The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light” (Colossians 1:12).

It was just one of those afternoons when Marsha and her teenage daughter, Lucinda, were at odds. Marsha was trying to be patient with her teenager. She knew it was a hard time for her, and she truly cared. But it just seemed like everything that Marsha said, Lucy opposed.

The discussion soon focused on Lucy’s lack of appreciation for the blessings she had. Marsha felt herself growing less and less patient. Then Lucinda Margaret pushed the buttons one too many times when she said, “You don’t understand, Mom. I have absolutely nothing to be thankful for.”

Mom turned and quietly spoke, “I am sorry, Honey, that you have nothing for which to give thanks. I know that this is not true, and I know that you know this is not true. But even if it were, King David said, ‘Give thanks at remembering the holiness of God according to Psalm 30:4. As a believer you can be thankful for the wonderful future that lies ahead according to Colossians 1. I suggest you just go to your room and give me a little time to calm down. NOW!”

Tears ran down Marsha’s cheeks as she whispered, “My heart is hurt at the way Lucy has treated You and me today. But, Lord, I know there have been times I’ve acted the same way toward You. In spite of all this, I thank you, LORD, for Your awesome, awesome holiness and the glorious inheritance that is mine right now.”

Right now today: Aren’t you glad that you belong to such an amazing Lord? Oh, by the way, it wasn’t long before Lucy was back and apologizing, having had much to think about because Mom spoke of the holiness of God and her position as a believer.

He was so gifted.
He was so motivated.
He was so driven.
And yet he was such a “team player” kind of servant.

I am speaking of the Apostle Paul who wrote to the Ephesian believers saying, “Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers” (Ephesians 1:15-16).

As our national holiday of Thanksgiving approaches, be sure to give thanks to the Lord for the dear people that He has brought into your life. While you are thanking the Lord, what a wonderful time it would be to say “thank you” to them as well.

I am thankful to the Apostle Paul for his example. Someday I want to thank him in person. I have many others for whom I am thankful. It’s a blessing to let them know. How about you? How will this play out in your life today?

Volumes could be written about this verse today and yet it would not be adequately covered.

The most articulate and the greatest gifted speaker could expound for hours about this verse and yet it would not be adequately covered.
Here’s the verse. “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15).

Stores are in full swing in their advertising of Christmas gifts. Sometimes it seems like the barrage and onslaught of advertising overshadows the blessedness of the greatest gift of all. The gift of God to a world of people who desperately need the Savior is by far the greatest gift of all! What a precious gift.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). It’s the gift everyone needs. It’s the gift that is never outdated. It is the gift that should bring the greatest thanksgiving of all. How will this affect you today?

May I suggest something to myself and all my readers? Let’s not get so busy at this time of the year that we forget to give thanks to God for His unspeakable gift!

I don’t know about you, but it has been a blessing for me to look up these verses which express the giving of thanks. I have so much for which to be thankful. I hope they have been a blessing to you as well. I have another verse for us today.

“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of His knowledge by us in every place” (2 Corinthians 2:14).

Paul had many disappointments and setbacks in his ministry. He did not deny these; however, he kept the proper perspective of triumph through all the experiences of his church planting ministries.
He knew that God is sovereign.
He knew that God could be trusted in every circumstance.

The expression of such trust is like the beautiful odor of incense giving off the fragrance of the Lord Jesus in Paul’s life and labor. May our quiet trust and assurance of triumph through Christ be a sweet fragrance to others today.

For today: May we give thanks to the God Who ultimately will triumph in every situation. How will this work out in your life today?

“And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks: and he was a Samaritan” (Luke 17:15-16).

It was a tremendous day as the Lord Jesus passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee (Luke 17:11). As the Lord Jesus entered the village, ten lepers cried out for mercy. They cried aloud to the Lord. An incredible miracle took place with all ten being healed by the Lord Jesus as they went to show themselves to the priests. One turned back and ran to the Lord Jesus, falling at His feet and giving Him thanks. The Lord Jesus commented, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?” It was a mighty miracle but a sad commentary. Only one out of the ten returned to give thanks. May that not be true of us today.

For today: I want to bow before Him often and give thanks to Him from my heart. How about you?