The Sacrifice of Praise (Giving Thanks)
February 25, 2008
Dear Friends,
Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. (Heb. 13:15)
My daughter has chosen a picture on the desktop of her computer of a couple of starving children. When I inquired about the unusual choice, she said it was because it reminds her of how blessed she is. I have found in my own experience that one of the greatest personal benefits of doing mission work is that eye- opening understanding of just how blessed I am.
In my trips I have come to understand a major language difference. I am not referring to differences in the actual language (English vs. Romanian vs. Farsi, etc.). I mean the way we use the language. For example, when I say “there is nothing to eat” what I mean, as I stand before my full refrigerator and cupboard, is that of all of the hundreds of things before me, I do not see anything that strikes my fancy. When my brothers or sisters in the Caribbean, Eastern Europe or Africa say “there is nothing to eat”, they mean there is literally nothing – zero – zip to eat. I can tell you, giving thanks for the food at dinner time (if you have it!) has an entirely different feel in those circumstances than if you are worried about overeating. What a blessing it is to have food!
When I have visited brethren in the hospital in some developing countries, they might be in a room with 50 other people like you see in those old war movies with nothing between them but space enough to walk in. In one town in Jamaica I have visited, there is one doctor for the whole town and no ambulance service. Other people in other towns around the globe would be thrilled to have that one doctor. I have run into countless brothers and sisters who cannot see but cannot afford glasses. I have met brethren whose teeth are quite literally falling out of their heads but cannot afford to see a dentist. What a blessing it is to have medical care when you need it!
Most of us take advantage of the privilege to gather together on Sunday mornings and worship. Many of us also enjoy a mid-week Bible class. We can speak freely to one another and enjoy fellowship outside of meeting. We can preach the Gospel to whomever whenever. Many brethren are not so blessed. Some cannot come out because of health. Many cannot come out because they are in countries that will not allow them to exercise their faith. Many of us do not share our faith with others either in meeting or out of meeting, but there are many who would be killed if they chose to exercise that gift which we cannot seem to find the time, energy or motivation to do. What a blessing it is to be able to share our faith with others!
If time allowed, we could touch on the multitude of blessings we have and take for granted. We can go on and on and on and on and on. God has so richly blessed us and all too often we don’t even notice these blessings until they are taken away. It is not until we are blind that we appreciate the gift of sight. It is not until we can’t walk that we appreciate the gift of mobility. It is not until we are homeless that we appreciate the gift of shelter. Israel was a classic example of taking God for granted. He would bless them immensely and they would immediately lapse into sin and apathy. They grumbled about everything. He would curse them and they would repent. The cycle continued year after year. You would think they would learn. More importantly, you would hope that WE would learn.
Are our prayers filled with things that God needs to do for us or are they filled with thanksgiving for all of the things God has already done for us? Do we see our lack or do we see our prosperity? Has God richly blessed us and taken care of all our needs as He promised or has He somehow made a mistake when it comes to us? Do we see the silver lining to every cloud or do we find the cloud to every silver lining? Are we constantly complaining or are we constantly praising? Do we offer the sacrifice of praise by giving thanks or is that an offering we have chosen to ignore?
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Col. 3:15-17 NIV)
Have a great week,
This Wednesday, Feb. 27th, Bro. Jacob and Sis. Melissa Titman’s infant daughter, Caroline, is undergoing open heart surgery to repair a hole in her heart. If you are so moved, we would ask brethren to observe a day of prayer and fasting to ask our loving heavenly Father to guide the hands of the surgeons and bestow His love on that family according to His will.
