Something For Your Spirit

     Elder Thomas W. Burgess

Nov. 6, 2019

Thankful For The Cross

1 Thess 5:18...In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Have you noticed during your highway trips a huge cross appears where you might least expect it? It may be a single cross or a cross with the crown of thorns on the beam where Jesus hands were nailed. On interstate 40 East in Memphis, there are 3 crosses on Bellevue Baptist Church property that command your attention, standing tall for everyone to see whether you are traveling east or west.  

While driving, the crosses always appear when I am getting fatigued or when my mind is numb from listening to anything on the radio to keep me alert. But when I see the cross, there is a “WOW” coming from me because I did not expect to see it but was glad it was there. You may think it weird but seeing the cross energizes me and put’s a smile on my face.

Christians are thankful for the cross because if it were not for it, our future would be hopeless instead of hopeful. We would not have any fellowship with God because we would never be able to obey His Law and we would certainly be lost.

According to the news headlines or over hearing conversations, our country is in a crisis. People have lost compassion toward one another, anger is the tone of the day and some are actually saying what do we have to be thankful for? In spite of the negativity that surrounds us, the answer is we have much to be thankful for and it is because of the cross.

The passage of scripture says "in every thing give thanks" for this (thankfulness) is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Even though some have strayed away from principles of love, kindness and compassion toward one another, the cross is where they can go for restoration.

Those who are saved are thankful for the cross because its power to convict us is stronger than any law man could impose. The cross is the place where the broken can go to be put back together. The cross means access to God that was never possible before Jesus died on the cross. The Gospel of Mark 15:37- KJV ...And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.  38... And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.  39... And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God. 

During our Sunday service our Pastor Superintendent Gregory M. Askew Sr. asked us to post one thing that we are Thankful for everyday on social media leading up to Thanksgiving. The congregation has responded and many participants of social media have realized when you weigh what they are thankful for against their feelling there is nothing to be thankful for…their view changed.

In this season of Thanksgiving, as a nation we will take time out of the last Thursday in November to spend time with our family and friends as we enjoy a great dinner with those we love. Think about the cross as you consider the things to be thankful for. You just may find a cross in your view as you hit the road going home.

Latest comments

15.05 | 02:29

Thank you for sharing.

06.03 | 16:51

Thank you for sharing, it is so very true that his abiding love produces great faith, which has produced peace in my life over and over again, allows me to live through my midnight to wake up to JOY!

02.03 | 01:20

Amen and AMEN! HE’s sweet. I KNOW...❤️🙏🏽

21.06 | 05:36

Thanks for keeping me in mind.

Share this page