Thanksgiving

2 Thessalonians 1:3 We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing.
 
TODAY in the U.S. is our Thanksgiving holiday. Let’s take a moment from Jesus’ teachings in Matthew for all of us around the world to consider thanksgiving joy in the kingdom of God. Perhaps many of us would like to put 2020 away right now. The year has been very difficult. Some of you have experienced much loss and deprivation. But let’s remember Jesus’ lessons to be at peace in our faith. In thanksgiving today and each day, know you are the Father’s child. Indeed, in the Lord’s kingdom light we have many reasons to be eternally thankful.
   Paul’s thanksgiving blessing to the church in Thessalonica tells a powerful story. The first time Paul went to Thessalonica, Acts 17 tells us that people agitated against his teaching and forced him out of the city. But in faith, Paul and others persisted. The gospel did its work. The Holy Spirit formed a new church! How wonderful to know the Holy Spirit has done this life-transforming work to create a church.
   Then Paul is thankful the story continued. As the church has begun, the people’s faith is growing more and more. God is sanctifying their lives to live into an increasing faith in God’s incomparable riches of his grace. (Ephesians 2:7)
   This is why you, too, can be thankful today and each day of your sanctified life. Consider that each church in the world today exists where once there was no church. Each church has been formed because the Spirit has transformed nonbelievers into believers. The church faithful to the gospel becomes the Living Water to flow throughout the entire earth. You can be especially thankful the Spirit has empowered people of Jesus’ church to move the gospel to write his story of faith onto your heart.
   God’s true church is a true creation miracle. The early church members persevered against agitations, persecutions and many economic and social challenges. New Christians from diverse backgrounds also needed to learn how to be a communion of the saints in God’s church.
   That’s the way it was, and that is how it remains today. In many parts of the world governments, tribal cultures and religions aggressively and dangerously seek to destroy the Lord’s church. Opposition from within also attacks the vitality of Jesus’  church.
   Amid all challenges, though, we echo Paul’s words, thanking God he has given us a growing faith! We treasure the incomparable riches of his grace to faithfully pursue his will done in our lives. We are grateful and humble to enjoy our citizenship in heaven, thankful for many true brothers and sisters in Christ.
   Earthly troubles will always be with us. Yet your faith tells you God is for us (Romans 8:31). God’s faith gift to you is truly a reason to be thankful now and forever. Amen.  
  
Psalms 105:1 Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. 2 Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.