Thanks-giving

"Happy Thanksgiving!" "Yeah, you too." "What are you doing for thanksgiving this year?" "Oh, eating some pumpkin pie...hanging out with relatives...you know, the usual." "Neat. Well...see you around." Hmmm...how often have we had conversations like the above example? It seems like "Thanksgiving" just rolls off of our tongues without a second thought. Thanksgiving is not about fat turkeys or pumpkin pie. It is about celebrating the sovereign hand of God which protected the pilgrims, as they began life in this New World. We should also remember with thankfulness all that God has done in our lives thus far. But "Thanksgiving" is not the only time we should give thanks to God. Psalm 50:14 "Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High." 1 Corinthians 1:4 "I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus," 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." We should be giving thanks ALWAYS - in ALL circumstances. And do you notice what Psalm 50:14 says? It says "a sacrifice of thanksgiving". What does that mean to us? Well, what is a sacrifice? It is surrendering something that is important to us. That verse seems to imply that we will not always feel like giving thanks - in fact, sometimes it may be downright hard. But God blesses those who do give a sacrifice of thanksgiving. First Thessalonians also says that we are to give thanks in all circumstances. Think God is trying to tell us something here? Psalm 50:23 "The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!" It may seem a whole lot easier to complain or grumble or shake your fist sometimes, but God is in control, even when things seem like they are going haywire. More than likely he is testing us, to see what our response will be (see Job)...but no matter what happens, he is more than worthy of our adoration and thanks. Do others think of you as thankful? Start cultivating an attitude of thankfulness to God today. ~Lady Tai