There is a prophetic description of the times we are now living in. It reflects the values of many Western societies and certainly that of the American people. “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” (2 Tim. 3:1-5)

The very first day of thanksgiving in North America was observed at Plymouth in 1621, in what is present day Massachusetts. Out of a hundred and three (103) Pilgrims who landed the previous winter at Plymouth in 1620 - only 56 survived. The hot summer brought abundant crops and in appreciation to God, the governor, William Bradford, set aside a day for feasting and thanksgiving.

Today, Thanksgiving Day has degenerated into a day that our dysfunctional American families meet for a day of gluttony and football, with precious little thanks going to God! Our people don't have any idea that the blessings and abundance that this country has received are a result of God's promises to the Patriarch Abraham.

While we are on our brief "history lesson,” I want you to notice the attitude of another "Abraham" in our nations' history - Abraham Lincoln. Mr. Lincoln was a diligent student of the Bible and is commonly acknowledged as probably the greatest President this country has produced - certainly a far cry from what we see today!

"It is the duty of nations, as well as of men, to owe their dependence upon truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord.... We have been the recipients of the choicest blessings of heaven. We have been preserved these many years, in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown; but we have forgotten God! No human counsel has devised, nor has any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God...."

There are many examples in the Bible of God’s people being unthankful, or showing ingratitude toward God. God delivered the nation Israel from terrible Egyptian bondage. He miraculously saved them from being slaughtered by the Egyptian pharaoh’s army. Also, He fed them with manna, and in the dry, barren desert, He sustained them with water out of the rock. But, they still grumbled and complained continually (Num. 14-17). They weren’t really thankful for the many blessings He had so lavishly bestowed upon them. Because of their unbelievable ingratitude, God finally gave them over to destruction. They all, except Joshua and Caleb, perished in the barren wilderness - without ever reaching the promised land, the land of milk and honey.

In Deut. 5, Moses repeats God’s 10 Commandments to the children of those who died in the wilderness. In Ch. 6, he tells them to fear God, keep His commandments and be diligent in teaching them to their children. God gave ancient Israel numerous warnings to not forget Him and His Laws, or become "fat, dumb, and happy" once they entered the Promised Land. Those warnings still apply in principle to the English speaking people of the world today, especially those of us in the United States of America.

In Deut. 6, Moses tells the people "to beware," that after God had blessed them with a bountiful land with plenty of water and rich soil to grow abundant crops and they have built beautiful cities, that: "when you have eaten and are full" (as on Thanksgiving Day), "then beware, lest you forget the Lord your God." (Deut. 6:11-12)

Never has a truer prophecy been made. It was true for ancient Israel and it is true for our Nation today. The people of this great country of America are proud and arrogant and believe it is by "the power and might of their hand that they have gained all this wealth." They do not acknowledge God, except for expedient lip service.

Moses repeats it all over again just a couple of chapters later in Deut. 8. "Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today, lest--when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; who led you through that great and terrible wilderness, in which were fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty land where there was no water; who brought water for you out of the flinty rock; who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in the end-- then you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.' And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. Then it shall be, if you by any means forget the LORD your God, and follow other gods, and serve them and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish.” (Deut. 8:11-19)

If Mr. Lincoln thought the people of the United States had forgotten God in 1863, what would he think of our degenerate nation today? Review the blessing and cursing chapter of Deut 28. It is prophetic for our people today! I think if you read through those passages, you would realize just how accurately it depicts our spoiled Western societies.

Are we really thankful to God everyday - for the many blessings we have received? We can’t take our blessings for granted - not even the simple ones! I’ll give you an example: Do we always give our Creator thanks for the food on our table, before we partake of it? How many of those who say “grace” are really thankful? How many of us merely repeat certain words, parrot fashion, while giving thanks over a meal? God’s Word reveals that we should always pray from the heart.

Yes, how many (or how few of us!) are really grateful for the priceless gift of their very existence? Also, how many of us give God thanks for the precious gift of eyesight, (some among us are already blind, or are slowly losing their eyesight!). How about our hearing, our senses of taste, smell and feeling? How many of us are truly thankful for our ability to speak, and for the ability to use our various members like our feet and legs for walking? (There are also brethren who are missing limbs - like a leg or two.)

