11/10/2024
THANKSGIVING . . .
Merriam-Webster gives the definition of ‘Thank You’ as “a polite expression of one’s gratitude”. A great definition, but for me when I am thinking of how to express my thanks to God for all He has done for me it seems too passive. As I celebrate THANKSGIVING this month I long for a greater, deeper, and more passionate way to thank my Heavenly Father than a simple ‘Thank You.’ With all of the destruction that Hurricane Helene left in our state, with Milton bulldozing across the state of Florida, with the wars being fought around our world, . . . with personal battles and storms in our lives, many of us are short on our “Thanks” to God. But as Children of God (1 John 3:3), as Followers of Christ we can still have hope and be thankful. How? By making the decision to focus on the One who not only holds today in His hand, but He holds tomorrow too. Out of God’s great love which He has poured on His children we can find a living hope for the days which lie ahead. Peter wrote: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade - kept in heaven for you, . . . .” (1 Peter 1:3-4).
Our journey sometimes finds us forgetting that we are just pilgrims upon this earth and that this is not our permanent home; our permanent, eternal home is waiting in Heaven. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:1-3 NIV). In the midst of physical and emotional hurricanes I choose to be extravagant in my thanks to my Savior and God! HOORAY for GOD! He has blessed us through His Son, Jesus Christ, with the salvation of our souls and He continues to bless us each day that we wake up and follow Him! HOORAY for GOD!
“Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits - who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, . . . .” Psalm 103:1-4
Give heartfelt thanks this month for the glorious love of God which He has bestowed on us through the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ! Praise Him!
Pastor Stephen Bowe
