Thank God for Fleas

Corrie Ten Boom

One of my favorite stories in The Hiding Place features Corrie Ten Boom learning to be thankful is all things from her sister, Betsie. They were in a prison camp without much to be thankful but the Bible says, “ in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18, NKJ)

They were thankful for being together, for having a Bible and, even, for the crowded conditions that created an environment where more women would hear the nightly Bible studies. Many women gave their heart to Jesus as a result. When Betsie gave thanks for the fleas, Corrie objected, “Betsie, there’s no way even God can make me grateful for a flea.”

“‘Give thanks in all circumstances,” Betsie corrected. “It doesn’t say, ‘in pleasant circumstances.’ Fleas are part of this place where God has put us.”

Weeks would pass before Corrie would learn the reason why they were so free to witness, without interruption, in the barracks. The guards were avoiding the terrible flea infestation. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28, NIV)

It can be hard to see God's hand in difficult circumstances but we know that revivals have come in the midst of troubled times. The Reformation came when the church had strayed from Biblical teaching. A prayer revival exploded in New York City following the 1857 stock market crash. Good Friday led to Easter Sunday.

How will God use the bleak circumstances of our current situation? Paul used arrest and imprisonment as an opportunity to witness to jailers and judges. He wrote letters to encourage the churches while way.

God is still at work. Let's look for ways to join him.

Praying Before Meals

"Lord, bless this stick of gum that I am about to chew. May it give my breath an aroma pleasing unto you."

Could our prayers before meals become a little to mechanical?

Once, at a church function where snacks were to follow the service, the benediction included a blessing of the refreshments (two prayers for the price of one). In the fellowship hall the snacks were blessed again, possibly out of habit.

After the function, a small group went out for coffee and dessert. It was suggested that we pray over the coffee and bread. Someone even considered praying again when more food was brought out.

We pray before meals to show our gratitude for God's provision. Dinnertime can be a good time to pray together as a family. When the extended family gathers at a meal to celebrate a special event such as a holiday, birthday or graduation, prayer can be particularly meaningful.

However, we must guard against our prayers becoming empty and repetitious, said more out of habit than gratitude. Sometimes people pray before meals out of superstition. They are afraid that God will be offended and that something bad may happen to them. "I hope you don't choke on that," is a comment I've heard directed at a person who did not wait for grace to be said before filling his mouth.

Sometimes people pray before a meal to impress others around them with their spirituality. They take this opportunity to work the room and, maybe, correct an errant soul.

"It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord," declares Psalm 92:1. Let us remember to pray before meals as God leads us but let our prayer come from the heart. God is not so easily offended that he will punish us for not praying before a meal but he does want his children to be grateful. When we do pray before a meal we make God a part of our daily life and that, too, is good.

Giving Thanks is Good for You

Ephesians 5:19-20

A thankful attitude will make us happier, better witnesses of Christ’s love, and enhance our relationships. This is something to keep in mind on Thursday as we gather with our families. I hope that we will do more than overeat and watch football. Thanksgiving is a good holiday to turn us into grateful people. It is a good time to transform “stinkin' thinkin'” into an “attitude of gratitude.”

A thankful spirit will set you apart from the world; it makes us different. It will increase your personal happiness. Happiness is determined by our attitude not our circumstances. The apostle Paul wrote these words from prison: "Rejoice in the Lord always," he wrote, "and again I say it rejoice." (Philippians 4:4)

A thankful spirit will improve your witness for Christ. It is sad to see a negative, mean-spirited Christian; who see a glass as half empty, dirty and cracked.
 

When we are thankful, joyful, upbeat people, we attract the lost with our spirit of gratitude because the world is dark, depressing and ungrateful.

"Live such good lives among the pagans that they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." 1 Peter 2:12

Imagine how much better our relationships would be if we expressed our thanks for each other from time to time; instead of picking at each other's faults. The apostle Paul expressed thanks in his letters in the Bible.

• Rome: “First, I thank my God for all of you.” (Romans 1:8)
• Corinth: “I always thank God for you” (1 Corinthians 1:4)
• Ephesus: “I have not stopped giving thanks for you; remembering you in my prayers.” (Ephesians 1:16)
• Philippi: “I thank my God every time I remember you.” (Philippians 1:3)
• Colossi, “I always thank God when I pray for you.” (Colossians 1:3)

Paul let people know that he was thankful for them. Imagine how much better our churches and our relationships would be if we expressed our thanks for each other.

We can develop thanksgiving in our lives if we remember that everything we have is from God.: “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.” (Psalm 24:1)

We can develop thanksgiving in our lives if we avoid complaining. Complaining amplifies frustration, spreads discontent and discord. “I complained and my spirit was overwhelmed.” (Psalm 77:3)

Find something each day for which to be thankful. “Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything.” (Ephesians 5:19)

Thanksgiving Can Change Your Life

Message from Sunday,

November 22:

Thanksgiving Can Change Your Life (Ephesians 5:19-20)

A thankful attitude will make us happier, make us better witnesses of Christ’s love, and enhance our relationships with others.

Be Thankful

“Count your blessings, name them one by one,” advises the old hymn. This time of year we count blessings instead of calories. We gather with family and friends and fill ourselves from the cornucopia of our wealthy land. Some will attend worship services. Others worship at home, taking turns reciting things for which they are thankful.

The Thanksgiving holiday dates back to 1621 when the Pilgrims celebrated their first harvest with three days of prayer and feasting. Their first winter in Massachusetts was cruel and only half of the original colonists were still alive. These survivors gave thanks to God that they were alive and worshiping free from persecution as they celebrated the harvest and faced another winter.

In 1789, George Washington proclaimed a national day of Thanksgiving to celebrate a turning point in the American revolution. Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving Day a national holiday in 1863, as the Civil War was ravaging our country. An Army surgeon at Valley Forge said, “Mankind is never truly thankful for the benefits of life until they have experienced the want of them.”

We have celebrated Thanksgiving through good years and bad. During the Great Depression, FDR urged us to “ask guidance in more surely learning the ancient truth that greed and selfishness and striving for undue riches can never bring lasting happiness...”

The Psalm reminds us that, “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord,” (92:1). We should practice a thankful attitude daily. A heart that is grateful toward God is reflected in appreciation for what other people do for us. Expressions of gratitude towards others cost little but pays big in friendship, happiness and good will.

People want to be appreciated for what they do. A simple thank-you for a small deed is a common courtesy that seems to be lacking today. Showing appreciation to someone is like vitamins to a malnourished self-esteem. Most people prefer appreciation to material reward. They’ll go out of their way to please someone who does not take deeds for granted.

The opposite of thankfulness is self-pity. Instead of counting blessings we complain about slight misfortunes, petty difficulties, jealousies and envy. We poison our minds and sour the people around us. We forget to acknowledge God who gives us all good things (James 1:17).

It has been said that gratitude is a double edged sword. It blesses the one who gives as well as the one who receives. Build someone up today with an expression of gratitude instead of tearing them down with a complaint and watch them grow in appreciation of you. As Aesop said, “Gratitude is the sign of noble souls.”