Build Each Other Up!

SCRIPTURE—Thanksgiving Day (U.S.)

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 (NRSV)
Keep awake

Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. When they say, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape! But you, beloved, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief; for you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness. So then let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober; for those who sleep sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night.

But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.


DEVOTION

Today we are celebrating Thanksgiving in the United States of America. It is a day when families gather together to give thanks and praise to God for the bountiful harvest of a new year.

It is on this day that we bow our heads in prayer and remember all of the many benefits God has afforded to us. Many of us will give thanks to God for the fact that we are reasonably healthy, happy, holy, and whole. Some of us will be more specific in thanking God for our spouses, children, home, transportation, food, water, clothes, education, health care, and/or employment.

No matter whom we are, or what we do—or do not have—we will thank God for our lives—for the beating of our hearts and the breathing of our lungs! Just the fact that we are able to get on a computer and read this devotional today means that we are blessed beyond measure!

Today I affirm that if we tried to number all of our blessings, we would soon find that it is an impossible project! God has been so good to us!

But, today’s epistle reminds us of one blessing that we cannot neglect to count--His name is JESUS. Paul says, “For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him.”

Hallelujah!

On this day whilst we sit around the table, let us not neglect to encourage and build one another up! This may be the only day out of the year that our non-Christian family members and friends will be receptive to prayer and to the good news message.

As we hold hands and bow our heads around the table, let it not be for form or fashion! Let us use this opportunity to show forth the love of God as it has been revealed to us through Christ Jesus!

Let us not miss out on the chance to gently and humbly share our good news testimonies with those who need to hear it.

Whether or not someone puts all of their hope in Jesus at grandma’s house, we will be used by God to plant a seed that will take root and grow in God’s own time. Now, ain’ta that good news?!

Won’t you pray with me?

Holy God, thank you! I can’t thank you enough! You have been so good to me! On this day of thanks please forgive me of my sin and fill me with the Holy Spirit afresh so that I may be useful to the Kingdom of Love. Please help me to be light and love for all of my family members as we sup around the table, but especially for those who do not have a saving relationship with Jesus Christ! On this day, please let my love for you be contagious and may my family and friends know beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is great joy in knowing you! I pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.


THE INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html