November, 2004 Newsletter
Go Back
November 16, 2004
Volume XXXVII
Number 11 |
| Dates to Remember: |
| November 25 | | Thanksgiving Luncheon |
| December 11 | | Sunday School Christmas Program |
|
“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Thanksgiving Day is upon us. I read somewhere that a thankful heart is better caught than taught. Is this true? It has been my experience that I've been encouraged more often by people who were thankful than by those who were grouchy. Is it much easier to catch a thankful spirit than an ungrateful spirit? God has given us a daily choice to be thankful or ungrateful. His will, however, is that we be thankful in all circumstances. (1 Thess. 5:18)
The heart of thankfulness is an attitude of gratitude. Have you thanked God for your life by living it to the fullest? You can express your gratitude to God by giving back to Him doing the best you can with your life.
In John 12, Jesus was honored in the village of Bethany. On this occasion, Mary—the sister of Martha and Lazarus—gave Jesus a gift. The gift was her very, very best. She broke her sixteen-ounce alabaster bottle of expensive perfume and poured it on Jesus’ feet. She had worked for that precious spikenard for years. As she gave that precious gift that was poured out in a matter of seconds, it left behind an eternal memorial. The fragrance from anointing Jesus’ feet filled the whole house. That's what a sacrificial gift normally does—it leaves a fragrance of blessings.
As soon as Mary gave her best to Jesus, Judas Iscariot said, “What a waste!” But Jesus had the final word. He said, “It’s worth it!” The words of Judas “What a waste” are words of a miser. It’s been said that “Misery and miserliness go together.” Don’t be stingy in your devotion to the Lord. Give Him your best and the best will be given to you. Did not Jesus say, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you”? (Luke 6:38)
When you give your best to the Lord, in service and with gifts, there may be someone around you with a spirit of Judas. You might hear the words, “What a waste! You should have done something else with it!” When you serve and give of your best to the Lord, leave the result in God’s hand and don’t get discouraged by critical comments.
“What she has done will be held in memory of her,” said Jesus. And from that day to this day, for thousands of years, the memorial “thanksgiving” message of Mary has been proclaimed to honor the one who had given of her very best. Give your best to the Lord as a token of your thanksgiving to Him. He will repay you abundantly.
— Pastor Jim Sakurai
Go Back
|
