“Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;” (Eph. 5:20)
Each year in America we observe a holiday called Thanksgiving, a time set aside to reflect and give thanks for the blessing received in our lifetime and even those of our forefathers. However, this holiday is spent many times stuffing ourselves, reuniting with relatives and friends, going to our favorite vacation spots, etc., without hardly a notice of the meaning of the holiday. Furthermore, we fail to give thanks as often as we are commanded. In Eph. 5:20, we can plainly see that thanksgiving is due always
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We are in the habit of taking for granted the many blessings that God has richly bestowed upon us. It would almost be impossible to remember all the blessings for a year in one day. I find it difficult to remember one day's blessings much less those for one year! Someone once wrote that we should keep our account current with God regarding the sins we have committed, by way of confessing promptly. Shouldn't we also be mindful to return thanks for the many blessings of mercy that God has so richly bestowed upon us through His Son Christ Jesus?
We have so little regard for God's rich mercy that He bestows upon us. We go along each day enjoying the benefits of God's grace without taking the time to return thanks for them. Remember the ten lepers that were cleansed of their leprosy? Only one of them returned to thank the Lord for his cleansing. A very small percentage wouldn't you say? What would the percentage be today in America of those that would notice God's mercy and give thanks? Would it be ten percent? The point is, we are to be thankful always
for all things. We should always be looking for the hand of God in our lives, recognizing what He is doing and giving Him thanks.
Before we ask the Lord our many requests, we should give thanks for His many blessings. It is written in Phil. 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Here we have the instruction not to worry about anything and if there are concerns, go to the Lord in prayer and with thanksgiving let your requests be made known. How should we expect anything from the Lord if we are ungrateful for the blessings He has already bestowed upon us? When we are faithful to thank God for His many blessings, it has a calming effect. It helps us to realize His presence is with us. Having a special time each week to remember the wonderful providence of our Lord Jesus Christ in our lives, and hearing others testify how He has blessed them, helps each of us at Radnor to recognize and thank Him for His blessings.
Let us each day enter into His courts with offerings of thanksgiving, for He is worthy of all praise and all honor and all glory forever and ever. Amen.
In His love and mercy,
Elder Shannon Whipp