Pastors's Message The Gratitude of a Christian What have you had to give up in order to be a Christian? Have you lost any friends because you're a believer? What about your job? Are your children barred from getting an education because your family goes to church regularly? Have your parents disowned you because you follow Christ? A wealthy native of India came to faith in Christ. Almost immediately after becoming a Christian, all that he owned was taken from him and his wife and children would no longer have anything to do with him. He was asked how he could bear these losses. He replied that many people had asked him that question but that none had asked how he could bear his joys. Certainly, this man found his joy in Christ and found reason to be thankful. Those who belong to Christ always have a reason for gratitude, for, with Christ, we have everything while, apart from Him, we are destitute. The Apostle Paul talks about the attitude we should have "as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved." He counsels us to be compassionate and humble, to be kind and patient, and to forgive others as we have been forgiven. He tells us to let Christ's peace reign in our hearts "and [to] be thankful" (Coiossians 3:12-15). Too often, when we pray we put an agenda before God. We tell Him what we want Him to take care of: Find that person a job, heal that other person, solve our money problems and keep our kids safe. We add our thanks as an afterthought. Try spending your whole prayer time offering thanks, We can even thank God for the adversity He sends into our lives for, as believers, we know that He uses all things for His glory and our good (Romans 8:28). In fact, the Bible tells us, "Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:18).We especially, as God's stewards, should not take for granted the blessings God pours out on us. As His stewards, we acknowledge that all we are and have are his gifts to us. And, as His stewards, we humbly and joyfully give Him thanks. Glad to be in Christ’s service,   Pastor Lyle Hansen

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