~~~ Thanksgiving Day ~~~
~~~ Sirach 50:22-24 ~~~ Psalm 145 ~~~ 1Corinthians 1:3-9 ~~~ Luke 17:11-19 ~~~
"...I give thanks to my God always on your account
for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus,
that in him you were enriched in every way..."
for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus,
that in him you were enriched in every way..."
Paul seems to find the right words to use in all circumstances.
He consistently expresses his thanks for his followers
in each city and village he visits.
He even expresses his gratitude from his prison cell.
If Paul had a blog today or a facebook page he would
assuredly have thousands of followers.
Paul not only writes well, he expresses his
love and appreciation to those around him.
Since Paul grew up in a family of tent makers
he understood the importance of expressing gratitude to his customers.
If a merchant expresses thanks to his patrons
they are more likely to return...
it is just a good business practice.
Their was no turkey dinner to celebrate thanksgiving,
but the Bible is full of examples of gratitude.
The psalms contain many hymns of thanks.
When Paul is expressing his gratitude to the people of Corinth today
he is also expressing his thanks to God.
He is thanking God for the grace so generously given to the people.
Without the grace from God the people would not have been able
to hear the message God sent Paul to deliver.
The truth is God is constantly giving us reasons
to be thankful to him...
How much do we take for granted?
Today the church allows us to deviate
from the apocryphal readings of the book of Revelation
because giving thanks is so important.
"Each of the elders held a harp and gold bowls filled with incense,
which are the prayers of the holy ones..."
In the Book of Revelation we are presented
with harp music and bowls of incense...
prayers of praise and thanksgiving.
Is it even possible to give God praise
without also giving our thanks for all he has done for us?
"...Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you."
and let your faithful ones bless you."
Always and in every way give thanks to the Lord.
The Lord bless you and keep.
Live in thanksgiving.
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