November 2021

Dear friends,

     As we approach Thanksgiving, what are some ways we can become more grateful people?  First, if we want to be thankful, remember that everything we have is from God.  Acknowledge that everything we have is God’s and not ours.  Psalm 24:1 says, “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it”.  When we do this, it reminds us that it is a privilege that God has loaned us everything we have.  I Corinthians 4:7 says, “What do you have that you did not receive?  And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?”

     Secondly, if we want to be thankful, we need to avoid complaining.  Consider this challenge – try to go six weeks without complaining.  I think you will notice that the quality of your life will improve.  So, quit complaining and start praising, and see what happens in your life.

     Someone has said, “I used to think people complained because they had a lot of problems but, I have come to realize that they have problems because they complain”.  Complaining makes us miserable.  Psalm 77:3 says, “I mused (or complained) and my spirit grew faint”.

     Complaining is the archenemy of thanksgiving.  The two cannot co-exist in the same heart.  Philippians 2:14 says, “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.

     Another thing we can do to produce a spirit of thanksgiving is to develop the daily discipline of giving thanks.  To be thankful people, we need to start giving thanks every day, not just once a year on Thanksgiving.  We need to discipline ourselves to find “something” each day that we can be thankful for and express our thanks to God.  Thanksgiving must become a daily habit. 

     Ephesians 5:19-20 says, “Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”.  Always is the key word, not just on Thanksgiving Day but, every day!

     Here are some questions to ask yourself to see whether you are a thankful person…..or not?  Which do you tend to talk about more – your blessings, or your disappointments?  Are you a complainer, always grumbling, always finding fault with your circumstances?  Are you content with what you have or always dissatisfied and wanting more?  Do you find it easier to count your blessings, or count your afflictions?  Do you express thanks to others when they try to help you, or do you take it as your due?  Would others say that you are a thankful person?   HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

                                                                                                            In His Service,

                                                                                                                 Phil

“Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord,

and he will repay him for his deed.”