Thanksgiving Message

By David Bogosian

The Bible exhorts us to “Give thanks in every circumstance” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). This is probably our toughest assignment as Christians! The Apostle Paul who wrote these words certainly earned the right to speak them. Much of his admonitions to be joyful always were written from difficult places and even dark prison cells. For at least five years God had Paul detained, often in chains. It may have seemed like a major detour from his primary mission. But the words that poured forth from these places have inspired generations. This larger assignment turned out to be more impactful than anything else.

Though many of the churches Paul pioneered in his day are no longer there, the words he wrote to them continue to build the church around the world. These words have inspired billions of people in millions of churches over twenty centuries. They have been diligently copied by countless scribes and translated into thousands of languages. There is no country where they are not read. Someday soon these words will be heard in every place on earth.

I can only imagine what it must be like for the apostles to watch it all unfold. The faith for which they gave their lives is moving forth in power. In spite of some of the greatest persecutions we have ever witnessed, the gospel cannot be contained. Today, there are thousands of pastors being rounded up for their faith. India and China are pressing hard against the house-church movements in their lands. But it is all in vain. A militant and defiant Iran has failed to contain the Christ-ward movement spreading like wildfire in Tehran. The Hindu nation of Nepal tried and failed to stop the revival sweeping their land by the millions. If these regimes only knew what they were up against, and what their persecutions are producing. As it has been since the first century, gold really fears no fire. It only shines brighter in the midst of it. These are believers who have learned to give thanks in the midst of suffering, to be joyful in poverty, and to pray continually, even when it means blessing your enemies. These are Christians who cannot be defeated because Christ within them has already won.

When I think about thankfulness and hope, many things come to mind. But somewhere near the top of the list has to be this reality – we are witnessing the triumph of the Lamb and his followers. Scripture calls them the “called, chosen, and faithful” (Revelation 17:14). Revelation says they follow the Lamb “wherever he goes” (Revelation 14:4). Today he is leading his church into the final frontiers of the gospel. Three billion await to hear the message. Thousands of ethnic groups await their first church. It seems a daunting task. But relative to our numbers as born-again Christians, it is actually the smallest the unfinished task has ever been. There are at least a billion on this earth who claim Jesus as Lord and Savior. From a small beginning of just 12 missionary recruits, has come a movement that will not be stopped. It will go on from here into a multitude from every nation, tribe, people and language. We may be the generation alive to see it! And so, for this, regardless of whatever else may be happening in my world or elsewhere, I can be truly thankful – for the battle is the Lord’s and the victory is ours!

From all of us at Missio Nexus, we wish you a blessed and joyful Thanksgiving. May his presence and grace continually lift up our hearts to see the future as bright and hopeful as the eternal promises he gives us in Christ Jesus.