Fertile Lutheran

November 25, 2015

Thanksgiving Service

                                                              The Thanksgiving Glass

I bet your mother told you to be thankful right? Then you should do it. But the bible told us to be

thankful first. We should do it. But why? Is it the law? No, we have a choice of being thankful or

not. The reason we should be thankful is because being thankful turns our hearts to God and

when we do that- we realize that His deep, deep love for us is more than enough. Pray

I can’t believe it’s Thanksgiving already tomorrow. I don’t know about you- but I am looking

forward to sitting down to a delicious dinner with my family. But Thanksgiving is more than just

glass represents your life and the water in it represents everything in your life. When you look at

the glass of water- what is the first thing you notice first? I’m guessing it’s how full or empty the

glass is.

But the more important question is not whether it is half full or half empty- but if you are

thankful for your glass and what’s in it?

If you were very thirsty-having that glass of water would make you very grateful it was yours.

But what if there was another glass sitting next to it full of your favorite beverage-cherry coke

for instance- (which is mine). Comparing the two- you might begin to wish you had the glass of

coke instead of your glass of water and begin to be no long contented or thankful for the water

even though you were very thankful for the water only a minute ago.

are like me- you would be in despair-lost- not knowing what to do or think.

Now imagine- waking up and realizing it was only a bad dream. Your family is fine and well,

you are disease free and healthy- the stock market did not crash and your home is secure.

Wouldn’t you be happy? Even ecstatic? Dance around the room? I’m guessing you would never

again take for granted the things you have.

Thankful people are content. They take joy in what they have and don’t covet what others have.

Thankful people are humble and ready to forgive- knowing that they themselves have been

forgiven by God and what they have has been a gracious gift from God.

But what if you woke up one morning and realized it was not a dream- that you had really lost

everything- what then? Would you still be thankful- and if so- for what?

Consider the apostle Paul. Early in his life he had been a respected Pharisee- who probably was

at least modestly wealthy. But that all changed when he began to live for Jesus. He lost all of his

earthly possessions and was beaten and imprisoned. And yet, he had learned to be content in

abundance and in want- trusting God to be all he needed.

fully heal, redeem and restore.

We worship God when we give thanks to him as our provider, our savior, and friend. We worship

Him with a sacrifice of thanksgiving-that he is more than enough no matter what.

The Psalmist sang: “Sing praises to the Lord- and give thanks to his holy name- may my soul

praise thee and not be silent. Or Lord my God, I will give thanks to thee forever.” May our

prayers and lives do the same.

In Jesus name- Amen.