• Contentment is very rare. Neither the rich nor the poor are content. And so thanksgiving is rare as well. A contented person recognizes that God knows best and is satisfied with what he has. Whether God has chosen to give him much or little, it is the right amount from a wise and loving Father. We live in a culture characterized by craving for "stuff." We are constantly bombarded with ads that are tailored-measured to feed our cravings for things. In fact, we are told we deserve to have "more stuff." We are told the "more stuff" we have, the more happiness, satisfaction and peace we will have. Covetousness, not contentment is encouraged. After all, does the bumper sticker not say, "he who has the most toys wins?" Although the Lord Jesus Himself clearly taught that a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions (Luke 12:15), yet even Christians often fall into the trap of defining their worth and significance in terms of how much stuff they own. We are therefore not a contented people. Contented people are grateful people. This is why it is all the more important for Christians to learn contentment. The sooner we get over the lie that more stuff means more satisfaction, peace, and happiness, the better we will be. One of the many spiritual lessons learned by Paul is contentment. Guided by the Holy Spirit, he shared his experience of learning contentment with the church he established at Philippi in the Roman province of Macedonia.

Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. Philippians 4:11, 12 (NASB).

O Lord, help us to be content,

Whatever we posses;

Protect us from the foolish lie

That "more" brings happiness. -Sper

Ten Tablespoons of Thoughtfulness

• Thinking of God's many blessing will lead to thanksgiving. So times of meditation are needed: short ones at mealtimes, longer ones on rising and retiring, and regular ones in the Lord's house. If you think, you'll thank. As king David pondered the goodness of God, he could not help but pour out his heart in overflowing gratitude to God. He counted his blessings and named them one by one - forgiveness, healing, redemption, satisfied life, and renewal. Make sure you count your blessings during this season of thanksgiving. 

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; Who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle. Psalms 103:1-5 (NASB).

Six Teaspoons of self-knowledge

• Only when we recognize that we have no claim to anything at all will we be grateful for whatever God gives us. Those who presume that they deserve much do not give thanks but give vent to bitterness, envy, jealousy, and greed. These consume and destroy, but thanksgiving brings joy and enrichment of character and courage for the days ahead.

For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? 1 Corinthians 4:7) (NASB).

All in a New Heart

• All of these ingredients are related. A thoughtful person will be contented; a contented person has faith in God's wisdom; a wise man knows both how small and how great he is. And these graces will be developed best when Jesus rules the heart, turning it from greed and envy to service and thanksgiving.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Colossians 3:15 (NASB)

Season With Song - Thanksgiving - Worship

• Having all of the main ingredients may make the pie, but without the proper seasoning it may not be fit to eat. The spices are the smallest part of the recipe but add the most flavor by themselves or by bringing out the best flavor of other ingredients. Add to your life the spice of joy - joy is a combination effect of properly using song - thanksgiving and worship. 

O come, let us sing for joy to the LORD, let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God and a great King above all gods, in whose hand are the depths of the earth, the peaks of the mountains are His also. The sea is His, for it was He who made it, and His hands formed the dry land. Come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand. Psalm 95:1-7 (NASB).

Allow to Cure

• A good recipe not only gives a feeling of great satisfaction and accomplishment as the efforts of the labors pays off in an enjoyable, delicious dish of food, but it also provides a source of strength - health and life. To maintain life, a person must continue to get food and water. So it is with spiritual life and even more. Good spiritual life makes good physical life.

My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones. Proverbs 3:1-8 (NASB).

  • A true life of thanksgiving begins with a personal saving relationship with Jesus Christ. If you are not a believer in Jesus Christ, I urge you to consider the claims of Jesus Christ and the sacrifice He made on the cross for the full payment of your sin debt. Because God loves you, and because God knew that you cannot save yourself from your sins, He sent Jesus, the Son of God, to die on the cross for your sins. Jesus took your place and received the punishment you deserve to receive from a holy and just God. Jesus bore the penalty for your sins so that you may be delivered from God's great wrath against sin. Jesus did all the work for you. By simply and sincerely believing in your heart that He is the Son of God and that He indeed died to save you from your sins, you will be saved. You can be certain of this because God raised Jesus from the dead. His sacrifice for your sins was fully accepted by God. Therefore no other sacrifice for sin is needed. The work for saving you is fully done. 

• If that is your desire today, please I want you to open your heart and talk to God and let Him know what He already knows is your heart's desire. 

"Dear God, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. I believe in my heart that He died for my sins and that He rose again from the dead. I admit before You this moment that I am a sinner. I cannot save myself by my good works. I accept Jesus' death on the cross for the full payment of my sin debt and for the punishment I deserve to receive from You. Jesus I invite You into my heart and my life. Please, take over my life. I am Yours from this day forward. Fill me with all Your fullness and make me all that You want me to be. Thank You for making me Your own today and a new creation. Please help me to love and know You and grow in You. Fill my heart with love for You and Your Word. I thank You for saving me. Amen."