In Everything Give Thanks

Most of us know that we need to be thankful in every situation. But maybe we try and fail sometimes because we forget that thankfulness that is only once piece of a big puzzle. Finding where it will fit in our lives includes reading what comes before the well known verse in Thessalonians.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Be joyful always. Pray continually. Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Wow! That all sounds like a pretty tall order in 2020 as some of us are wondering if they’ll even let us sit down at the table with our own families. But God never intended to simply leave off a few instructions for us to do and then leave town. No Jesus is right here with us and we can begin rejoicing when we remember that he came. Then we can pray because He gave us His Holy Spirit who is teaching us how to pray every day. And now we can give thanks because no matter what…Jesus loves me this I know. For the Bible tells me so!!

I hope you like the video for this coming week. I break into the Christmas carol bin for Joy to the World. How Great Thou Art seemed appropriate as we remember God’s goodness even in what seems a horrible year and Jesus Loves Me is always my own go-to song whenever I am facing confusing or difficult times. I know He is always by my side and that no matter how old I get, I am still His child!! Be blessed. Have a great week-end everybody!

Counting Blessings

Some people from a church in Alabama were talking to me at the annual Strawberry festival here in Florida. They asked me if I could guess three things that God could not do. The first one I did get right because I knew that God can not lie; but the second I had forgotten which is that He also cannot change. That is what I was thinking of today with the recent stock market gyrations coupled with Corona virus hysteria gripping the world. But in the middle of it all the Greatest news of all is that Jesus Christ is the same Savior today that He was yesterday and that He has promised to be with us. In the book of first Thessalonians the Apostle Paul writes to the believers there and tells them that He is thankful for them. Even in the middle of the persecution and even beatings and imprisonments Paul points to the unchanging hope we have in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Taking Time to Be Thankful

We have time to eat turkey

And time to have pie

Time to watch football

And for shopping on line

But for the blessings of God

Will they have time to say “Thanks”

Or just time for politics

And a film with Tom Hanks?

But when Christ is the center

Of all that we say

Then we truly can celebrate

Our Thanksgiving Day!