The Messenger Magnolia Baptist Church
"Every person a place to serve and a place to belong."
November 2011
A
n old farmer once had an ungodly relative visit him. After the farmer had bowed his head and thanked God for the food they were about to eat, the relative rudely said, “What did you do that for? There’s no God. We live in an age of enlightenment.” The old farmer smiled and said, “There is one on the farm who doesn’t thank God before he eats.” The relative sat up and said, “Who is this enlightened one?” To which the farmer quietly replied, “My pig.” As I look toward the end of the month, there on the last Thursday of November is a quietly reserved block of remembrance we call Thanksgiving. Most of us may feel a bit like the farmer’s pig after the feast is over, but at the core of the day is thankfulness. There may be no other holiday dedicated on the American calendar that is more centered in the Christian faith than this. Now I know Christmas and Easter are seemingly obvious, after all they are centered on Christ right? (Feel free to insert your own snide, sarcastic or cynical response here). But Thanksgiving is different. Set Pilgrims and Indians aside for a moment. Why were the Pilgrims thankful…because they came with a core conviction that every good gift was from above (James 1:17). For the Christian, every day should be Thanksgiving Day. We should even be thankful in the midst of problems. The Apostle Paul said, “I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation” (2 Corinthians 7:4). He knew that God was working all things together for his good, even though he was going through trials (Romans 8:28). Faith and thanksgiving are close friends. Through faith in God, we find thankfulness in all things because His promise is true. He never lets go, even when life seems difficult from our perspective, God is still there with us. Trusting God encourages thanksgiving and thanksgiving gives way to joy. That’s the celebration of the Pilgrims. That’s the celebration of all who follow Jesus. In some ways, our joy is the barometer of our faith in God. Let me give you an example. Imagine if I said I would give you one million dollars if you ripped out the last page of today’s newspaper, and mailed it to me. Of course, you don’t believe that I would do that. But imagine if you did. Imagine if you had knowledge of more than 1,000 people who had sent in the page, and every one received their million dollars—no strings attached. More than that. You had actually called me, and I had assured you personally that I would keep my word. If you believed me, wouldn’t you have joy? If you didn’t believe me—no joy. Your joy would be a barometer as to how much you believed my promise.
720 S. Magnolia Anaheim, CA 92804
We have so much to be thankful for. God has given us exceeding great and precious promises (2 Peter 1:4). Do yourself a big favor—believe the promise, be thankful in them, find joy from them! ~ Jeremy Bratcher