A THANKFUL HEART

A Thankful Heart

During this time of the year, we focus on being thankful. We come together as family and friends to eat and fellowship. It is a wonderful time of the year. Thankfulness is not merely something we should have this time of the year; instead, it should be a way of life. You have probably heard the old, kind of cheesy, statement that says, “Thanksgiving is thanks-living.” It may be a little cheesy but it is so true. Throughout the scriptures, we find example after example of God’s people being thankful.
I will give thanks to the Lord… Ps. 7:17
I will give thanks to Him in song… Ps. 28:7
My God, I will give You thanks forever… Ps. 30:12
Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory… 1 Cor. 15:57
Thanks be to God who always leads us…. 2 Cor. 2:14
Give thanks in all circumstances… 1 Thess. 5:18

Do we spend time other than at dinner expressing our thankfulness to God? We so often get in the mindset of petitioning God that we tend to forget thanking God. In Philippians 4:6, Paul says that our petitions to God must come with thanksgiving. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” In the next verse we are given a promise that if we do verse 6, then we will experience the peace of God. I don’t know about you, but I enjoy the peace of God. In the rat race that most of us call life, it is important to know that at the end of it all, we can have peace.
Today, what are you thankful for? Let me list just a few things that I am thankful for: my wife, my kids, my church, my choir, my orchestra, my band, all the children’s choir workers, the staff at FBC, my ministry assistant Edie, a roof over my head, Godly parents, food on the table, clothes on my back, employment, ministry, music, a God who wants me, a Savior who loves me, a Holy Spirit who guides me, salvation, and an eternal home.
We ought always to thank God for you, brothers,
and rightly so, because your faith is growing
more and more, and the love every one of you
has for each other is increasing.”
2 Thessalonians 1:3
With a thankful heart,
Aaron Hodges