Giving Thanks

One of the greatest emotional challenges we face is to “give thanks” when faced with potential life altering encounters. It is counter intuitive. When things are going bad, we want to complain. We have reason to whine. Don’t rob me of this one and only comfort. At least that is what many think. Yet we need to ask, just how does all that snivelling actually help? It doesn’t. In fact, complaining will often makes things worse by lowering our tolerance level; it may thwart creative solutions, and often it drives more positive people away, leaving us feeling isolated, alone, and frustrated. There is another way. Those experiencing “Victorious Living” (My present sermon series, which can be found at kootenaychristianfellowship.com) will possess a habit of giving thanks in all and every circumstance of life. This is the teaching Apostle Paul gave to the church at Thessalonica.

He said, “Be joyful always;  pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) Notice it doesn’t say, “for all”, but in all circumstances. It is amazing the creative solutions available when we have a joyful, praying, and thankful attitude. Victorious Living recognizes the need for prayer. Our heads are not in the sand. While we recognize and acknowledge the seriousness of the situation, we look for the good, giving thanks for it. And in it God comes and gives us strength to go through it or to overcome it, or provides a solution to it for a positive change. Whatever happens, we find ourselves in a Victorious Living situation. May I suggest the greater the difficulty, the more important it is to intensify our worship and praise in giving thanks.

Here is what you can expect:

Access to God’s throne room and audience with the King,

Defeat of spiritual forces of Darkness that war against our soul,

Improved emotional and spiritual health,

Greater impact within our sphere of influence,

Creative insights and solutions that will surprise you,

And lastly, a happier you.

So go ahead, give thanks. Start today. Make it a life long habit to give thanks in all circumstances. What a blessing you will receive.

This will be the theme at this Sunday’s celebration at KCF. It is our prayer that all who make the effort to be with us, will go away singing and rejoicing for the time we had together. See you this Sunday! 

Jim Reimer, Pastor

 February 13, 2020