11/27/2025
A Thanksgiving message from Pastor Tony Capehart!
Paul writes to the church:
Always be joyful.
Never stop praying.
Be thankful in all circumstances,
this is Godās will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
~ 1st Thessalonians 5:16-18
We come down to the season of Thanksgiving; a time rich with food, family, funā¦and football. Yes, Iām certain the Pilgrims and the Indians played football. Well, at least, Iām sure they had a large meal and rich fellowship together.
With that said, I honestly puzzle over Paulās admonition to be thankful in every circumstance. Really? In everything? I can think of a lot of things Iāve experienced, and Iāve seen others experience of which Iām not so sure about being thankful. Why would God want us to be thankful in everything we face? I have struggled with that.
Yet, I become convinced that being thankful is both being obedient and liberating. When we love, trust, and obey God, He sets us free. Our freedom may or may not be from the current situation weāre facing. It is often freedom on a much deeper level. A freedom where we can live in Christ, even in the face of difficulty.
Billy Graham writes: āThanksgiving is recognition of a debt that cannot be paid. We express thanks, whether or not we are able otherwise to reimburse the giver. When thanksgiving is filled with true meaning and is not just the formality of a polite āthank you,ā it is the recognition of dependence.ā
Brethren, letās pray.
Lord Jesus, I know that apart from You I can do nothing of lasting value. Help me to come to the end of self and allow You to control the reins of my life. Help me to be thankful within everything in this life I face.