God and Me in Twenty-Three (2023): Thanksgiving is more than one day once a year.
I’m sitting here at my computer on Thanksgiving eve, 2022, just pondering all the things in my life that I have to be thankful for. Does that mean that everything is perfect? I received word that my aunt’s husband just passed away as they were on their way south for the winter. We just heard that a good friend of ours just spent some time in the hospital and is not feeling well at all. I’m missing my Mom this holiday season, and it doesn’t seem complete without her to share it with. My cousin is currently battling lung cancer. Need I go on? Suffice it to say, everything is NOT perfect! Not by a longshot! But God is still God and He loves us more than we can imagine!
God’s Word the, Bible, tells us how to be thankful and praise the Lord even in times of trials and problems:
Romans 5:1-5 (NIV)
1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-9 (NIV)
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me–put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
My thoughts just took me back to the time I was taking my Dad to his doctor’s appointment not long before he went to be with the Lord. He told me that he was concerned about the way he was feeling and hoped the doctor could find out what was wrong. I said “Dad, are you okay with the MAN UPSTAIRS?” He answered “Yes I am!” I said “so… you have asked Him to forgive your sins and to be your Savior?” He answered… “Yes I Have!” To which I respond “then you don’t have anything to worry about, either way you will be okay!”
I am so very thankful that I know, that I know, that I know, my Mom & Dad are both in Heaven with the Lord! I remember I said something like this at Dad’s funeral; the most important thing we can do for our loved ones is to give them the same assurance that my Dad gave me. Let them know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are in right standing with the Lord, and Heaven will be your ultimate destination! It’s so easy to do and you don’t have to clean yourself up before you ask Him to forgive your sins and to be your Savior. Your loved ones will be thankful that you did!
Romans 10:9-13 (NIV)
9 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11 As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile–the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
It’s just that easy! If you haven’t already done so, this Thanksgiving would be a wonderful occasion to make that decision!
It’s a WIN/WIN situation! You win and so do your loved ones!
Let me know about your choice. I will be joyful and thankful along with you this Thanksgiving season!
Just think about this… You’ll be able to say…
God and Me in Twenty-Three! (2023)