Thanks and giving

Good morning and Happy Thanksgiving,

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, Luke 24:30-31

The scene is just after Jesus’ death and resurrection. He walks along the road to Emmaus with two disciples who are distraught and discussing these events. Jesus, traveling incognito, comes alongside them and joins their conversation and gives them insight from scripture as to the purpose of His sacrifice. Still they do not recognize Him is their teacher and rabbi they have followed for the last few years. It is only when Jesus takes the bread and gives thanks over His meal they suddenly realize this is Jesus.

What was it about that prayer of thanks? Maybe it was the posture of humility and true thanksgiving that acknowledged God as the one true provider of everything good. It could have been the intimacy with which Jesus spoke to His Father. One thing is for certain, this was no obligatory, little token speech like prayer for just the people around the table. It was a prayer of faith and confidence in a loving God who is good and provides good things to all who will trust in Him.

Today, as we take time to pray, whether over a meal or just a personal conversation with God, let’s start with humbly acknowledging the incredible blessings of freedom, provision, family, a spiritual family at Life Church, and the anticipation of God’s continued mercy and grace and provision in the coming year.

We see Jesus praying over a meal on another occasion. A large crowd of thousands had gathered to hear Him teach and they did not have any food. Jesus takes a very small donation of one meal and offers a prayer of thanksgiving. After He prays God honors this gift and a prayer of thanks and multiplies it to bless thousands. In the same way God honors our small acts of love and giving, and when we do them with a posture of humility and a grateful heart, He can multiply it to bless multitudes.

I appreciate talking to so many of you who are inviting others to share your meal, or serving homeless neighbors, or delivering meals in the community today. To quote Mother Teresa, “it is these small acts of kindness, done with great love, that will change the world.”

Lori and I are thankful for everyone whom God has placed in the spiritual family of Life Church. Our prayer is filled with thanksgiving for you and anticipation of God’s blessing on your home in the coming year. We look forward to joining together for worship with you this Sunday.

With thankful hearts,

Tony & Lori Portell
Life Church