Bible Text: “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1Thessalonians 5:18
There are several reasons why human being should be giving thanks to God always:
- That you are alive today among the living, give thanks.
- That you are not confined on hospital bed, give thanks.
- That you are not in the mortuary or inside the grave, give thanks.
Many people who are in some of those locations today are much better and more righteous than many of us whom God kept alive and in good health only by His mercy.
Maybe you are saying, “But I don’t have money.” Some rich people are willing to give away all their money in exchange for good health.
The Holy Spirit through Apostle Paul in 1Thessalonians 5:18 says that we should give thanks in everything. King David also in Psalms 103, Psalms 107 & Psalms 118 gave us several good reasons why we should not cease to give thanks to God. They include forgiveness of sins, divine provisions and divine healings. Please, spare some time to read those Psalms.
I will also like to share with you three important reasons other than those earlier mentioned, why you and I should give thanks to God always and particularly today being the Thanksgiving Tuesday.
1. GIVE THANKS FOR THE SALVATION OF YOUR SOUL. The greatest gift of God to mankind is Salvation:
“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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:16-18
Are you reading this message today and you know in your heart that you have not surrendered your life to the Lord Jesus Christ; you are not yet born again, this is your golden opportunity to do so. Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven; Apostle John and Apostle Paul are my witnesses.
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” Romans 10:9-11
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2Corinthians 5:17
If you have decided to give your life to Christ, please bow your head and pray the following prayers from the depth of your heart:
Lord Jesus Christ, I come before you as a sinner that I am. Please, forgive me all my sins. I confess you as my personal Lord and Saviour. I believe that you died on the Cross for the remission of my sins and you rose up on the 3rd day. I reject Satan and all his works. I enter into covenant with God by the blood of Jesus Christ from today. Lord Jesus Christ, please write my name in your book of Life. Thank you Jesus for saving my soul, in Jesus Christ’s name I pray.
Wow! I congratulate you on this glorious decision you have made today. I encourage you to make the word of God (Holy Bible) the standard for your life and make sure you abide in Christ through holiness and righteous living till the end. Also, find a Bible-believing church around you to identify yourself with the body of Christ and to learn more about the word of God.
2. GIVE THANKS THAT YOU ARE NOT HOPELESS IN THIS WORLD
Although many may not acknowledge it openly, majority of people on earth are completely hopeless. WHY ARE PEOPLE BOTH YOUNG AND OLD, THE POOR AND THE RICH ALWAYS AFRAID OF DEATH? The simple answer is because they are hopeless. They are afraid of what will become of them after death.
As Christians, we should never be afraid of death because we are not hopeless.
“If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” 1Corinthians 15:19-22
“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” 1Thessalonians 4:13-18
Nothing in this world is dependable, no individual or institution (family, government, Business organisations, NGO including religious organizations) in this world is dependable. Whatever benefits you can get from any of the above are temporary and are of no eternal value. Jesus is the only answer and your only hope for eternity.
3. GIVE THANKS TO GOD BECAUSE IT’S NOT YET TOO LATE FOR YOU TO PREPARE FOR HEAVEN
If indeed we have hope of going to be with the Lord in heaven after this woeful and wretched world, then we must keep that hope alive through our daily living. Have you ever wonder why many people become very poor after retirement from employment? The reason is very simple; they are not prepared for retirement. But whether you are prepared or not, you must retire from work one day either voluntarily or compulsorily. So it is with live on Earth, whether you are prepared or not, you will retire from this world one day into eternity. How soon that day will be nobody knows and that is why you and I need to be prepared all the time.
“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:1-3
Jesus Christ promised to go and prepare a place in heaven after which he will come back to take us (Christian believers) home. He requires us to keep our hearts from worldly anxieties and cares of this life, to watch and pray always so that we don’t miss our flight.
“And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” Luke 21:34-36
How many of us are truly watching and praying for His return? If Jesus has come yesterday, would you have gone with Him? Are you truly ready for the Rapture of the saints? Do you know what it takes to be prepared? Do you know that it is your responsibility to make yourself ready?
“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready” Revelation 19:7
I am sure you agree with me that you truly need to thank God that Jesus Christ has not returned before now because He would have met you unprepared. But whether we are ready or not, the Lord is coming soon. Jesus Christ said that His return will come upon many unprepared, like a thief in the night.
“But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,” 1Thessalonians 5:4-9
I am very sure that you don’t want to be left behind, if so, be prepared.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field” Matthew 13:44
“And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” Act 2:44-47
“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city” Hebrews 11:13-16
When a man encountered true salvation, he will be willing to give up everything for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Always remember, that you are a pilgrim and a stranger in this world, you must provide for your own house in the heavenly city.
Prayers: 1. O Lord, make me a grateful child of God in the name of Jesus Christ.
2. O Lord my Father, teach me to do Thy will (Thanksgiving) in Jesus’ Name.
3. O Lord, help me to consciously prepare daily for my heavenly home in Jesus’ Name.
Maranatha!
Pastor Olurinmade Solomon