Be Thankful

249 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from 2Ti 3:1,2, “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful,” (2 Tim 3:1,2) We are looking at these strength sapping influences and behaviors that will plague the church until our Lord returns. Today, let's look at being unthankful. The giving of thanks is absolutely vital to the health of a congregation! Writing to the Ephesians concerning congregational practices, we read in Eph 5:18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,! Congregations should be filled with people who gladly and promptly express thanksgiving! Giving thanks is smack dab in the center of God's will! 1Th 5:18 says, “ in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. And in Col 3:17 we read, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” This vital part of the life of a Christian in private and amongst the brethren can be ignored or blown off or forgotten in the midst of carrying out our Christian duties! Sometimes we neglect to give thanks because we are just too preoccupied with self! Giving glory to God is very important, lest we slip into the trap of self-glorification. Remember the ten lepers? Lu 17:12-18, “Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. 13 And they lifted up their voices and said, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" 14 So when He saw them, He said to them, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. 15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. 17 So Jesus answered and said, "Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? 18 "Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?" Look, I know you are relieved to be healed or delivered, and you are anxious to get on with your life again, but let this account of the lepers be a reminder to you and your congregation to make time for regular giving of thanks! The church is weakened without it!