Greetings,
From scripture it is obvious that thanksgiving is an attitude that is bound up in a godly way of life. For example, Paul told the church in Colossae and Laodicea, “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:6-7). The word which Paul used and is translated as thanksgiving means – gratitude or grateful language, with the implication that it is expressed to God as an act of worship. Even at the physical level, many studies confirm that by deliberately cultivating gratitude, our overall well-being and happiness is enhanced. God has created within us – within our minds – certain mechanisms that enhance our physical lives. By focusing our minds on recognizing what we have to be thankful about and secondly, by expressing that gratitude to the One who has provided these things, we can gain a positive frame of mind.
The opposite of “abounding in thankfulness” is being cheated by “philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world” (verse 8). The thankfulness of the world hinges on physical things. People are thankful according to how the self is impacted. “Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts …” (Romans 1:21). Our thankfulness should not be measured by our physical environment, particularly as it relates to self. We can be grateful for physical blessings as God is the provider of them but clearly Paul’s intent was for us to be thankful for the way of life we have in Christ.
Whether we live in a country that has a dedicated national day of thanksgiving or not, thanksgiving should characterize the people of God, “… cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God” (2 Corinthians 4:15). Our focus as members can embrace the national day of Thanksgiving, but the expression of gratitude to the One and only true God should be a regular part of all our lives, not just once a year. “In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (2 Thessalonians 5:18).
In the book of Revelation we are given a glimpse of God’s throne and its surroundings. Around the throne are four living creatures which give glory, honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne. The four and twenty elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and say, “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created” (Revelation 4:8-11).
Our reconciled relationship with the Father brings us before His throne. Let’s follow the example set by the spirit beings surrounding His throne and fall down before our Father with expressions of gratitude and thankfulness for His calling and way of life He has bestowed upon us.
Feast Bookings – U.S.
Next week we plan to have details on making hotel bookings for the Feast of Tabernacles in both Tulsa and Oxnard. For those with special handicapped room needs you may contact Marshall Stiver (Tulsa) or myself (Oxnard) for early bookings.
Stiver: H 402 504 4608 marshallstiver@gmail.com
Orchard: C 214 538 4662 borchard439@att.net
Reminder: The bible hymnal is now available on the TFC website – under “Services.”
Sabbath Services this week will originate from Duarte CA.
Warm Regards,
Brian Orchard
