Be Thankful…Be Light!
As we head into Thanksgiving week, we have a wonderful opportunity in our culture that has served to help us follow God’s mandate to “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in EVERYTHING give thanks: for this is God’s WILL for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Now, we can TRY to be thankful by looking deep into our soul and trying to muster out thankfulness… “come on soul…be thankful…I said BE THANKFUL….COME ON BE THANKFUL!!” If you are like me though, willpower alone will never get you there. Instead, let’s turn to Him, remembering who we are in Him, what He has done, and who He has made us to be!
Often, we are not thankful because we look to what we perceive that we are lacking that would make us thankful. “If I had … then I would be thankful” (fill in the blank as to what you think would make you thankful if you could just have it). Instead…we are children of the King! Who by His grace, His mercy, and His incredible kindness has given us everything we need in Him. Be thankful for who God is, what He has done, and what He will do! Spend time meditating this week on what is ours in Christ. I think what we will find is much fuel for our gratitude as we look to Him.
“See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are” (1 John 3:1).
Take time this week to write out all that is yours as a child of the King! Spend time worshipping Jesus for all He has done, all He is doing, and all He will do!
As we fuel our hearts with gratitude, the Light of Christ shines brightly through us to those around us! As you spend time with friends and family, don’t forget who you are. You are a child of the King! “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Be different, be holy, love those who are unlovable, be grateful, be a servant, be kind, be forgiving. Why… because that is what Christ has done to you! “While we were yet sinners….Christ died for us!” (Roman 5:8).
Show your friends and family something different this week; a life, that is transformed by the Gospel, fueled by thanksgiving of who God is, who loves and serves others radically!
BE THANKFUL…BE LIGHT!!!
Pastor Kevin