Give thanks and remember

Do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. – Hebrews 13:16

One of today’s most popular syndicated newspaper columns is "Dear Abby." Started in 1956 by Abigail Van Buren, the advice column is written today by her daughter Jeanne Phillips. In a recent edition, she included this Thanksgiving Prayer written many years before by her mother:

O Heavenly Father: We thank Thee for food and remember the hungry.

We thank Thee for health

and remember the sick.

We thank Thee for friends

and remember the friendless.

We thank Thee for freedom

and remember the enslaved.

May these remembrances stir us to service

That Thy gifts to us may be used for others. Amen.

The words of this prayer echo the clear teaching of Scripture. Our thanksgiving to God should always be accompanied by thinking of those in need. "Therefore," said the writer to the Hebrews, "by [Jesus] let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name" (Hebrews 13:15).

But there is more to it than thankfulness. We are to put actions behind our gratitude. "Do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased" (v. 16).

Be thankful for God’s many blessings, but be sure to remember those who have less. – David McCasland

READ: Hebrews 13:1-16

Serving others is a way of thanking God.

The Bible in one year:

• Ezekiel 22-23

• 1 Peter 1