Shepastor: “Don’t Skip ‘Thanksgiving’…”

136 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

² O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.

³ O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.

⁴ To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.

⁵ To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.

⁶ To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.

⁷ To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:

⁸ The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:

⁹ The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 136: 1-9, KJV

 

Commercialism has taken us by storm! Even my teenager said, “Mom, did you notice that the stores put out Christmas decorations on Halloween????” Is it really because people are excited about remembering the gift of the Christ child or is it something else?

It’s as if there is no “sale value” to the Thanksgiving holiday, so let’s just skip it. But we should never skip an opportunity to be thankful. More than turkeys, ham, dressing, pies and family gatherings, we should take this opportunity to deliberately refocus our thoughts upon our many reasons to embrace gratitude.

Someone might be saying, “So much is wrong in the world. There’s so much sickness, death, divisions and destruction. Why should we be thankful?” Let me share a few suggestions: 

Be Thankful…

v The Lord woke you up this morning – be thankful!

v Whatever you have been thru, you are alive to tell the story – be thankful!

v Everyday is a new opportunity to “flip the script” and do a new thing – be thankful!

v No matter your situation, God loves you, God is for you and God is with you – be thankful!

v In America, you have a voice, you can vote, you can make a difference – be thankful!

v If you have food on your table, if you can choose what you want to eat and have the ability to go and get it – be thankful!

v If you have a warm place to sleep – be thankful!

v If you can remember good times with loved ones either still with you or “on the other shore,” be thankful!

v If you are loved and can give love – be thankful!

v If you can help someone else – BE THANKFUL!!!

 

Being thankful, grateful, appreciative, changes your focus from all that is wrong to all that is right. Thankfulness helps you to have hope, because you still have breath in your body – change is possible! Thankfulness reminds you that through Christ, all things are possible. Thankfulness renews your energy and strength, because it forces you to realize all is not lost, you have been in the valley, but you are alive to tell the story!

 CHOOSE to be thankful.

 Oh give THANKS unto the Lord, for God is good and God’s mercy endureth forever!!! PRACTICE THANKFULNESS!

May you and your household have a healthy, safe, love-filled, peace-filled, joy-filled Thanksgiving season!

In Faith, Hope, Perseverance and THANKFULNESS,

Pastor Chris

www.shepastorchris.org