In Christ we can be truly thankful.
Dr. Charles R. Swindoll writes...
I have a love affair going with Thanksgiving. It’s been going on for
decades, as far back as I can remember. Hands down, it’s my favorite holiday,
because it’s the one time of year we pause to count our blessings.
Thanksgiving seems to blend together all we Americans hold precious and
dear—without the sham and plastic mask of commercialism. Shopping centers
jump from Halloween to Christmas. It is spooks to Santa, pumpkins to
presents, orange and black to red and green. It’s doubtful that any of us
has ever seen (or will ever see) a Pilgrim hype. Just can’t be done. Except
for grocery stores, merchants are mute when Thanksgiving rolls around.
Thanksgiving highlights home and family. It is synonymous with stuff
that can be found only at home—the warmth of a fireplace, early morning
fussing around in the kitchen, kids and grand-kids, long distance phone
calls, family reunions, singing around the piano, holding hands and praying
before that special meal, the Cowboys versus somebody on the tube, a touch
football game in the street or backyard, friends dropping by, pumpkin pie,
homemade rolls, and six million calories.
Thanksgiving drips with national nostalgia. For me, even more so
than the Fourth of July. That holiday reminds us of a war we won, giving
us independence. This one takes us back to a simple slice of life over 370
years ago when our forefathers and mothers realized their dependence on
each other to survive. With Thanksgiving comes a surge of renewed
patriotism, a quiet inner peace that whispers, "I am proud to be an
American."
Thanksgiving turns our heads upward. Just the word "Thanksgiving"
prompts the spirit of humility. Genuine gratitude to God for His mercy, His
abundance, His protection, His smile of favor, and His Gospel—the good news
that Jesus Christ saves sinners.
You see, without Jesus, we are in trouble.
The Bible says that apart from God we have no righteousness of our own.
We are ungodly by choice, by birth and by nature. We are unrighteous because
we reject the will of God. In order for us to embrace the righteousness of
God, we must first admit the true condition of our sinful lives. If we die
without Jesus Christ, we’re going to hell. It’s as simple as that. We’re
doomed forever. There is no second chance, that is our eternity.
But the most marvelous, blessed message is that we need not die like that.
We can be saved from that awful fate—when we embrace the truth of the
Gospel. What is the Gospel? God welcomes sinners. God loves the sinner.
Christ died for the sinner. He was raised for the sinner. He welcomes those
who come to Him by faith.
In Jesus Christ you can know love and forgiveness in heaven. Won’t
you come to know Him today? I plead with you not to put off coming to know
Christ any longer. You can come to know Christ forever, right now. Receive
Jesus Christ personally, admitting you’re a sinner, claiming His grace. You
will have His life, and for all eternity, you can be truly thankful!
Taken from the book,
"Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life", by Charles R. Swindoll. Zondervan Publishing House, a Division of
Harpercollins Publishers, Grand Rapids, Michigan, © 1983, used by
permission.
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