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Page added on October 19, 2009

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What are we thankful for?

By Pastor Nilo Briones of “Jesus Word of Life International Fellowship”

October 12^th this year marks another momentous event that highlights the spirit of thanksgiving. Historically, it had a religious beginning as the early pilgrims (who founded the Western world) gratefully celebrated with thanksgiving to God after surviving hardships and sufferings. Nowadays, it becomes a national holiday sumptuously celebrated with a delicious treat of turkey and pumpkin pies. But what are we to thank for? This year has been dramatically twisting fate on humanity with the unprecedented economic recession and calamities that recently struck some nations. Sometimes it’s hard to be grateful when our eyes are focused on our troubles and worries in life. But looking at our situation with spiritual eyes, there are valuable stuff that we are to be thankful still. To mention a few, we learn to defocus our earthly attention from material things to heavenly as we humbly acknowledge that it’s by God’s grace that we are sustained. As the Lord responded to Paul’s prayer saying, “My grace is sufficient unto you for My power is made perfect in your weakness.” Another truth is we learn to develop a character of trust and dependence on the Lord as He strengthens our faith. And, practically speaking, we learn to re-evaluate our spending habits and priorities to conform with the turbulent times.

In human parlance, sometimes there are favors that are never repeated because of lack or the absence of a simple yet sincere “Thank you!” There is nothing novice on this human frailty as the same ungratefulness happened in the olden days, when Jesus had healed ten lepers — only one (who was not a Jew but a Samaritan) returned to thank him. Hence, he questioned, “Weren’t there ten of you who were cleansed? But only one has returned. Where are the other nine? How come none of God’s people wanted to return and give thanks?” We have to give credit where credit was due – to our living God who deserves praise and thanks. There’s a biblical principle on the traditional proverb that says, “If you don’t know how to look back to where you came from, you will not reach destination (Tagalog translation says, “Ang hindi marunong lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay hindi makararating sa paroroonan”). God’s word teaches us not to forget Him who made all blessings possible. Also, we need to remember those people who, in one way or another, have been used by God to bless us.

Prayers and feasting are warm, faithful ways to celebrate thanksgiving. But if we’re truly thankful, let’s not forget to extend kindness to those who are hurting, inflicted with pain and suffered loss of homes and loved ones due to the heavy storm floods that ravaged our Philippine nation. Let’s be united to extend help to those who are in dire need. Jesus says, “Whatever you have done to the least of my brethren, you have done it unto Me.” It’s love in action that counts!

Jesus Word of Life Church is now congregating at North East Bible Church Building located at 175 Whitefield Drive NE (just close by the Whitehorn C-train station). Schedule of Saturday services: 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. (Bible Studies for children/youth/adult) and worship (6:00 – 7:30 p.m.) followed by fellowship with light dining. If you need to be ministered in praye, please don’t hesitate to call Pastor Nilo at(403) 973-0623 or e-mail at nhil_julie@yahoo.com.

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