I have two powerful words for you: Be Thankful!  “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

     Every November, you hear about being thankful and grateful for all the blessings in your life.  Sometimes you hear the word “thankful” so often that it ceases to have meaning to you.  I urge you this Thanksgiving and all of November, to view the subject of “thankfulness” with a new energy and focus.

     What does the word “thankful” actually mean? Here are a couple of definitions:

First, it means feeling gratitude - feeling or expressing gratitude.  We must be thankful for small mercies.  Second it means be glad about something- glad or relieved about something.  How has God blessed you this past year?  Can you recall specific times when you called out to Him in prayer?  How did God respond to your requests?    

     Sometimes God doesn’t answer our prayers the way that we think that He should answer them.  God sees our situation much better than we do and we can trust that He always has our best interest in mind.  We only see a tiny piece of the “big puzzle” and God has the “entire puzzle” in His vision.

     Do you every find it difficult to be thankful?  Sometimes situations in our lives can make being thankful a difficult chore.  Even in the worst of times we can find reasons to be thankful.  Knowing that Jesus loves us and chose to willingly die for us is a very big reason to be thankful this year.

     Knowing that God is in control and that He has a purpose for our lives is another reason to be thankful.  God blesses us in so many ways and sometimes we fail to see or recognize His handiwork in our lives.  Think about all the wonderful things in your life such as family and friends. Think about how empty your life would be without them.

     Be thankful for your parents, spouses, and children and any other family members who are close to you. Take the time to tell them how much you appreciate all the little things they do for you.  Write them a note and let them know that what they do for you are valued by you.  Be thankful for the home in which you live.  If you have a warm bed to sleep in and good food to eat, then thank God for providing for your needs.  Give back to someone who is not as blessed as you and donate food or donate your time. 

B is for the BABY Jesus.  Over 2000 years ago, God sent His only Son to earth as a baby in a manger. Thanksgiving is the beginning of the Christmas Season.  Take time this Thanksgiving to thank God for sending us Baby Jesus!

E is for Everlasting life. Everlasting life is what Jesus offers us if we believe in Him and accept His sacrifice on the cross.  Jesus came to earth to pay the price for our sins.  Be thankful to Him for the ultimate sacrifice He made for you.  Because He chose to die for you, you can live forever in Heaven with Him someday.

T is for Thanksgiving turkey. J  This meal reminds us of the first Thanksgiving meal shared by the Native Americans and the Pilgrims.

H is for Health and healing.  Be thankful that when you or someone you care about is ill, you can pray for God’s healing power.  “Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases.” “Psalm 103:2-4

A is for an abundant life. Isn’t it comforting to know that Jesus desires for us to have an abundant life on this earth?  The word abundant describes that which is plentiful or present in great quantities. Jesus desires that our lives are FULL of meaning.  He desires for us to be well supplied and well taken care of.  The month of November is a time of celebrating our abundance and being grateful for our blessings.  Take stock of your life and offer a prayer of thanksgiving to the one who has given you such abundance.”

N is for neighbors and friends. Friends and neighbors are such a treasure in this life.  Whenever you are feeling down, a true friend is always there for you offering love, hope, and encouragement.  The Bible teaches us that it is important to love our friends and neighbors.  Friends are so valuable to us and it is important that we let them know how much they mean to us. Do something special for your friends this November.  Send them a card or a note.  Bake an extra batch of cookies and share these with your neighbors.

K is for King of Kings.  When you bow your head at each meal in November to thank Him for your food and other blessings, don’t forget to thank Him for sending us the greatest King. There will always be evil in our world but our King is greater than the evil. “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:3-5.

F is for Forgiveness.  Can you imagine owing a debt that you can’t pay?  What if a friend offered to repay your debt for you?  When Jesus died on the cross for our sins - that is just what He did.  He paid the price for sins he had not committed.  How grateful we should be for what Jesus did for us.  He died for YOU!  Did you know that if you had been the only person alive, Jesus still would have died for just YOU!  That is how much He loves you!  Thank Him for offering you forgiveness. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

U is for Umbrella of protection. Are you thankful that during times of trouble that you can ask God for His protection?  Knowing that God cares for us and that He is always watching us is very comforting. “But let all who take refuge in You be glad; let them ever sing for joy.  Spread Your protection over them, which those who love Your Name may rejoice in You.” (Psalm 5:10-12).

L is for Love that is unimaginable. God’s love for us is hard to understand because God’s love is unconditional.  God loves us no matter what we do – that is the meaning of grace.  God loves us completely and even sent His Son to die for us.  God expects us and commands us to love one another just as He has loved us.  “A new command I give you: Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love on another.” (John 13:34).

   Let us “B.E.  T.H.A.N.K.F.U.L. on Thanksgiving Day, all of November and every day of the year for all of God’s many blessings. Share this letter and your thankful hearts with everyone!!!  Come and let us worship together. “Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him and bless His name.” (Psalm 100:4). 

                                  In His Service,

                                      Pastor Rob