With Thanksgiving

"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"
—Matthew 6:27

It is difficult to watch the news these days. Disease, war, and economic famine dominate the headlines. It is easy for us to become overwhelmed and worried about the future. Every commercial on TV reminds us that Christmas is right around the corner. But when we think of Christmas, we may think of the presents left to buy, and the money that isn’t there. How quickly that season of joy can turn to despair.

Though Wal-Mart and Target may have forgotten about it, we do still have a holiday before Christmas. It is one that, I believe, is essential in our Christian life—Thanksgiving. Even in what may seem like our darkest days, we still have much to be thankful for. The whole of Christian worship is encompassed by God’s own worth and holiness, and our thankfulness. This holiday season, let us follow the words of Paul in Philippians 4:6, where he instructed us, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

Homework this week: Make a list of things that God has given you for which you are grateful. Make a list of the things that are weighing heavily on you. Then in prayer with thanksgiving make your requests known to God.

Extra Credit: Read the short but powerful book by Merlin R. Carothers entitled, Prison to Praise.

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