Let's face it the church needs to be held to a higher standard. Period. While we as the body of Christ have been and are able to accomplish much by the power of the Holy Spirit in these days, there is so much more that needs to be accomplished. When the average person is asked to describe the church or even their church the words often used are frustrating, boring, irrelevant, and the list could go on and on.
But, if we're really called to be the light of the world shouldn't we expect more, live greater, risk more, and pray prayers that are larger in scope. Part of the issue is that Christians at all stages in maturity get called to live lives more closely aligned with Jesus all the time but many of them often don't know where to begin. The good news is there isn't one starting point but many for a person to choose from. My hope as this year is about 2/3 over is that the church would develop a serious attitude of thankfulness as we lead up to Thanksgiving.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Paul urges the church of Thessalonica to give thanks in all circumstances. Good or bad, times of wealth or times of want, and no matter what we as the church are called to give thanks. As a follower of Jesus Christ learn how to be thankful and grateful for your life, your circumstances, your family, and your possessions. Start with one a thing or area of your life a day and verbalize what your thankful for. Post it on Facebook. Text a friend. Bring it up at a coffee shop. But, let people know that you are thankful for many areas of your life. A thankful church is an effective church. A grumbling church is a dieing one. Let's strive to be effective in these days.
