THANKSGIVING

For years, I have tried to get across to people that Christians are supposed to be content with what they have, and not to lust after or covet things they do not have. I still believe that is true, but the Lord is showing me that there is a vast difference between being content and being thankful. Contentedness is a state in which a person is satisfied with what he has, where as thankfulness is being grateful for even what one does not have. I heard a preacher, this morning on the radio, say that there are five things for which all Christians should be thankful: Faith, Family, Friends, Finances, and the Future. Because I like the number seven, I would add the Filling of the Holy Spirit, and Fellowship of believers. They are:

Faith because the faith we have in Jesus is given to us by God's grace - Rom. 5:15-18; Eph. 2:8-9.

Filling of the Holy Spirit happens when a person is born again spiritually - Jn. 3:3-8; Acts 10:44; Rom. 8:9.

Family may not always be perfect, but they are the ones who sustained us - Lk. 2:51; Eph. 6:1-4.

Friends often are more supportive than family - Matt. 12:50; Jn. 15:13-15.

Fellowship is centered around Christ, forming a bond between believers - Acts 2:42; 1 Jn. 1:7.

Finances for the Christian are always sufficient for what is needed - Matt. 6:25-34; Lk. 9:3.

Future changes that will make us like Jesus - 1 Thes. 4:13-18; 1 Jn. 3:2.

Too often, we focus on how these areas of our life are less than perfect. Our faith is lacking at times (Rom. 12:3-8). As Christians, we "leak" when it comes to being filled with the Holy Spirit; that is why we continually need to be filled again and again (Acts 2:4; 4:8; Rom. 8: all;1 Jn. 1:8-10). Family will let you down (Jn. 7:5). Friends will desert you (Mk. 3:21). Fellowship is easily broken by sin (1 Jn. 1:7). Finances vary from time to time, sometimes having plenty, and sometimes having little (1 Tim. 6:17). But, there is one thing Christians can count on, one thing that will never change: our future is sealed (Eph. 1:13; 3:16-21; 4:30; 1 Jn. 3:2; 5:13). Because God's Word is true, we can call for all Christians to "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name" (Ps. 100:4). He is truth, and He is worthy! Amen!