Thanksgiving or Thanks-Receiving

Acts 20:35 "…remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive."

Who else but Jesus can say such a thing with the clearest of conscience that that is exactly what He did. He gave us creation and our individual lives. He gave Himself as the sacrifice of all from sin and condemnation who would believe. He literally has given and continues to give His all for those in His Kingdom, the true believers.

Thanksgiving Day is the time to express gratitude to the Almighty God and Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord for his grace and show appreciation to family and friends for their unconditional support. 

Giving is how God demonstrates His love for us.

Giving makes you happy. It gives you a positive affect in your soul.

Giving communicates importance to those who otherwise may not feel important.

Giving is God blessing others through your heart and hands.

Giving joyfully blesses God.

Giving connects with community and others in one of the most powerful ways.

Giving is Biblical obedience.

Giving gives your life meaning.

Giving alerts you to further needs of others, opening more doors through which show God's love.

What is one way during the year that we as the church exemplify that openly to our community? Well, Thanksgiving is one of those times we can do that.

This year Community Thanksgiving cannot be observed with all the current restrictions. We need not allow that to dictate what we do otherwise during this awesome annual celebration.

We can either through our home-church or individually see to it that needy families have a blessed Thanksgiving. What's wrong with each family in the church, while purchasing a turkey for themselves, purchase one more and take it to another family? Maybe even cook it for them. What about throwing in a few groceries that would complement a Thanksgiving dinner?

There are a lot of people during these recent down turns in our country who have been driven into the ditch, so-to-speak. They are in financial hardships not of their making. We all know someone who is in that condition. What a demonstration of God's love if they answer a knock on their door to a Thanksgiving dinner. 

That would honor God and country on Thanksgiving.

Charles Empey is the Pastor of Cove Baptist Church, Orange, TX.