THANKFUL for What’s REALLY Important!

During the Thanksgiving season we are reminded of the many blessings that God has given to us. The MOST PRECIOUS BLESSING of all is God’s Gift of His Son. “For God so loved the world that HE gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 Through Jesus’ death and resurrection we live as forgiven and redeemed people, thus making (for a believer in Jesus) every day a Thanksgiving Day for without Jesus we would be helpless, hopeless and eternally condemned.

There is a phrase which says: “We are blessed to be a blessing.” Recognizing our blessings are so freely given to us causes us to want to share our blessings - especially the Blessing of our Savior, JESUS! “Christ’s love compels us” (2 Cor. 5:14) to respond to the needs of others, both spiritual and physical needs. By the work and power of the Holy Spirit, we become the channels (tools, instruments) through which God works.

Those who are a blessing to others reflect and live with an attitude that I describe as “an attitude of gratitude.” To live with that attitude means we truly understand that:

1. God is the source of all of our blessings

2. Without God we are nothing.

3. Without belief in Jesus we stand alone in life.

4. Without belief in Jesus we are doomed to eternity in hell.

Because we understand these things and much more we value above all other things in life God’s Grace, Love and Mercy. Therefore we are motivated to live lives which reflect our gratitude for what God has done and is doing in our lives.

One of the absolute BEST ways of honoring God is by TELLING others of God’s love in Jesus; of telling what God has done for all people, and specifically telling of the blessings we have received from God who is our ROCK, refuge, shield, and salvation.

In the ABLAZE emphasis of our church and of our Synod the goal is to TELL 100 Million people of the Good News of Jesus by the year 2017. Why that year? Because it is the 500 th Anniversary of the Reformation. BUT a goal is just a goal to remind and motivate us of our privileged calling - DON’T WAIT to TELL your friends, loved ones and acquaintances in life until 2017 ... because Jesus very well may come beck before 2017 ... THEN (sadly) it will be too late to TELL them.

On November 23 we are having a Friendship Sunday Celebration! Our local ABLAZE leadership team has set a goal for us to bring 75 unchurched (that is people who do not regularly worship in a Christian church or people with no church home) people to church with us that Sunday. WHO have you identified to invite? Have you begun to pray for them? (If not, now is the time!) Also pray for the Holy Spirit to use you.

In my Thanksgiving prayer this year, I will be giving thanks for so many of you who are understanding the urgency of ABLAZE – the mission of Christ’s Church. For indeed: GOD’S MISSION IS MY MISSION AND GOD’S MISSION IS URGENT!!! Your lives demonstrate your thankfulness to God by what you do, say and give.

May you & I give thanks for what’s REALLY IMPORTANT! - Christ in our lives and Christ revealed to others!

Pastor Bruce Noennig