A few weeks ago I met an elderly gentleman who had lost his left arm when he was a young man. Because of this he had lived his entire life not being able to do everything that others could do. His life had literally been handicapped. When I asked him how he lost his arm, he stood straight and tall and said, “I gave my arm for my country while I was in Korea.”
Even though we were standing in a shopping center as he told me this story, I could hardly keep my eyes from watering. The reality is this man sacrificed his life for me and my family. The thankfulness for him and what he had done, and the respect and honor I felt for him was overwhelming.
Honor and respect are two qualities that have been devalued in our culture. Honor for authority and respect for property seems to be at an all time low. Much of the reason is due to a lack of thankfulness.
As a Christian nation, we should be thankful for the countless men and women who have given their lives for our freedom and for those who are placing their lives on the line each day for our freedom. As Christians we should also be thankful for those who have sacrificed through the centuries to keep the Gospel message alive.
Without thankfulness, there can be no honor and respect. Without honor and respect, there is chaos and confusion and confusion breeds lawlessness. In order for our nation to be at peace, our families must be secure. But our families will never be complete until the spirit of thankfulness is in our hearts. Even in times of great need, we should be thankful.
In Philippians 4:6 the Bible tells us that when we pray, we should not be anxious or fearful, but as we make our requests known to God, we should do so with an attitude of thanksgiving. A lack of thankfulness will affect your prayers. Thankfulness is not an emotion, but it is a decision of the heart.
Over the years I have noticed that people who have an attitude of thankfulness are usually pleasant people with positive attitudes. Their friendships are solid and based on love and caring. They are generally happy people.
On the other hand, people who are not thankful, usually gripe and complain about everything. People who are unthankful do not respect authority and have problems submitting to authority. An unthankful person never sees themselves at fault but sees everything that is wrong in others.
Now don’t take me wrong, I’m not implying that a person should be thankful for all things. Of course, you are not thankful for sickness, or poverty, or the attacks that come in life. But as a Christian, we can be thankful in spite of these things. Our lives should not be ruled by what we see around us, but instead should be ruled by the promises of God.
Even though it may look like the enemy is strong, we stand thankful for the promise of victory from God. When David looked at Goliath, everyone said, “Goliath is too big to hit.” David said, “He’s too big to miss.” See your problems through the eyes of victory and not through the eyes of defeat. As Christians we have the victory.
The Bible says in 1 John 5:4, “This is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” What is faith? Faith is believing that God will do what He said He would do and believing it so strongly that your words and actions are based on His promises instead of being based on what you see. If it looks like defeat is coming in an area where God has promised victory, you must believe His Word regardless of what you see.
If you are a Christian, you can be thankful in this. The God who spoke the universe into existence said that “No weapon formed against you will prosper.” When the enemy says you can’t make it, God’s Word says, “You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.” When the enemy says, “I will overpower you,” God’s Word says, “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.” When the enemy says there is no way out, you say, “God’s Word says I get what I say, and I say, “Victory is mine!'”
The world is full of negative words, doubt, fear, defeat, and unthankfulness. Do not allow yourself to be caught up in this. As a Christian, even though you are in the world, you are not a part of it. You live in a higher Kingdom, above the negative kingdom of fear.
We have just completed one of the most intense presidential elections in the history of our country. You must respect the office and honor the position with an attitude of thankfulness regardless of whether your candidate won or lost. Although you are not responsible for who won the election, you will be held accountable for how you voted.
The Bible tells us that God has placed before us life and death. With life comes blessing and thankfulness. Remember, thankfulness is not an emotion, but it is a decision of the heart. Choose wisely.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Dr. Larry Ollison is founder and Senior Pastor of Walk on the Water Faith Church and founder of Larry Ollison Ministries. With over forty years in the ministry, he is a very popular speaker nationally and internationally and ministers the Word of Faith through radio, television, Internet, and daily e-mail devotionals. As the author of eight books (including The Power of Grace, The Practical Handbook for Christian Living, Breaking the Cycle of Offense, Life is in the Blood, and recently released The Paradise of God), he is in frequent demand for radio/TV interviews, book signings, and magazine publications.
Dr. Ollison was raised a Southern Baptist. While majoring in theology at Southwest Baptist University, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For many years he traveled extensively speaking at Full Gospel Business Men's meetings and conventions. He later earned an M.A. in Theology and a Ph.D. and Th.D. from Life Christian University.
Currently President of International Convention of Faith Ministries (ICFM), Dr. Ollison is also Vice-President of Spirit FM Christian Radio Network, Missouri State Director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), and a Trustee on the boards of several international ministries. He is also the host of The Cutting Edge Radio Broadcast and authors The Cutting Edge Daily Devotional.
As the owner of a marine dealership, his extensive business background brings a unique flavor to his teaching. He founded and served as chairman of the Missouri State Marine Board, President of the Marine Dealers’ Association, Vice-President of a bank holding company, along with holding several directorships in various corporations.
Dr. Ollison's strongest areas of teaching are the blood of Jesus, faith, relationships, the Hebrew language, the Holy Spirit, the end times, and heaven. During ministry, he operates freely in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. His use of humor and his ability to make a theological concept simple makes it enjoyable and easy for everyone to understand. Countless testimonies have been received from people who say their lives have been changed after experiencing Dr. Ollison's unique ministry.
Dr. Ollison is a pastor, pilot, teacher, and author. His number one goal is to meet the needs of the people through the teaching of faith in God's Word. He and his wife, Loretta, have two children and six grandchildren.