I suppose it’s time for my routine monthly post.  One day I am going to remember to put something on here on a more regular schedule.  I was just at the church early this morning (8:00 isn’t really early) thinking about thanksgiving.  The psalmist said “...come before His presence with thanksgiving.” I was just meditating on that and thought I would share a couple of thoughts about thanksgiving and then share a few of things I’m thankful for.

1.  Thanksgiving-gratitude- is the only logical response to the immeasurable grace that God displays to us through salvation.  We too often view God as our benefactor.  That’s to say, we serve God, not necessarily out of gratitude, but from the perspective that we can somehow “pay Him back.” God forbid.  Our ability to serve is only possible by His provision.  Therefore, gratitude is the only logical response when considering what God has done for us.

2.  Thanksgiving is the attitude that God desires in His presence.  I am convince that this isn’t really that difficult or surprising.  If you have a problem being grateful to God then you either don’t know Him or you don’t have a very good perspective of Him.  If you don’t have a very good perspective of Him, chances are you don’t know Him.  We tend to base our thankfulness on the things we don’t have or the circumstances we do have.  Let me explain.  IF I had more of the things I want or had less frustrating circumstance, I could be more grateful.  While that ma seem logically possible, it is spiritually adolescent.  Our culture and humanity tells us that we deserve everything we want.  The Bible teaches we deserve death, bondage, and Hell.  Therefore, whatever you are experiencing right now-regardless of it’s frustration, difficulty, or hardship-is more than you deserve.  If you are getting more than you deserve, then you should be displaying gratitude.  We are innately selfish that we often fail to realize just how much we have.  There are at least 3 billion people in the world who like to have it as bad as the poverty-stricken in America.  The richest 200 people are wealthier that the poorest 250 countries.  Spiritually, Jesus Christ gave His life that you may be free from sin, bondage, and Hell.  That one thought alone should elicit thanksgiving.

Now a few of the many things I am thankful for:
I am thankful for a God who loved me so much that He would rather murder His son than spend eternity without me.
I am thankful for a Savior who was happy to oblige.
I am thankful for a wife who is more than I deserve, just what I need, and make me better than I would be alone.
I am thankful two little boys who just make life fun and worth living.
I am thankful for a church that doesn’t settle for status quo, but is committed to impacting our culture.
I am thankful for a staff that makes me look good.
I am thankful that I have the privilege to preach God’s Word.
I am thankful that I get to witness God changing people’s lives.
I am thankful.