"WHEN THANKS IS NOT ENOUGH"

Beloved,

                                         

    I read about a missionary, home on furlough, who was invited to speak at a church about three hours drive from his home.  So he left in time to make sure he would not be late.  He stayed for the evening service also,  and as he was leaving the church treasurer slipped an envelope in his hand and said: "I hope you will come again."

    When the Missionary got home, and was preparing for bed, he opened the envelope, and across the line where the amount was supposed to be was this note:  "Thanks a million." He read it again and again - "Thanks a million."  The only thing he had for the six hour drive and two sermons was "Thanks a million."

     Pardon me, please; "Sometimes thanks are not enough."  You may, or may not want to read Luke 18: 9-14; it is a parable Jesus spoke, I believe with urgency, with a warning about thanks.  You remember the two men who went to the temple to pray; one a respected, real pillar in the community.  The other was a publican, a despised tax collector.

    After the self-righteous Pharisee got through telling what, quote:  "I am different from all others.  Lord, you know me, I fast twice a week - I give my tithes - I am not unjust - I am not an adulterer."  But Jesus said the words were not enough; the whole thing was some kind of insincere imitation that was worth nothing.

     Jesus said in the sermon on the Mt.:  "Except your righteousness exceed the scribe and the Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of God."  The problem with the Pharisees was they were seeing through a glass darkly,  they knew everything.  Jesus said, "I am not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance."

     In this Thanksgiving Season,   take time to thank God that you have been allowed to see the hope to which He has called you,  the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His great power for us who believe.  Now, move out of "Your Comfort Zone" - express love in action. 

     I would be interested to know how you moved out of "Your Comfort Zone,"  how you expressed love in action.  Drop me a note; I would like to share a few of the testimonies this thanksgiving season and Christmas.

    God bless,  have a great holiday season,

 

Bro. Roy