Give thanks to the Lord...

Beloved church,

“Let [us] offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and sing joyfully about his glorious acts.” Psalm 107:22

Giving of thanks can often be a misconception of its true meaning. We speak with our mouths, yet our hearts can be cold, full of hurt, or just plain ungrateful. Or we are just thankful to eat turkey, tamales, or arroz con gandules!

Thankfulness means so much more.

Gratefulness is derived from something that has been done for us or given to us that was unexpected or undeserved. So we are eternally grateful!

On this Thanksgiving Day, let us remember what the Lord has done for us. Remember His mighty acts and His songs he sings over us in our most desperate times.

Yes, this year has been a catapult of pain, loss, change, and so much more thrown at us. I’ve asked myself, how do I pastor the flock in these times? Times of such hurt and desperation? How do we continue to be the church?

We can’t be afraid to be real with God in our lamentations like we talked about a couple weeks ago. David was an example of this as he expressed his frustrations but ultimately trusted in God’s deliverance.

While this year has been difficult, it has also been a time of reflection. A time to identify the most important things in our lives. A time to draw near to God in a new way.

The psalm above teaches us to offer thanksgiving in a sacrificial way. Which means being thankful even when we don’t feel it, when we are tired, when we are in our pain, we still give thanks for the memory of who God is and what He has done for us!

Don’t ever forget where and how God healed you and delivered you from the enemy!

In this unprecedented time, let us not forget that God is the reason we sing joyfully. He is the reason we still believe and trust in His faithfulness.

Remember the amazing gift of salvation given to us in Jesus Christ.

“There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

I am thinking of each one of you and how thankful I am to be a part of your lives. I am thankful for being able to share the hope and joy in Jesus Christ.

As you celebrate with your loved ones, be grateful, take a moment to remember how blessed you are. Remember God’s glorious acts that he has done for you and your family and sing a sacrifice of praise! In true thankfulness, we will find blessings and peace.

Happy Thanksgiving! We love you all!

Pastor Temo, Barbara, Adriana, Natalya, & Lucas