Are you Thankful?

Being that tomorrow is Thanksgiving, I have given a lot of thoughts about the real meaning of Thanksgiving. It is more than a day off work, or a miniature break from school. If you ask people, they say: family, Jesus for saving me, friends, etc.

But lets look at this another way. When Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed for you and me. Don't believe that? Read John 17:20-26. In the first part of the chapter, He prays for Himself, asking God if it was possible that this cup could be taken from Him. He then prayed for His immediate followers, the Apostles. And then He said, "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message (that's you!), that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I AM in You. Is your Church and its closest neighbor one? Are you one with other believers? Re read those verses again, and then read Romans 14. How does your church stand up to this Biblical COMMAND? How about you? Are you truly Thankful that your church only asked for your attendance and tithe check?

Now let me tell you what we should be thankful for above all else.

Be thankful that Jesus did not call 12 Legions of Angels to deliver Him (Matthew 26: 53)

Be thankful that Jesus chose to "drink that cup" (John 18:11)

Be thankful that God allowed Gentiles to accept His Salvation (Romans)

Be thankful that Jesus did not ask his Father to remove Him from the Cross.

Be thankful that your name was not in the obituary's this morning

Be thankful that you can freely worship at the Church of your choosing. In some countries, Christians are killed for going to church, in others they are killed for not going to the "state" church.

Be thankful that it was not you at the whipping post and on the cross-it should have been.

Be thankful that you have an Advocate on Judgment day. You will be alone, and what you've done means nothing. The only thing that will be important is whether Jesus recognizes you or not.

Did you go hungry last night? Did you freeze last night? Do you have a job? Do you have shoes and clothes to wear?

So let me ask you again; are you thankful?

If you are, how can you show God that you are? Besides accepting His Son as your Lord and Savior, their are other ways.

Worship Him! Worship means "to adore"-not go to church, sing three songs, doze through a sermon, and then run over old people trying to leave. Take some time, raise your hands torward heaven and truly ADORE HIM.

Praise Him! I mean, really Praise Him...loudly and for everything.

Love Him- He said "if you love Me, keep my commandments". So, do you Love Him? Its not a yes or no question, it is proven with action.

Now, let us vow today to truly be thankful! If we seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, all of those other things are added for free!

Praise Jehovah, the Great I AM!