Give God Thanks Today!

One of our family’s favorite spots for Thanksgiving Holidays is the Smokey Mountains, right outside of Gatlinburg, TN. It is a time for us to get away from all the demands of life and just enjoy family and reflect on the goodness of God in our life. There is a favorite restaurant of mine up there built on an apple orchard that serves good ole country food from another era. Often, people longingly look back at the time period when this country was settled by pioneers. We have visions of “life on the farm” when Moms were baking fresh apple pies and all the cooking was done from scratch. Where schedules did not have the demands on them like ours do today. But, is that what life was really like back then? In reality, there was no running water and no electricity! None of the modern conveniences we enjoy. I think that the pioneers that founded this country would love to live today--to experience the prosperity and all the modern conveniences that this nation currently enjoys.

This Thanksgiving, let’s not look back or ahead but just take a moment to thank God for what we have today and how He is working in our life now. Take the time to sit quietly and mediate on God’s goodness. As you begin to thank Him from your heart, you will become empowered just by spending time with him! You may find yourself in a challenging situation right now. You might wonder, what do I have to be thankful for? Well, there is always something to be thankful for. For example, God is a patient and merciful God. Hasn’t He forgiven you of past mistakes? He promises to give you new opportunities every day. Psalm 84:4 says, “Blessed are they that dwell in thy house; they will still be praising thee”. You can also thank God for a great church family at ECBC and a place where you can hear the Word of God, enjoy the presence of God, and build strong relationships. If we take the time to think about it, even in the midst of difficult times we have much to be thankful for.

Thanking God isn’t an empty religious gesture. It is a powerful principle that releases even more of God’s power and blessing in our life! Thanking God in the midst of victory or difficult times shows that you trust him no matter what. Giving thanks is one of the best ways to stay in the blessing of God or to escape challenges in your life. One of the greatest observations I have made as a pastor is that the people who are thankful receive from God on a continual basis.

This holiday season, let’s not just be “thankful people”, but let’s actually exercise thanksgiving. Take the time and make the effort right now to THANK GOD for His blessing in your life. Let’s not just look back at what was or look ahead at what will be, but thank God for what he is doing NOW for you. During the next few weeks make the effort to exercise thanksgiving to God for His hand in your life. Dina and I are so thankful that you are in our lives. God has been good to our family at ECBC!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!