Thankfulness

   It's Thanksgiving already! People remind us to be thankful for what we have. We're told to count our blessings, such as: family, friends, things we possess, our freedom, food-we do like to eat, clothing, etc.  
   The Apostle Paul writes in II Timothy 3:1-5 that "in the last days perilous times will come" when "men will be unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good...lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness, but denying its power. And from such people turn away!" It seems like we are living in those "last days". Many are not thankful for what they have and want what others have - robbery, murders, swindelers, and such are terrorizing our society!
  But, praise God for those who give to others. They are thankful, loving, kind people. They help "make the world go 'round". They are a blessing on our society to be thankful for, but the others are a blight!
   Yet that which we should be most thankful for is what God has done for us in our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died on Calvary's cross for our sin personally and was buried and the third day arose from the dead and sits at the right hand of God to intercede for us as we believe in Jesus - that He is the Son of God Who lived a sinless life and died a sinner's death for each one of us. Then we will want to live as God instructs in the Bible.
   Thank the Lord for His eternal life and His Word. In Romans 8:28 Paul tells us that "all things work together for our good." God can take bad things that happen to us and use them to make good things happen. When Joseph's brothers sold him as a slave to go to Egypt, it was evil, but God used it to save Joseph's family during a great famine. God still uses bad happenings to accomplish good today. So be thankful for what God allows in your life and see how He can use it for good. But thank Him most of all for sending Jesus to die for us that we may believe and live for Him and enjoy eternal life in heaven with Him. May God bless you with the knowledge of Him.

Sincerely,
Rick