| The Love of God with Thanksgiving By Timothy W. Burnett |
| There are times when it is difficult to find something to be thankful for. Overburdened with stress and anxiety, it is easy to lose sight of what God has done for the whole world. God gave His beloved son so that we can be filled with holy spirit. He raised His son from the dead so that anybody might be saved, and lay hold of the victory that is even over death itself. This is God's love, which His people should magnify and be thankful for. Jesus Christ showed God's love by willfully laying down his own life. He allowed the Jewish and Roman authorities to seize him. He did not complain when they laid false accusations against him. He did not beg Pontius Pilate to let him go when given the chance. He let himself be chosen to die, instead of a murderer. Jesus Christ knew his authority as the son of God. According to Matthew 26:51-54 he could have prayed to his Father, and would have been given more than 12 legions of angels. Yet he desired to see the scriptures be fulfilled according to his Father's will. His sufferings and death fulfilled the scripture in Genesis 3:15, "...and thou shalt bruise his heel." The word "heel" is a figure of speech emphasizing the temporary nature of Satan's affect on the seed of the woman. Jesus Christ was bruised in that he completely died and was laid in the grave. ?It was only his "heel" in that his Daddy bore witness to the truth by raising him from the dead, never to die again. This is the love of God toward the world. According to 1John 3:16-18, we can know God's love because Jesus Christ laid down his own life for all who would become the brethren. And the brethren ought to lay down their lives for each other. This is a great truth. God's children are not called to die on a cross like Jesus did, but to be living sacrifices. As it is written, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service" (Romans 12:1-2). How can God's people serve Him if they are trying to carry the burdens of stress and anxiety? God teaches His people to not carry those burdens, but to give them to Him in prayer and with thanksgiving. As it is written, "Be anxious for nothing. But in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known unto God..." (Philippians 4:6-7). With thankfulness toward God...let those request be made known to Him. Trust God, that what He promised He is able also to perform. And the peace that is from God absolutely shall guard your hearts and thoughts through Christ Jesus our Lord. |