Give Thanks 4 Everything!

There is a true story of GIs stationed in the Philippines during WW II. Although the region was secure, sometimes the enemy tried to infiltrate their food storage area. One such adversary, dressed in GI clothing, had worked himself into the noontime chow line. But the camp cook spotted him, pulled a pistol from under the serving table and yelled for the MPs to come and arrest the man.After it was all over, the soldiers asked the cook how he knew the man wasn’t one of them."I figured it wasn’t one of you guys, ’cause he was coming back for seconds."

(Reader’s Digest 5/93, p.46)

What gave the enemy away? He was grateful for all the food he could get.He was thankful for the food no one else wanted. Being thankful was what set him apart.

In Ephesians 5, God tells us He wants us to stand out. He wants us to be known for something. He wants us to be known for being thankful.

Ephesians 5:20 says we should be “always GIVING THANKS to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Colossians 3:17 tells us “whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, GIVING THANKS to God the Father through him.”

And 1 Thessalonians 5:18 evens says we should “GIVE THANKS in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”