The Testimony of Thanks
1 Chronicles 16:8-13, “Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples. Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; Speak of all His wonders. Glory in His holy name; Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad. Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually. Remember His wonderful deeds which He has done, His marvels and the judgments from His mouth, O seed of Israel His servant, Sons of Jacob, His chosen ones!” NAS
Happy Thanksgiving Neighbors,
Giving thanks is a vital part of a Christian’s life. Thankfulness keeps us humble and happy. Giving thanks reminds us of our dependency on God and His generosity towards us. Giving thanks reminds us that we are blessed, no matter what your circumstances, as a child of God you are blessed. Psychologists and other scientists continue to prove what the Psalmist said thousands of years ago; a person with a grateful heart is happier and lives longer. Thankfulness turns your focus towards all the ways you are blessed and lowers your stress. Thanksgiving is our reminder of God’s faithfulness, His daily faithfulness to sustain and even surpass all that you need.
Thanksgiving provides the perfect opportunity to pray with others, care for others by providing a meal or donating to Thanksgiving food projects and it is certainly a great time to share the love and message of Jesus. I want to encourage you to practice what these verses in 1 Chronicles 16 teach us; this exercise will help form a much needed habit of giving thanks that will help us to focus on the blessing instead of the busyness of this season and life. Thanksgiving will train your heart and mind to seek the Lord and be glad on all days because you will constantly be remembering what God has done, and live in eager expectation of what He will do today.
Giving thanks sings His praises and speaks of His wonders. Many people are afraid to “witness” to a friend or family member because they do not feel that they have enough knowledge of the Bible to defend their faith or might not have the answers to all of their questions. Thanksgiving makes it easy to share Jesus with other people by sharing our personal testimony of His wonderful deeds. No one can deny His blessings in your life, and many of us have been a part of ministry or even miracles. Many of you are here today because you were restored from a disease, depression or an addiction. Some of you sit here today as a testimony of just being able to get out of bed and fight disease, depression or addiction for another day in His strength, one minute at a time. Some can share the great restoration of a relationship, some can share the great hope they have that one day a prodigal will come home, unfaithfulness will be healed, or communication will be restored. We all have something to be thankful for; don’t be afraid to share your story and give Jesus thanks.
I am so thankful for all of you who are devoted to a prayer-care-share lifestyle. I am thankful for our Mission America Coalition and LOVE2020 members and partners. I am thankful for the opportunities that Jesus gives us to minister to others and for allowing us to be servants for His Kingdom. Share your testimony of His wonderful deeds in your life with a neighbor, friend, coworker or even a complete stranger. I challenge you to share the love and message of Jesus with all of your “neighbors” by the end of the year 2020.
Love is a verb…let’s get moving!
Kathy B.
Comments
"Lord, many of us will share thanksgiving Day with family and/or friends who do not know you. Give us Spirit-prompted prayers ... opportunity to show your love ... a gracious way to speak Gospel-truths that you will use to bring them steps closer to faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.