a sunset or sunrise. Thanksgiving doesn’t depend on success. Thanksgiving takes a conscious effort of determining that you will be thankful…why? Why not? What is it in your life that you can praise God for, and mean it? Take some time to think about this. I see people post things on social media that show a sense of hopelessness. There is a sense that things are all bad and there is no redemption, but those people have not only lost a sense of hope and dare I say, faith. If we have faith—the faith that surpasses all understanding we have hope. And, if we have hope – we are thankful.
Why is it that it is easy to list all the things that upset you?
If I gave you five minutes to list all your grievances you could probably fill a sheet of paper, but if I asked you to list all the ways you are thankful and have hope, what would your paper say? The enemy does not want us to have hope and he has robbed a society glued to social media and television of hope. Do you have the weight of the world on your shoulders? Do you feel defeated? Think about this:
Here is what we know.
- God is the victor, and to Him goes the glory and honor.
- You are a child of God. Remember that.
- Unite your will to God’s every day – Lord I give you my will, please give me your will. Thy kingdom come thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
- In God there is hope. Never forget that.
- The battle is not for us to fight, but the battle is for us to prepare for (Ephesians 6:10-18- put on the armor of Christ: –because once again the battle has been won. Let me remind you what this amazing scripture says:
Ephesians 6:10-18
New International Version
The Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
How can we be vigilant? By praying dear friends, praying to our Lord because only God and God alone can change our hearts from being burdened to overflowing with Thanksgiving and hope!
Let’s pray.
Dear heavenly Father, I praise you and I thank you for everything. For the sun, the moon, and the stars, for the mornings and the evenings. For giving me the breath each and every day to not only survive but to thrive and to praise YOU who are worthy of my praise. I love you my God and I thank you, only YOU are victorious against the enemy and I thank God the Father for sending His only son that we can not only be saved but to be healed and to be joyful and hopeful people. Dear Lord, I pray for the following needs: And I pray this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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