The Pastor's Desk
"A More Thankful Person "
Psalm 92:1
We read in Psalm 92:1; "Let us praise God and give thanks for his many blessings." What do you think would happen if each one of us suddenly became a more thankful person? If all of us suddenly became more appreciative people would this change our world?
No one likes to be taken for granted or to see someone that they love taking things for granted. All of us like to be appreciated, all of us like to be thanked, and all of us, I believe, like to see those we love live thankful lives and appreciative lives. We believe this and we teach our children this virtue. It is good to teach our children to say please and thank you. It helps them out in this world, and it is a great thing to be appreciated and thanked. As we take time to thank God during this time of Thanksgiving, we need to ask, are we really thankful for what God has given us?
In I Thessalonians, chapter five, verse eighteen we read "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." and in Ephesians, chapter five, where Paul is telling new Christians how they should live, it says; "Give thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." The thankful attitude of the early church, of the disciples and the apostles was really incredible and it had a positive impact on the lives of those around them. They lived happy and triumphant lives. They rejoiced even when they were being afflicted and persecuted, and their fellowship continually grew until it reached the ends of the earth. They saw the need to give thanks to God. They gave thanks in all circumstances. They gave thanks for everything. They gave thanks at all times.
This is a step beyond remembering God and thanking God for all the blessings we enjoy. I will admit that when I am feeling pressured I find it difficult to claim the words that says; "Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." (Philippians 4:6) There are times that I have difficulty feeling grateful when things are not going my way. Instead of wanting to praise God, I want to complain and say unfair!
Do you have a faith that is thankful in everything? It's something to think about especially when you consider the power of thanksgiving. Showing thanks and appreciation can have a powerful impact on both children and adults. It is beautiful to watch the transformation that comes over the faces of children when we thank them for something as simple as clearing the dishes or their room. They beam, they radiate, they light up the room as a result of praise. When we give praise we feel better than we did before, better about them, better about ourselves, and better about the world in general.
Giving thanks blesses the person who is thankful and it transforms the person who gives thanks. It works the same way everywhere, with everyone. When we allow the situation we are in to dominate our thought and stop thinking about God's goodness we are in trouble. When we begin to think we have earned and deserve the things we have that is when we suffer spiritually.
God wants us to celebrate his love. God wants us to give thanks in everything. God wants us to remember what He has done so that we will not be afraid when we are in need of help so we will not grow arrogant when prospering. He wants us to remember and give thanks to Him, and to those around us so that our lives will be full of light and hope and our actions full of tenderness and love. As the psalmist declares "It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to his name" Let us praise God and give thanks for his many blessings.
Pastor Ralph
