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Nov 19
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The Thanksgiving Commandment posted by John Sorensen on Nov 19, 2018

I remember the first time I heard the song “Thank you for giving to the Lord.” Ann and I were at a missionary conference at the church where we came to know Jesus Christ. They played a video of people accepting Christ while the song played.  I think I wept for a half an hour! The idea of meeting people in Heaven who we had the chance to be part of leading to Christ while on earth was, to me, simply overwhelming … and life focusing!

I was reminded of this idea again at the funeral of a friend of the ministry.  I was picturing her entering Heaven to the greetings of so many that had come to Christ through her faithful giving.  And even more importantly, of meeting Jesus, Whom she gladly served.  I’m confident that she has heard the words, “Thank you!” quite a few times.

The Apostle Paul demonstrated for us the same when he said, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, For your fellowship in the Gospel from the first day until now” (Philippians 1:3-5).  These are some of my favorite verses.

Moreover, we read of Jesus’ concern for thanksgiving when He healed the 10 lepers in Luke 17.  After healing them, only one returned to say thank you.  This obviously bothered Jesus as He 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?” (Luke 17:17-18)

Note that Jesus said that our thanksgiving brings glory to God.

Bottom line:  we should be thankful.  It’s good to be thankful.  We’re commanded to be thankful!  So then, my friend, what are you thankful for?

For us, as Christians, certainly we are thankful for whomever shared the Gospel with us (and for those who gave to allow that to happen).  For those of us in EE, we’re thankful also for those who have trained us to be witnesses for Jesus! Ultimately, we’re thankful to Jesus for allowing us to participate in His building of His Church and the proclamation of His Name!

As we celebrate Thanksgiving, I want you to know that I’m thankful for you.  Your prayers and your giving to this great cause have touched, and are touching, so many lives worldwide for eternity.  Thank you for giving to the Lord!

This is our focus this week at Evangelism Explosion through our social media channels and our daily broadcast. Visit sharelife.today for tips and tools to help you be eternally minded and grateful!  We have an amazing opportunity to double your giving right now through our $250,000 matching challenge!  Every dollar given, up to $250,000, is doubled to help in this worldwide outreach for Jesus Christ.  If you feel called to be part of that, visit sharelife.today.

May God richly bless you this week as you serve Him.

This is a transcript from Conversations with John Sorensen #16: Thanksgiving



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