Commentary:
Continuous thanksgiving
By Stephen Brown, The Layman, December 21, 2010
Even though the Thanksgiving holiday had its beginning with Christians thanking God for their abundant blessings, it has historically been celebrated by believers and non-believers alike. Now as we move toward Christmas, we as Christians can focus our gratitude on God’s greatest of all gifts, Jesus’ arrival on earth. As Jesus was departing this earth, He promised to always be with His followers. Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, Jesus is present and His peace and strength are continually available to those who trust in Him.
If we allow Him to fill our hearts and minds with thankfulness, we will become what He designed us to be. By giving thanks for everything, the difficulties of life become minor problems rather than major obstacles. We can walk through the darkest days with hope in our hearts knowing Jesus will carry us through. Let us walk the path of thankfulness rejoicing in each day the Lord has given us. For we can be sure that in all things He will provide good if we love Him and have been called according to His purpose.
Jesus loves us with an everlasting love. Before we were born He knew us. His love is an eternal love, wider, longer, higher and deeper than anything we can ever imagine. Nothing in Heaven or on earth can separate us from His amazing love. We can do nothing less than rejoice in His marvelous love with continuous thanksgiving. He is the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace. He is all that we truly need now and that we will need for all eternity.
All of us are engaged in continuous spiritual warfare. Satan desperately wants us to turn from Jesus, diminishing our intimacy with Him. This is not our war – as sinners we are too weak to prevail. We are to call upon His Name. He will fight the battle for us and we can trust Him with our souls. For He is the creator and lover of our souls. Praise the Lord!
We are to be willing to take risks if Jesus leads us that way. When He wants us to speak for Him as His ambassador, we are not to hesitate. Our tendency to live a risk-free life is a form of unbelief. If we stay close to Him, we can walk on perilous trails unafraid. Going out on a limb with Jesus is the safest place to be.
As we ponder the wonder of Christmas, let us sharpen our minds to what God actually did. His plan for our salvation was His eternal plan, a plan that is mysterious to us and beyond our understanding. But He did give us the capacity to recognize His grace and His love. When we accept God as truly sovereign we see Jesus as the way, the truth and the life. We see salvation as God’s gift of grace by our faith in Jesus, which is also a gift from God.
Please allow me a few personal words of thankfulness. I have deep appreciation for the faithful supporters of the Presbyterian Lay Committee (PLC) – those who pray for us and help us financially to continue this ministry. I am exceptionally grateful for God allowing me to serve Him through the PLC. For the last four years I have had the honor to serve as board chairman of a ministry that is deeply devoted to advancing the kingdom of Jesus Christ. My appreciation for this board and our amazing staff is beyond my ability to express. They all stand for the one true Christ of God’s Holy Bible. I can say nothing more significant than that about these godly people.
In January a new board chairman will take the gavel. He is Forrest Norman of Hudson, Ohio. PLC will be in good hands with Forrest – he is deeply devoted to the Lord, his family, his church and the ministry of PLC. He is wise beyond his years.
Please pray for our board and particularly for Forrest. Please also pray for our staff and for Carmen Fowler to continue with her extraordinary leadership as president and executive editor.
From the PLC board and staff – we wish each of you a joyful Christmas, a time filled with continuous thanksgiving!
Stephen G. Brown is an elder at First Presbyterian Church of Haines City, Fla. He is chairman of the Board of Directors and chief executive officer of the Presbyterian Lay Committee.