We should not take these many blessings for granted. Some have been struck down by a serious stroke or by some other dreaded affliction and have been made almost totally helpless. Often after such a calamity, they really learn to appreciate the great blessings of sight, hearing, speech and muscle coordination.

In one moment - in a flash - your life could be snuffed out in an accident, or your loved ones could be taken from you. A financial crash or a terrible calamity, such as a nuclear war, or perhaps more realistically today, a terrible terrorist attack, could instantly turn a normal, pleasant existence into a nightmare.

In the twinkling of an eye your heart could stop and all that you think is yours could be taken from you and given to someone else. What did the Apostle Paul tell Timothy? “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these, we shall be content.” Material things of themselves do not bring us happiness. “But godliness with contentment is great gain” (verse 6). Christ warned, “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” (Luke 12:15)

Do you really treasure your health? (That’s assuming that you still have it.) Many of God’s people today no longer have the blessing of good health. My wife is one of them. She has several life-threatening illnesses, as some of you do as well. Do we truly show our love for one another and other brethren as well, by praying for one another - regardless of our “affiliation?”

We are living in a degenerate age. We eat processed foods that have had most all the nutrients removed. Our society eats huge amounts of fat soaked, sugar laced foods at “fast food” restaurants, and then has the audacity to sue these restaurant chains because they are fat and sick! It’s truly incredible.

It’s true, few of us have perfect health. Almost everyone has some infirmities. But, do you at least thank God for the measure of health He has mercifully granted you? We all need to realize that God is the One who holds in His hand the power of health, of life, of peace, in short, of everything good.

We are all tempted to complain of our lot in life, but we really shouldn’t give in to that temptation. There is an old saying, “never judge another man, until you have walked a mile or two in his shoes!” Perhaps we should be thankful that we still have the ability to walk that mile or two. As I said earlier, there are those among us in God’s Church, who have no legs with which to do that! We need to learn to count our blessings and to thank our Creator for everything yes, even for trials and tests, which many times can turn out to be blessings in disguise.

God often permits trials and calamities to befall us to teach us certain lessons - to help us learn some of the true values of life. Look at this example of the Apostle Paul: “And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Cor. 12:7-10)

James knew that God often allows trials to befall His people in order to “perfect” us, or refine and mature us. “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:2-4)

Here is a great Biblical example of ingratitude and it was directed toward “God in the flesh”, Jesus Christ. In Luke 17, Jesus heals 10 lepers. Only one of them was grateful and acknowledged God. “Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. And they lifted up their voices and said, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’ 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. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. So Jesus answered and said, ‘Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner? (this Samaritan)’ And He said to him, ‘Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.’” (Luke 17:12-19) Maybe we could also add, “your gratitude.” I dare say that nothing has changed in 2000 years. There is still probably not one in ten that are thankful to God and give Him heart-felt thanks for all they have, all they are and all they can be.

One of the worst possible sins you can commit is the terrible sin of ingratitude. Too many of us have a habit of continually complaining about everything, instead of being thankful. We need to realize that it is from God that all good blessings flow. After all, one of God’s names is “El Shaddai,” meaning “the almighty blesser.” James wrote over in James 1:17, that “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of Lights.” God wants to hear our praise and see our gratitude. He says over in Psm. 50:23, that “Whoever offers praise glorifies Me,” but God hates ingratitude.

Is it difficult for us when we pray to offer God profuse praise and thanksgiving? The Apostle Paul instructs us to “Speak to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Eph. 5:19-20) Just a few pages in my Bible, in Philip. 4:6, Paul says “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be make known to God.”

What should we be thankful for? For the gift of life, for food, clothing, shelter, modern transportation and communication, for the blessings of living in this beautiful, free land. Read the words of “America the Beautiful.” (It’s #125 in the old WCG hymnal.) It ought to bring tears to your eyes, or do we just take it all for granted - are we ungrateful?

How grateful are we to God for just being here in God's Church? Do we count our blessings and appreciate what God has done in our lives? Or, do we feel that it is "by our power and might" (or we could say: our intelligence, or insight, or knowledge, or righteousness, etc.) that we came out of this evil world - Satan’s world? Or, do we credit God's mighty hand and infinite mercy for that? Do our minds dwell on all the things that we, as true Christians have to be positive about, or do we have trouble thinking of things to be thankful for?

