Thanksgiving and Thanks Living, part 3

When our circumstances turn from good to bad, when the flow of God’s blessings seem to be temporarily turned off in our lives, what we tend to forget is that it is at these moments that the world is most likely watching our lives very closely. They want to see how we will react.
 

Times of suffering and hardship often provide you and me the greatest opportunity to demonstrate the validity of Christianity. If we are only grateful and joyful when things are going good then how are we any different from the rest of the world? What do we have, that they would want?
 

Peter said in 1 Peter 2:12, “Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation." Simply put: Live such good lives that even though people accuse you of doing wrong, or things go wrong, people may see your good deeds and glorify God
 

Jesus, speaking in Matthew 5:14-16, said, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do you light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before people, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” If you want to be used of God to bring your unsaved friends, family, co-workers, and classmates to Christ, then you must learn to continually praise God, even when things aren’t going good for you – because it’s then, when you’ve got their attention. 

We must offer continual thanks…
 

BECAUSE SATAN IS WATCHING AND LISTENING

Peter says, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast” 1 Peter 5:8-10.
 

Think about this question: What kind of animals do lions most often devour? Answer: The weak, the injured and the sick.

Continued tomorrow