And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the body. And be thankful. Colossians 3:14-15 ESV

     The Thanksgiving season is a special time of year. A time to be thankful in reflecting, pondering, and remembering blessings of the past, and to anticipate blessings yet to come. There are those, with the anticipation of family and friends who are coming together, that have a special joy which words can’t explain. Others experience the absence of those who are not able to join them for the time of the thanksgiving celebration. Whatever your expectations are for this
thanksgiving, remember three important aspects of life that will always keep you focused on what is important.

LOVE !
     Love is the glue that holds everything together. A love that binds everything together in harmony is a love that is formulated by God Himself. Without a God-formulated love, people starve, children die – those born and yet to be born, marriages fail, a country dies, churches close; those without Christ perish without hope, and darkness wins. The list could go on as to the tragedies that would advance if there wasn’t a God-formulated love. What does, “put on love” mean in the Christian’s life? It means to be as Jesus was, is, and is yet to be in a world that didn’t deserve Him. It means to be as Jesus when everything seems to be falling apart. It means to be as Jesus who came not to condemn but to seek those who are lost. It means to be as Jesus who was a servant leader to all those who followed Him. In short it means to be like Jesus.

PEACE !
     If true peace could be marketed, it would be in great demand as a commodity sought after by many. As Christians we are to have a peace that is beyond understanding by the world. This peace from Christ is only a reality when He rules your heart and you make Him your focus. You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3 ESV

THANKFULNESS !
     Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 100: 4-5 ESV
     Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20 ESV
     The word of God is full of verses in which praise and thanksgiving is given to God. May we live daily with attitudes of gratitude in thanksgiving for all that God has done for us. May we never fail to give thanks to God for all that he has done and all that He is yet to do.

Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David