Give Thanks to God!
Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. — Colossians 3:17
Let me share a story from a devotional, Our Daily Bread:
Every autumn we throw a scrumptious Thanksgiving feast on campus at Cornerstone University. Our students love it! Last year a group of students played a game at their table. They challenged each other to name something they were thankful for—in three seconds or less—without repeating what someone else had said. Anyone who hesitated was out of the game.
There are all kinds of things that students might gripe about—tests, deadlines, rules, and a host of other college‐type complaints. But these students had chosen to be thankful. And my guess is that they all felt a lot better after the game than they would have if they had chosen to complain.
November is the month of thanksgiving. While there will always be things to complain about, if we look carefully there are always blessings to be thankful for. What‘s even more amazing is this: When you are thankful, the things that you complain about will dissolve in the newness of the spirit of thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is the best medicine that you must take everyday.
November is also the month of stewardship. Stewardship is about how we respond to God’s blessing. John Wesley, founder of Methodism, said of stewardship this way:
Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.
We do this because God has done, is doing and will do this way for us. In the month of November you are invited and encouraged to make a commitment to financial stewardship for the ministry of 2019. Let us join together in giving courageously to God for the ministry and future of Aldersgate Church.
Lord, teach me the liberating joy of being thankful! Help me to find the blessings that are locked up in the things I complain about and to regularly express my gratitude to You and others.
Blessings, Pastor Sung Ho