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To all my dear ones at Redeemer: “Thanksgiving Living!” Around this time of the year we in the church like to use this phrase. We like to talk to the people of God about living our life each and ever day in a mind set that always gives thanks to Him who has provided everything. Like the use of all the catch expressions we have in the church I am afraid that this one is used but not practiced. In the church thanksgiving has come to mean giving credit where credit is due. We all know and we all confess that credit is due to Jesus. All because of what He has done for us we are bound to thank Him. In and through His Word over and over again He is asking us to live like we are His people. His people live the abundant life. His people want always to share that life with others. His people are not afraid to tell others that He is their Best Friend. His people love Him and everyone knows and sees it by their example of “Thanksgiving Living.” At this Thanksgiving Day how do you plan to express your gratitude to God for His many blessings? Will you offer a well-thought-out prayer of praise before the festive meal, attend the special church service, or perhaps show an act of kindness to someone in dire need? While all these things are good, the psalmist suggests a more excellent way to demonstrate the gratefulness of our hearts. He writes: “And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare His works with rejoicing.” He is referring to public, visible acts of sincere appreciation for God’s past mercies. We too should offer “sacrifices of thanksgiving.” We realize we have no temple, no altar, and no Levitical priesthood. In this age of grace we don’t observe rituals like the Israelites in Old Testament times. How then can we comply with the exhortation of this verse? The answer stated is simply in Romans 12: 1, which says, “I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice.” This is the sacrifice of thanksgiving living every Christian can and should make. God wants your body – your tongue to speak His praise, your hands to do His work, and your feet to run with the Gospel of peace. And He gives His Holy Spirit to bring you to faith so that you are so empowered that you are able to do it. Make this your prayer today: “Lord, in thankfulness for all You have done for me, I give myself to You in spirit, soul and body. I am wholly yours. Use me in any way that You desire for Your praise and glory. This is my sacrifice of thanksgiving, my gift of gratitude. I can do nothing else with the wonderful faith You have granted me. Please take what is all Yours in the first place. Amen”
Only one life to offer – Jesus, my Lord and King; Only one tongue to praise Thee and of Thy mercy sing; Only one heart’s devotion – Saviour, O may it be Consecrated alone to Thy matchless glory, yielded fully to Thee. Happy Thanksgiving Living,
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