Giving in thankfulness

Some of us are laying back with full bellies and hearts as we have spent the day with our loved ones. We come together to give thanks for the immeasurable grace that God has given us … especially in America. We reflect on our salvation and the freedom we have been given in Christ. We thank Him for our loved ones, our health, and our comfort, in Christ Jesus. As Forrest and I unwind and talk about the day I can’t help but have those who suffer today and everyday in the back of my mind and sitting on my heart.

Someone is going to bed this evening having spent the day alone, some are hungry and some have no hope. Someone is rejected by loved ones , some are not free to worship Christ where they live, some are addicted , and some are abused. These things happen all over the world and I can’t help but have a sense of sadness about how blessed I am…I give thanks to you Father for the mercy and grace you have showered over my life. I’m not worthy.. thank you.

Luke 14:13-14 comes to mind when I reflect on these things … “But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” When is the last time we did this? Do we do this ? God’s word says we are to care for the less fortunate, to take care of the orphan and the widow.. to never practice favoritism.

James 1:27 “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”

As we go to bed in our warm houses, as we wake up with plenty of food and a warm shower , a bank account with a little money and people who love us .. as we get in our cars to go find the best sales the day after thanksgiving , Let us not forget the calling God has on every Christian who has received the gift of salvation… to Love others , to serve others, to think of others no matter their position or status as greater than ourselves. Let us remember what TRULY matters in the life. The incorruptible things , like Love. Philippians 2:3 “do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”

We thank HIM for our blessings, we thank HIM for the things we need and the things he gives before we even ask. Let us think of others this season and every day , to give freely as he has given to us , to offer of ourselves without reservation… to fulfill the greatest commandment..and that is to love others as He has loved us.

Matthew 25:34-40 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? …The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Every day is thanksgiving when you belong to the king of kings.

2 Corinthians 4:15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.