November 24, 2019
Greetings and blessings to all of you. This week we will be celebrating GRATITUDE DAY or Thanksgiving Day. Because all things work together for our good that we may be transformed and conformed to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:28-29), God has told us “in everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” The operative word is “In”. It did not say FOR ….it said IN. The Bible has always challenged us “to change”. The change in us will honor God. You may ask after reading the above verse how in the world can God expect us to be grateful in our most difficult and painful situations? Being grateful in suffering seem to make no sense. (I Thess. 5:18) It is easy for us to be grateful for the good things in life a newborn baby, a raise, a new house, or encouraging news from the doctor. But what if you are a paraplegic, or have a diagnosis of terminal disease, or you have chronic pain? How can you be thankful then? I submit that in this verse it is not about how you feel-even though it is real-it really is a choice to do what God says. And that will be based on your theology. It will be based on your view on the Word of God. Do you have a low view of God? Meaning your word is final and not God. Do you have a high view of God? Meaning taking Him seriously. Prov.16:6 says, “And by the fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil.” Last week we touched on “having reverent fear of the Lord.” The fear of the Lord is a state of mind in which our feelings, our will, deeds and goals are exchanged for what God wants. Whenever He gives a command in the Bible it’s for our benefit. Being grateful in the most dire circumstances has a powerful impact on our spiritual growth and maturity in the faith.
Here are some examples:(a) gratitude keeps us continually aware that the Lord is close by. (b) it motivates us to look for His purpose in our circumstance. (c) thanksgiving helps bring our will into submission to God. (d) it reminds us of our continual reliance upon the Lord. (e) thankfulness is an essential ingredient for joy (f) a grateful attitude strengthens our witness. Saints, God loves us.
With the Love of Christ
First Lady Vivian C. Currie
Pastor ALC