A BLESSED THANKSGIVING TO ALL

Col 2:6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Col 2:7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

Many years ago I heard a description of the attitude of many people as to thankfulness. The speaker described a herd of hogs under some oak trees. They rooted around and grunted with satisfaction upon finding acorns, but never looked up to see where they were coming from. I suppose this stuck with me because it hit so close to home.

As a child I enjoyed the fruits of my parents' labor without a thought of the cost to them. only when I had a family of my own to provide for, did I really begin to appreciate the times I saw the back of my father's shirt white with salt from his sweating as he labored in the fields. Nor did I appreciate my mother's struggles to keep us fed during the depression years until I witnessed helplessly as my wife struggled to make five school lunches with one can of tuna! (The kids still love to talk about this one.)

These stories could be multiplied but they are here only to illustrate a far more important truth. That is, our attitude toward the wonderful work of our Lord in our behalf.

There is a vast difference between enjoying God's blessings and in being thankful for them. Salvation is mine and it wonderful to be able to say with Paul; 2 Tim 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

How often do I really stop and remember the awful cost to my Lord? How many times have I enjoyed the services in my church without considering the price He paid for His Church?
Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

The word translated 'thanksgiving' means simply 'gratitude with worship'. To be really thankful for all His blessings, we must humble ourselves before Him in worship and adoration. Psa 116:12 What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me ?Psa 116:13 I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD. Psa 116:14 I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.

Thank You, Lord

Thanksgiving thoughts and words of praise
For blessings You've bestowed,
From pen of poet and scholar
In abundance, oft have flowed.

How shall I then, tell gratitude
In way not said before?
When words of praise have all been used,
How can I say more?

How can I, unworthy man,
Say thanks to Christ, the King,
When angel choir, with heavenly voice
With praise continual sing?

I have so much for which to say,
"Thank You" when I pray,
And yet to just say "Thank You!"
Is so small a price to pay.

What can I say then, Oh my Lord,
For all you've done for me?
Only this, "Take me and mine,
I give it all to Thee."

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