Paul told the Philippians: "Finally, brethren, what ever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, what ever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things." Did you notice that there isn't a single unhappy thought in these instructions? There are no complaints, no gripes, no negative attitudes.

Notice Psalm 100. "Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful singing." (Which is why we have a song service.) v.3: "know that the Lord Himself is God. It is He who has made us; and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name, for the Lord is good; His loving - kindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations." (Psm. 100:1-5

Do we share David's sentiments? Are we grateful to God for everything? What are our thoughts most of the time - when we are at work, or at home alone? Ideally, the thoughts of Psalm 100 should be on the lips and heart of the truly converted person all the time - whatever the circumstances! You might say "that's unrealistic or impossible," and you are right - with man's efforts alone it is impossible, but with God all things are possible - even saving wretches like ourselves!

Another example is Psm. 103. “Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.” (Psm. 103:1-5) David was full of praise for God. In fact, there is so much praise in the Psalms that it would be impossible to even print it all for you in this one magazine!

I can't help but think about the account in Acts 16, of the time Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown in prison - locked in stocks - unable to move about. What were they doing? “Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.” (Acts 16:22-23) Praying and singing praises to God! I wonder how many of us would retain that kind of attitude in similar circumstances.

What would we come up with if we were asked to "count our blessings"? What would top your list? Your wife, your husband, your children, your job? Or, would you think of God's love for you as your greatest blessing? Would you have your calling there at the top of the list? I'm sad to say that there are probably a few of us that are still a little too unthankful and don't fully appreciate the calling God has given us. We aren't grateful enough to God that for whatever His reason was, He chose to call us - of all the billions of people who have ever lived - to wake up from our spiritual sleep and be a part of His “called out ones” - His Church! I seriously wonder sometimes just how much credit we can take. Is it 90% our ability and effort, 50%, 10%, or is it as God says, by His power and grace? It is by God's grace and power in our lives that we are here in the Church of God, not by the "power or might of our hand".

God has placed us on the road to salvation in His Kingdom, but He didn’t say it would be easy! Our Savior, Jesus Christ, said, "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it, because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matt. 7:13-14) We may have trials and sorrow in this life, but God has promised us life everlasting with never ending joy in His Kingdom.

The Apostle Paul had much to say about Christian trials. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of your souls.” (1 Pet. 1:12-13)

And, just a couple of chapters over in 1 Pet. 4, “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.” (1 Pet.4:12-13) After telling us to resist the devil in ch.5, Peter says, “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, (mature you), establish, strengthen, and settle you.” (1Pet.5:10)

Here is what the Apostle Paul had to say about his life, “Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature (or perfect), have this mind....” (Philip. 3:8-15)

Can we honestly say that Jesus, or Peter, or Paul, had an easy life on this earth? Easier than ours? You know better. Paul told the Hebrews when comparing our trials to Christ's, to “...consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: ‘My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the LORD loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives. If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?’” (Heb. 12:3-7) “Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” (vs.11) “ But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect.” (vs.22-23) “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” (vs.28)

As I said, Jesus was a man of sorrow and joy and He wants to share that joy with us. But, there is the other part of that statement that some seem to forget; He also told us that we would share in persecutions and trials for following Him - things that are necessary to build Christian character - things that are part of our calling and our joy.

We’ve already read parts of the first chapter of 1 Peter where it talked about the trying of our faith, but James has something to say on this subject too, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete (or spiritually mature), lacking nothing.” (James 1:2-4)

We are to "count it all joy" and to praise and glorify God even in our trials, just as Paul and Silas did in prison. All of us in God's Church, whatever our conditions, circumstances, or problems - all of us have more reasons to be thankful to God than any other human beings on earth! We have to "count it all joy" not only when things go right, but also when things go wrong. Anyone can be happy and joyful when life is full of smiles. Only a true Christian, full of the Spirit of God and love of God can express gratitude when undergoing trials. We can't possibly rejoice if all we do is complain and count our miseries. We must give God thanks in all circumstances.

Paul sums things up nicely in 1 Thessalonians, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thess. 5:16-18) If we have this attitude, then no matter what happens to us, whether we are sick or in good health, poor or rich - we can always get down on our knees and praise God, saying: "Thank you God for your blessings, thank you for your calling, thank you for your love and mercy and your patience with me."