Remember And Thank God!

Beloved,

We are one day away from Thanksgiving Day. Many are preparing for meals with likely a smaller gathering of family and friends from previous years. We may have taken this day a bit for granted and now, with the restrictions associated with COVID-19, we fondly remember and yearn for the days when we would have a house full of people smiling, laughing, joking, hugging, eating, and loving on one another.

Do not lose those memories. By God's grace, we will have those days again.

But, as we look at the challenges we face in this world today, we must take time to thank God for two things - God's blessings on this side of glory and God's blessings on the other side of glory.

What do I mean?

We should all acknowledge that we are living day to day by the grace and mercy of God, God's blessings, God showing us that God loves us on this side of glory. You might find a way to make a list of things in your life that are not the way that you want them to be. For shame if you dwell too long on that list and do not make a longer list of reasons for you to give God praise, honor and glory, thanksgiving for all that God has done for you. That is why I have encouraged you to write your Thanksgiving letters to God. In our routine, we can forget how good, great, amazing, incredible and wonderful that God has been to us. We should always remember and never forget to thank God!

But, that is only one part of God's blessings. The best is yet to come. You see, while some of us focus intently on the here and now, we should all have a vision, a hope, a dream, a desire for the world to come. If you believe in God and believe God's word is true, then you already know that this earth is not our final or true home. It is where we have the opportunity to make decisions among options that will impact our eternal outcome, be it heaven or be it hell. Sorry to sound somber, but the truth will set you free.

You see, some people live as if all there is is what we have on this side of glory. Nothing could be further from the truth. We have another kingdom that is on it's way. We have something greater to look forward to.

Jesus promised that we do.

When Pontius Pilate was questioning Jesus about whether Jesus was the King of the Jews, Jesus responded in John 18:36, "My kingdom is not from this world."

Beloved, Jesus was too wonderful for this world and Jesus was too wonderful to stay and Jesus was too wonderful to leave us behind. Instead, Jesus went ahead of us to prepare a kingdom that is available only to those who have accepted Him as their Lord and Savior. For those who have, this world is not their home. Our true kingdom has yet to come.

So, as we look at the challenges, trials, tribulations, troubles, issues, worries, and concerns that can seem to dominate our existence on this side of glory, I hope and pray that you will remember and thank God that this is not all that there is for us and there are better days ahead.

So, in your COVID-19 Thanksgiving celebrations, whatever form they may be, do all that you can to enjoy the moments that you have. It may not be as you would want it to be; but, a day will come when all disappointment and disruption will cease. Live into that joyful moment to come as if you have already received it. Doing so will make a difference in how you live your life and the impact your life will have on others.

Remember Jesus' promise and thank God that the promise includes you and all others who have accepted God through Jesus Christ as guided by the Holy Spirit.

And, remember that God loves you and I love you too!

Be blessed,

Rev. Cain

P.S. We will have Noonday Prayer today and the sermon broadcast on The Light. Connect if you can as we remember and thank God together!