THINK ABOUT IT:
If we really want to be full of THANKS LIVING this THANKSGIVING we must seek to remember and live out a few very important things!
(Please note: These are meant to be declarations so they are written in the first person because I for one need to remember these things and live them out.)
#1 - LIFE from a heavenly perspective is not about me and my happiness. It is more about the smile I can put on God's face through my times of fellowship with Him, my heart to seek Him, my willingness to surrender to Him and my desire to serve those He calls me to serve in humility and with sincere gratefulness for being entrusted with such amazing opportunities.
#2 - LIFE is not about me feeling fulfilled at what I do, with the title I do or don't have, or how much money I make or don't make. It is more about me fulfilling His plans and purposes with the life He has given me while here on planet earth. It is about living with the hope of hearing Him say one day 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'"
#3 - LIFE is not about my popularity or lack of it. It is not about Facebook likes, Instagram feeds, Twitter followers or the lack thereof. It is more about the likes that I get from the heart of God in response to how much I seek to proclaim His name and share His love with others. Life always goes into overdrive when I am not at the center of everything, but rather when God has center stage in my heart and mind.
#4 - LIFE is about God my Father, Jesus my Lord, and the Holy Spirit indwelling me as the temple of God. It is about living for Him and remembering that to know Him is the greatest privilege known to any man (or woman).
#5 - LIFE is about loving the amazing family God has given me, spending great times with them, creating memories with them and always being grateful for them. After God, they take the biggest place in my heart and I treasure the countless memories we have created together. Lord, help me to give more than I take from them.
In closing, let's remember that life is not about me or you, or just our families and friends. If that is all we live for, chances are we are going to feel somewhat empty and will lack a greater sense of purpose and destiny that God wants us all to have.
As I said before, true life is knowing God and making Him known, which includes caring about, and ministering to the poorest of the poor and ministering to those that are totally lost, hurting and without hope in the darkest corners of the world.
If we want to do some Thanks Living and put a smile on the face of God this Thanksgiving (and Christmas) let's look out on the vast unreached harvest fields of the world and ask God what we can do. Say to Him "I want to do more than I am doing now." Then let's do it and never even consider making an excuse or think to ourselves that someone else will step up to get the job done that He has entrusted to me. He is counting on every believer, so let's quit being religious and playing church. Talk is cheap and accomplishes very little if it isn't followed up by actions! Let's do the first works that Jesus called us too! There is an exciting walk of faith God has called us too. A new adventure for us to fulfill. Let's say "Here I am LORD, Send Me, I will do it!!!"
Say this verse over and over " I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13.
Remember this, Thankful people are people who serve, they are people who care and share, they are the doers of the Word. Let that be me and let that be you and together as the children of God we will put a smile on the face of our Heavenly Father, our Lord Jesus Christ and on the faces we reach through our hearts of Thanks Living and Thanks Giving!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
PS - During your Thanksgiving meal talks to your family about how you all together can make a difference. Make a plan and do it!