Have you ever thought about how giving thanks parallels praise? Both are exalting God for His faithfulness and provision. When we give thanks and/or praise Him we demonstrate faith and trust. Hebrews 11:6 says without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He is a rewarder of those who earnestly seek Him.
I’m thankful for changed hearts and lives that are radically different! An inmate asked how do I get rid of hate? I told him he couldn’t deal with the hate in his heart until he experienced the forgiveness of Christ in his own heart. Then he could forgive the one he hated. I said you must be forgiven to forgive and one must possess love to extend it to another. Only One has that kind of love, and it’s Jesus Christ who is willing to forgive our sins when we hate Him. Forgiveness is not easy. It takes the supernatural work of God. Those forgiven can forgive. He shed His blood, and paid our debt on the cross. This friend agreed that it was time to place his trust in God because hate was destroying his life. He prayed to receive Jesus into his heart. The tears freely flowed down his face as he trusted and believed. What a holy moment to watch God work to open someone’s heart to experience God’s love that then conquered his hate. That’s what your prayers do. They prepare the way for brokenness, repentance, and confession of faith.
The Bible speaks of giving a sacrifice of praise from lips that proclaim His dear Name. This sacrifice I believe is our choice to thank Him in everything 1 Thessalonians 5:18. The giving of thanks should be spontaneous, but some struggle to think of even one item to be grateful for. The Scriptures tell us in the last days men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers (abusive language), disobedient to parents, ungrateful… 2 Timothy3:1-5. These attitudes and behaviors are so prevalent in our society today! They are indicative of the last days, so it’s even more urgent to get the life changing message of the gospel to a lost and dying world; like those in the Polk County Jail. I am truly grateful for your powerful and effective prayers. Their impact is immeasurable! The Board and I want to say thanks for all of your financial gifts as well that allow this ministry to flourish, and help accomplish what God has called us to do. What a great eternal investment you have made in lives which will gain eternal rewards. Amen!
