Thanksgiving this season

Rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks 1 Thes 5:16

If we look back at this year we have had great blessings, from graduations to new jobs, great relationships developed while others strengthened. Some are experiencing a new school, others a new home. From babies born, to marriages established, all in all we have a lot to give thanks for.

Even in light of all these great blessings, we should be most thankful for the greatest, most remarkable gift given to us by God, which is Himself—Emmanuel, God with us.

A child is born, unto us a Son is given…and His name shall be called counselor, mighty God, prince of peace-Is 9:6-7

God came down to live among us in the person of Jesus Christ, so that we will know that he understands and relates to all our ways. He knows intimately our joys and fears, our hopes and despairs and He is not perplexed by our confusion.  Our weaknesses do not surprise Him nor does our sin.  Even though He Himself never sinned, He loved us so much that He took upon Himself the full penalty of all the sins we have ever committed or ever will commit.

As you might remember the scriptures says, there is none righteous (Rom 3:10)….no not one. …and all have sinned and fallen short of God’s perfect standard (Rom 3:23) and  the penalty of this sin is death….hence all of us are condemned to die.

But we give thanks for a God who did not leave us in this state of death, He did not leave us in this state of eternal separation from Him. He demonstrated perfect love and justice towards us through Jesus Christ.  How did He demonstrate love and Justice? Love in that, Jesus died in our place so that we would not face death for our sins….as the scriptures says, “There is no greater love than to laydown ones life for one’s friend”(john 15:13).  Justice in that, Jesus took the sentence of death due us, thus satisfying the perfect standard of God, “ For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor 5:21).

 This love is a gift, that has been given to us all, those who have received this gift have done so by putting their faith in Jesus because they know that He came to die and resurrect so that they will have eternal life with Him (Rom 10:9-10, 1 Thes 5:9-10).  

Because of this gift our heart overflows with thankfulness, and all other blessings are icing on the cake for our increased and sustained joy and peace (John 10:10). For anyone who has never personally put their faith and trust in this complete work of Jesus Christ, today is your chance to receive this love gift given to you by the God who created you.

For those who have already put their faith in Christ, I charge you with this, “May all that you do, bring a smile to the face of our God” (1 Cor 10:31). A heart of gratitude is one of the things that make Him smile (1 Thes 5:16-18), for we all know we have a lot to be thankful for.

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God—1 Cor 10:31

May His peace and love be your comfort always, may He equip you with all that you need to do His will and may He continue to produce in you every good thing that is pleasing to Him, in the power Christ Jesus our Lord (Heb 13:21) Amen.