Peace Presbyterian Church

“Learning to Give Thanks”

“...holiday had its origins in our need to give thanks to God, for how He has provided, for His gift of life and His gift of the harvest.”

As we enter the month of November, we are reminded of the importance of giving thanks. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, and I am sure each of us has different things that we enjoy about this particular day. For me, it’s the home made mashed potatoes and the homemade apple pie, as well as spending time with family. The Thanksgiving holiday had its origins in our need to give thanks to God, for how He has provided, for His gift of life and His gift of the harvest. It is most appropriate then that we rediscover the importance of being thankful, of giving thanks to God for the gift of life He has given us, especially in Jesus.

“...God has given us new life and new joy, our hearts cannot help but sing out in praise and in thanksgiving.”

Scripture is full of examples on our need to give thanks to God. In Psalm 30:11-12, for instance, David proclaims,

“You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth
and clothed me with joy,
that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever.”

If we want to enter into His presence, and encounter Him anew and afresh, we must do so in and with an attitude of thanksgiving. David tells us in Psalm 100:4-5,

“Enter His gates with thanksgiving
and His courts with praise;
give thanks to Him and praise His name.
For the Lord is good
and His love endures forever;
His faithfulness continues through all generations.”

“You are my God, and I will give thanks;
you are my God, and I will exalt you.
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
His love endures forever.”

Thankfulness is to permeate our prayer and worship. Paul shares this in Philippians 4:6, saying, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Thanksgiving is the antidote to anxiety, stress and worry. As we commit ourselves to the discipline of thanksgiving, anxiety fades away. We must make a basic choice: will we be worried or will we be thankful? Paul reminds us that we are to be thankful as we worship, saying in Ephesians 5:19, “Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.” Our interactions with God in song and in prayer should always be filled with our giving thanks to Him.

“Let us enjoy being thankful...”

Paul also suggests that all we do should be done in thanks to God, saying in Colossians 3:17, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” All of life, every moment of life is a gift, and a gift of an opportunity to give thanks to God. Let us recommit ourselves then to being people of thanksgiving and gratitude to God. Let us enjoy being thankful all throughout the year, as we recognize the goodness of our God, and as we praise Him for the amazing grace He offers us in and through Jesus Christ.

Love in Christ,
Pastor Brian

Sermons for November 2007
A Study of Colossians 3
Setting our Hearts on Christ

November 4, 2007:     “Being Patient like Jesus”
    Colossians 3:12; Proverbs 14:29; Psalm 37:7; James 5:7-12
    “Communion Sunday”

November 11, 2007:     Sherry Kirton, Guest Speaker
    Pastor Brian on Vacation
    “Day of Prayer for the International Persecuted Church”  www.idop.org
    “Stewardship Sunday”

November 18, 2007:     “Loving to Forgive”
    Colossians 3:13-14; Psalm 130; Matthew 6:14-15
    Congregational Meeting after Church

November 25, 2007:     “Doing Everything for the Lord”
    Colossians 3:15-7; Psalm 47; Ephesians 5:15-21

During the month of November we will continue to study the Third Chapter of Paul’s Letter to the Colossians in reflection on how we can set our hearts on Christ and on how we can enjoy new lives in Him. When provided, please read and reflect on the Scriptures ahead of time in preparation for hearing and responding to God’s Word as it is read and proclaimed.