Good Thanks

Good Thanks

"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 NIV

Keith Wishum writes about one family that sat down for a meal, and the
father asked his son to say a blessing.

"It won't do any good," the boy replied.

A little surprised, the dad asked, "Why not?"

"Because Mom made broccoli!"

Wishum ponders: "Of course, even for a kid who doesn't like broccoli, there
were things at the table for which he could have been grateful. Somebody
cooked dinner. He had a table at which to eat, and a house in which to sit.
Perhaps most importantly, he had a mom and dad with whom to share the
broccoli."

Wishum notes that the words that precede "Give thanks" in the Scripture
above are: "Be joyful always" (1 Thessalonians 5:16). Thanksgiving and joy
go together.

"Happiness doesn't bring gratitude; gratitude brings happiness. We won't
experience the joy unless we express the gratitude. Give thanks and feel joy
today," writes Wishum. *

For what are you thankful today?

Give thanks to God, the Giver of all good things. "Every good and perfect
gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who
does not change like shifting shadows" (James 1:17).

Of all of the blessings that God has given and continues to shower upon us,
the Greatest Blessing is the gift of His Son Jesus.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever
believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16 ESV).

When we were perishing because of our sins, Jesus died on the cross to pay
the price for our redemption. "In Him we have redemption through His blood,
the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" (Ephesians
1:7).

God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust
in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts
17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized
(immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). He will
continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His
Word (1 John 1:7-9).

During this Thanksgiving Holiday and every day, let us give good thanks -
especially for the salvation and eternal life that is found in Jesus!

"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" - 2 Corinthians 9:15

-- David A. Sargent
* From "Give Thanks to Feel Joy" by Keith Wishum in A Word from Williams
Road, provided by the Williams Road Church of Christ, Americus, Georgia.

David A. Sargent, Minister