Thanksgiving 2011

As I sit here waiting for what I know will be a wonderful thanksgiving dinner, I cannot help but reflect on the many blessings of this Thanksgiving Day. While it is easy to look at the blessings I have received and they are many; it is essential I to look at the source of the blessings. I am not blessed because of fate, luck or karma, my and your blessings come from God himself. Consider these verses from scripture. 

• 1 Chronicles 29:10-12
• Psalm 21:1-7 

Hebrews 12:28 reminds us, Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. 

Friends we have received a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Over the last couple of years we have seen many things shaken, have we not?

• Our economy has been shaken.
• The housing market has been shaken.
• Our confidence in people and institutions has been shaken via scandals and cover ups.
• Last year's oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico reminded us our environment has been shaken.

Indeed the things of the world have been shaken. Maybe you have experienced a personal shaking this year as well.

• Uncertainty on the job or a job loss. 
• A financial setback.
• An illness
• A strained relationship. 
• Experienced a loss of a family member or a dear friend to death.
• Nagging fear about the future. 
• Fear of the unknown

Your world is shaken. When we experience a personal shaking it can be very easy to chose to be ungrateful, However the Hebrew writer says we must take a different approach; 

Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful. 

Today, if you have experienced some kind of shaking in your life, look to the unshakeable kingdom of Christ as a reason to choose gratitude. 

The apostle Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:16 – 18, Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Paul says it is God’s will for us to be grateful people. If we are to be grateful people, it all comes down to the choices we make, will we choose to live with a spirit of gratitude or will we focus on ingratitude?

I choose a spirit of gratitude!