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An Invitation to Dinner
A
young boy named Johnny who lived on a farm was invited
by his friend Tim to have dinner with their family who
lived in the city nearby.
When all was ready, everyone came to the dinner
table, sat down together, and began to "dig
right in” - everyone
that is, except for Johnny.
He quietly bowed his head and thanked God for
all the many blessings he had received, for
opportunities to help those who are less fortunate,
for the hospitality of this good family and for
the food they were about to share.
He finished by asking God’s continued
blessing upon their home and their lives.
Somewhat embarrassed and taken back by this, Tim’s
father asked, "Boy,
does everyone out
on the
farm PRAY before they eat food?”
"No
sir”
Johnny replied… "The HOGS don’t!”
What
about YOU and ME?
Do we STOP
and give thanks to the One who has made us and given
to us ALL things?
“Every
good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and
comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there
is no variation or shadow of turning” (James 1:17).
Do we look UP and
give thanks to the Father of lights?
Or, are WE no better than farm animals?
Do we get so enthralled with the GIFT that we
forget the GIVER? “Oh, that men would give
thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His
wonderful works to the children of men!” (Psalm
107:8).
Let us STOP
and give thanks to God for his innumerable
blessings, especially for the spiritual blessings that
come through His Son, JESUS.
“Blessed
be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who
has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the
heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3).
Even though we were separated from God due to our sin
(Isaiah 59:1-2) and at enmity with Him (James 4:4),
because of His great love for us, God sent His Son
into the world to pay the price for our sins through
His death on the cross (Ephesians 1:7).
Through Christ, we can be reconciled to God (2
Corinthians 5:17-21) and blessed with the hope of
living eternally with Him when this life is over
(Romans 2:6-10).
Jesus
WILL save us from our sins when we respond:
in faith
(Acts 16:30-31),
repentance (2
Corinthians 7:9-10), confessing Christ
(Romans 10:9-10), and being baptized
(immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins
(Acts 2:38; Galatians 3:27).
Jesus will CONTINUE
to save those who CONTINUE
to walk in the light of His Word
(1
John 1:7).
"Thanks
be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2
Corinthians 9:15).
Let's be MINDFUL
of God our Creator and Redeemer, the TRUE
source of life and blessing, not only during this
holiday season, but each and every day of our lives.
And
let us RESPOND
to His kindness with thanksgiving and
“thanks-living,”
in faith and obedience to His
divine will.
God bless you!
David
A. Sargent, Minister
Church of Christ at Creekwood
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama 36695
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