Be Thankful Pastor thoughts May 5 2010

PASTOR JACK'S THOUGHTS    MAY 5, 2010

BE THANKFUL!!
These are two simple yet powerful little words, be thankful!  They are words that carry with them much peace, comfort and joy.  God's Word urges us to be thankful and to rejoice. It is a standard for every Christian. Actually being thankful is an attitude by which we should live our lives. Hebrews 12:28b says, "....let us be thankful and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe..."  Thankfulness is a meaningful part of our worship to God everyday.

Unfortunately, we often forget to be thankful and ask, "What do I have to be thankful for?"  I am reminded of a man in the Old Testament who didn't see the need to be thankful.  The story is found in I Samuel 25.  David's troops had protected the servants and property of a certain man named Nabal.  It was the time of harvest when food was plentiful and David sent word to Nabal and asked if he would please give a little food to his troops since they had provided protection for him and his family throughout the year.  Nabal was drunk and refused to show any thankfulness for David and his men. He was not thankful!! David was furious and immediately prepared to take revenge on Nabal but Nabal's wife, Abigail heard about the incident and protected the life of her husband by quickly preparing food for David and his servant and begging David's forgiveness for her husband's rude and unthankful attitude.  David listened to her and forgave Nabal because of Abigail's thankful actions and words.  Actually, the Bible says that God, Himself, took Nabal's life because of his unthankful attitude and later, Abigail became David's wife.  Interesting story!

This week, we have a golden opportunity to show our thankfulness to someone we love and cherish.  This Sunday is Mother's Day.  We all have or have had a mother.  With a few exceptions, she is the one who cared for us and gave us so much during the first 18 years of life! Once a year, we have the blessed opportunity to honor her and thank her for all her selfless work during childhood.  It is a special day!  Be thankful! We often think of giving flowers or gifts, which is great, but the most cherished thing for a mother's heart is when her child says, "Thank you Mom. I love you."  These are golden words for a golden lady. We should express our thanks everyday throughout the whole year, but especially on 'her day.'

Col. 3:15b says, "Be thankful!"  It is a command and not an option. Let us not be like Nabal but let us freely give thanks to God, our parents and others.  Be a thankful person!  You will find that your life will be changed when you are truly thankful!

With Thanksgiving!
Pastor Jack

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