REAL THANKSGIVING

Introduction: How can you measure THANKSGIVING? How many CHRISTIANS and non-CHRISTIANS today are just merely THANKFUL for BASIC necessities of life; i.e. food, clothing, houses, vehicles, health, etc.? Do you agree that REAL THANKSGIVING is being OBEDIENT to God’s Will for your life on a daily basis, or taking up a cross—death to self—and following JESUS? REAL THANKSGIVING is LOVING the Lord with all of our heart, soul, and mind. REAL THANKSGIVING is having a good ATTITUDE of GRATITUDE. REAL THANKSGIVING is understanding that we owe JESUS our life! REAL THANKSGIVING is not letting the WORLD CONTROL your thoughts or lifestyle. REAL THANKSGIVING is staying connected to a LOVE RELATIONSHIP that lasts throughout ETERNITY. REAL THANKSGIVING is never getting over that your SINS have been FORGIVEN!

Perhaps this song sums it up:

“I have decided to follow Jesus
I have decided to follow Jesus
No turning back, no turning back
The cross before me, the world behind me
The cross before me, the world behind me
The cross before me, the world behind me
No turning back, no turning back.”

Have you heard about the story behind the great song, “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus”? Here is a copied version (Hymnary.org):

“About 150 years ago, there was a great revival in Wales, United Kingdom. As a result of this, many missionaries came from England and Germany to North-East India to spread the Gospel. At the time, North-East India was not divided into many states as it is today. The region was known as Assam and comprised hundreds of tribes… Naturally, they were not welcomed.

One Welsh missionary succeeded in converting a man, his wife, and two children. This man’s faith proved contagious and many villagers began to accept Christianity. Angry, the village chief summoned all the villagers. He then called the family who had first converted to renounce their faith in public or face execution. Moved by the Holy Spirit, the man instantly composed a song which became famous down the years. He sang:

‘I have decided to follow Jesus. (3 times)
No turning back, no turning back.’”

Conclusion: Are you REALLY THANKFUL, and show it daily? There are many believers as well as unbelievers that need to “LET GO” of your life and “LET GOD” into your life! Maybe you need that today. Go ahead. You will be THANKFUL!
 
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese