Challenged Champions For Christ Bible Blog 7

                                          Thankfulness in Chains

“I thank God every time I remember you in my prayers for all of you.  I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. Being confident of this,  dear brothers that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1 verses 3-6

Thanksgiving – it’s more than just a time to gather with family and friends eating good food.  It’s a time to look back on all the blessings that God has given to us and be thankful for each and every single one of them.  All  the blessings whether we received them in good times or in bad.  As I was wondering about what kind of blog to write for this thanksgiving holiday I started thinking about one person in the Bible who was always thankful no matter what his situation was in life. That person goes by the name of the Apostle Paul.  In the book of Philippians we find Paul in chains and in prison for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Yet over and over again I was struck by how much Paul was so thankful for the believers in Philippi and all the spiritual gifts and physical gifts they were able to provide for him. Paul stated that the gifts that the believers in Philippi were able to provide for them were being sent up to God as a fragrant offering acceptable and pleasing to God. One of the reasons I believe Paul was able to be continually be thankful no matter what his circumstances was because he knew what it meant to be completely dependent on God.  He even states that I have learned  the secret to be content in any and every situation.  Whether being well fed or being hungry. Whether living in plenty or living in want.  Paul stated that he could do all things through Christ who gave him strength.  Paul knew that above all else God and Jesus Christ had his back.  Paul always knew that no matter what he went through Gods strength would get him through it. That gave Paul a reason to always be thankful and joyful. I believe that another reason Paul was able to be thankful was the fact that even though he was in chains he knew God would be able to take what would seem on the surface to be a hopeless situation and turn it around and use it for the greatest good in Paul’s  mission to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I also believe that Paul was so thankful because he knew that even when he was in chains and in prison he still had friends who would care for him and his needs.  Paul had a lot to be thankful and joyful about.  That’s where I think the secret to being content can be found.  It’s found in relying totally on God and his goodness, always being grateful for the blessings Jesus Christ has given you whether those blessing are physical or spiritual.  The grace and goodness of God in our lives should always give us as believers a reason to be thankful. We as believers should take time to remember all the blessings God has given to us not just on thanksgiving day, but everyday.

A challenge from the challenged Champion:

It’s Thanksgiving Day and today’s challenge is fairly simple as you gather around the table with your family and friends, take some time and quietly thank God for all the blessings he has lavished  upon you and your loved ones.  For that is where the secret to being content is found.  It’s found in realizing that every good and perfect gift is from above and comes down from the father of lights.  

One final thought.  I thought I would take some time to say what I am thankful for on this special day.  I am thankful for my family who has been on this journey with me over the past five years ever since I first entered Bible school when I was nineteen.  It’s been an incredible journey for which my family gave me many incredible gifts.  Gifts such as joy, peace, love  and most important of all,  a love for God and His Word.  I am thankful for the gift of my new baby niece, Kierstin.   I am so thankful she’s here and can’t wait to experience and have many wonderful moments with her as she grows up.  I am thankful for my home church, West Cabarrus Church.  For all the spiritual lessons and blessings they’ve given to me.   I am especially thankful for my friend and mentor, Pastor Terry.  Who was the first to see my gift for preaching and proclaiming Gods Word.  For teaching me the word of God and showing me how I can live it out everyday of my life.  I am also thankful for Liberty University.   For  training me how to be a Champion for Christ. Its been a great adventure and I can’t wait to see what the future holds as I face the possibility of going to seminary.  Last but certainly not least,  I am thankful for the gift of friendship that I share with people.  Friendships like my friendship with Bill Kurvers who takes time out of his busy schedule to mentor me and have breakfast with me as we study Gods Word together.   These are the things I am most thankful for mostly because I see them as gifts from God’s good hand as an expression of his love for me.