Good evening brethren, and Happy Sabbath, with a bonus:  Gobble, gobble, gobble!

It's almost time

Next Thursday marks a highlight for most Americans - Thanksgiving.  And while this is not a Holy Day commanded to be observed in the Bible, it is a holiday that we as Christians can observe in good conscience.  It has no false pagan origins that holidays such as Christmas and Easter contain in an attempt to mix truth and error. Rather, Thanksgiving is a secular holiday set aside by our forebears to give thanks for all we have been blessed with in this great nation.  You can read more on its origins here.

What are you most thankful for?

This is a question that is often associated with Thanksgiving, and rightly so!  Perhaps your family does as ours does, and takes turns going around the table with everyone giving thanks for something special that has happened in the past year.  It might be something tangible - like the birth of a new baby or a steady job. Perhaps it's something harder to define - like overcoming personal tragedy, or coming to an understanding of how to be a better spouse.  

I'm sure there are many things you have already received in life that you are truly thankful for.  But I think we would all agree there is a gift we all look forward to that is far superior to anything we have received thus far.  Jesus spoke of it in Luke 12:32 (NKJV), "Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."  In a section of scripture where Christ is teaching His followers not to be fooled by hypocrites, or put trust in the wrong things and to not be fearful of what people can do to you, Christ gave His audience a little encouraging reminder:  God wants to give you the Kingdom of God.

The encouragement is no less applicable to us today.  In a world full of bad news, hypocracy, wrong attitudes and deceit, it's easy to lose sight of this fact:  God's the Father's earnest desire is for us to have the best gift of all - eternal life in the Kingdom of God!

Be thankful!

Next Thursday, take a little time to thank God for some of the physical blessings you've received this past year.  This might be hard to do if you've seemingly had nothing but trials for as long as you can remember, but if you think long enough, I'm sure you'll find there is something there.  No matter what it is, remember there is something coming that is better still. Nothing we can earn or obtain ourselves, but something that can only be received as a gift: the coming Kingdom of God!