Brothers and sisters,

Our Supercluster in Truro is coming soon! (October 19). Pastors, I encourage you to plan to be there and gather with other pastors as we praise God and edify one another. We will have some time to share and some teaching. In preparation, please read pages 53-66 in our Stronger Together books in preparation.

THANKSGIVING: We read in God’s word that thanksgiving is a particularly Christian virtue. Paul writes to the brothers and sisters in Colossae that they should let the Word of Christ dwell in them and that as they are … "teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom,” they should be “singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Col. 3:16).

I fear that thanksgiving is not as often on our lips as it should be! Thanks to God for what He has done and thanks to others for how they have blessed us should be a regular part of men and women who hope in God. The very next verse in Colossians reads: 

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

One particular way that many of us should focus our thanksgiving to God is for our churches. Yes, they can bring challenges, but 1 Peter 5:1-4 reminds us of something incredible: they are God’s flock who He has graciously entrusted to us. Here is how I worded it as I studied it recently:

At this moment, by the kindness of the Great Shepherd, He has entrusted some of His flock into your care. There are challenges within and without, but you are not alone in this responsibility. You will give account of how you performed your duties as a shepherd, but you are continually loaded with abundant grace to care for this particular flock.  In the end, God alone fully knows how you have done, what you have sacrificed, and what reward you should receive. Until your assignment is completed, strive according to the strength God supplies and rest in His love and faithfulness.  

May that help all of us with Bible-encouraged gratefulness!

Andrew