The Phil Files

“Thank you God even though it is small!”

Everyone laughed after the “Amen!” of this little guy’s prayer for breakfast. His prayer was precious, and literally true.

However, for many of our Heartlight.org readers world-wide, that prayer wouldn’t be off the mark for what is happening in their lives. A lot of folks have lost a lot of retirement money lately. This is especially frightening for those who have had to tighten their belts because they are living on fixed incomes, or worse, declining 401k incomes. Others have lost jobs. Many of our international readers have never had much to begin with. Some folks, like some people in our church, have had thieves break in and steal a bunch of their things. Others, like a precious family close to us, have lost a precious loved one to death.

So in our hearts, this Thanksgivings we can feel like the things to be thankful for are “small” — at least at first glance. But, we are so richly blessed in ways that can’t be touched — in the one place, as Jesus said, “where moth and rust can’t corrupt and thieves can’t break in and steal.”

Let’s remind each other that in the middle of food, family, football, and shopping, we can surely stop and say, “Thank you!” for these incorruptible riches than can’t be taken from us! We have blessings that can’t perish, spoil, or fade. These blessings are kept and shielded by God’s power from anything that would compromise them because they are hidden with Christ in God. No wonder we talk about Jesus as our indescribable gift!

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. … Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls (1 Peter 1:3-9 TNIV).

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory (Colossians 3:1-4).

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15)

Happy Thanksgiving to you!

Thank you, God!