A Big Pile of Thanks
12-1-2023
C. Hayden
In a few days we will be entering into the advent season, celebrating one of Christianity’s most holy times of the
year. But before we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, marked by much gift giving and families gathering
around tables filled with yummy culinary delights, it behooves us to remember the many blessings we have already
received. I have been looking through the store circulars that the local paper (The Tab), brings us each month. I
look through these advertisements to find items that might be a good gift to buy for one of my family members
(mostly my grandchildren) for our Christmas gift-giving time. As I perused the ads, one thing I noticed. There
wasn’t much I found that I really wanted for myself, and there was absolutely nothing that I needed. God has so
sufficiently provided for my needs that every year I seem to have more and more difficulty what to tell others to
get me for Christmas. Not everyone is as fortunate as me. There are some real needs out there.
In this country, we have truly been blessed. This is just one reason that we should be thankful. Scripture
tells us again and again to give thanks unto the Lord. In fact, the concept of giving thanks is spoken of almost 150
times throughout the Old and New Testaments. Below is just a few:
Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks
to God the Father through him.
Psalm 100:1-5 A Psalm for giving thanks. Make a joyful noise to the L ORD , all
the earth! Serve the L ORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know
that the L ORD , he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people,
and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with
praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the L ORD is good; his steadfast
love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Psalm 107:1 Oh give thanks to the L ORD , for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!
I know that all of us go through difficulty at times and some situations can make it difficult to be thankful.
But God isn’t asking us to be thankful FOR all things, He instructs us to be thankful IN all things. He knows that in
this world we will experience tribulation. But He also tells us to be of good cheer and many times be thankful, for
He has overcome this world, He has set the captives free, and He is coming back to set all things right (John 16:33,
Isaiah 61:1, Revelations 21:5).
Be blessed even more you wonderful children of God!!
Pastor Chris
