“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Do you give thanks in all circumstances?  That’s God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Think with me about some reasons to give thanks. Look at that piece of bread lying on your plate that you are about to eat. How did it get there? Well, first there had to be a bunch of seeds planted in some field somewhere. Then there needed to be people with good health to be able to operate machinery to plant those seeds, fertilize those seeds, water those seeds. There had to be rain to fall and water the ground. There had to be Someone to cause those little seeds to sprout and grow. The machinery had to have fuel to operate. The sun had to shine regularly. Then there had to be equipment and people to transport the harvested grain and then process it. Then there had to be bakers to bake it. Then there had to be a store and people running the store to sell it. Then you had to have the health, means, ability, and money to get to the store and buy it. On top of all that, there had to be an army to protect our land to keep it peaceful so war wasn’t fought to destroy those plants in the field. Police had to be around to make sure society was stable enough for the grain not to be stolen and you to be able to go to the store and get it. And there had to be air for the plants to grow and for you to breathe so that you could live to enjoy that piece of bread lying on your plate. And that’s just a piece of bread…

Wow! I guess we have a LOT to be thankful for! But finally, all these are blessing from God! He gives us so, so, so much! And it’s not because we’ve earned it or deserve it! What amazing love of our God that He does all this for miserable sinners like you and me, only because of His gracious love and forgiveness in Christ Jesus our Savior!

Yes, we can give thanks in all circumstances because we have a loving God who cares for us physically, but even more importantly, cares for us eternally!

A blessed Thanksgiving to you!

pastor