Always Giving Thanks by John Wright

Always Giving Thanks

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               by John Wright

            It is hard to believe that Thanksgiving is less than four weeks away.  Remember last year?  Did not you and I say that we were going to count our blessings, and make a conscious effort to not get bogged down with our busy lives, and really try to be thankful.  Well, I hate to admit that I have not done well at all.  I am determined to do better this year, and with God's help and yours, I intend to be a man who expresses gratitude for the gift of life.  It is important that we read God's word for it is the reason for the hope that is within us. 

Ephesians 5:20 "...always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus" 

To be truly thankful to God in the face of anything and everything is hard, but it is possible.  How?  We need to live in the name of our Lord Jesus.  I want to pray in Jesus' name, sleep in Jesus' name, wake in Jesus' name, be an employee in Jesus' name, be a husband in Jesus' name, be a dad in Jesus' name, and be a friend in Jesus' name.

Colossians 3:15

 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

        If we take the name of Jesus with us whereever we go, the peace of Christ will cause us to be grateful and give us vision so that we can see beyond ourselves.  When I take my eyes off of Jesus, I develop spiritual nearsightedness. Unless nearsightedness is corrected, I cannot see past the nose on my face, and the only thing that seems important is me.

        This year I am going to use the spiritual glasses that God has given me.  He has given all of us the prescription for perfect spiritual vision.  That prescription was filled at the cross, the ultimate act of serving others.  What we are called to do is serve others in Jesus' name.  Serving God really begins when we live in Jesus name.

John 14:27

 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

With Gods peace we are free to be thankful, it does not matter how rough life may get we can still give thanks.