As president of the Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, it has been a joy and privilege traveling around this great state to visit many of our churches and schools and participate in countless events. It is a blessing to see employees and members alike dedicated to the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s mission of discipleship to “live as His loving witnesses and proclaim to all people the everlasting gospel of the Three Angels’ Messages in preparation for His soon return (Matt 28:18-20, Acts 1:8, Rev 14:6-12).”* Together As One, let us embrace our conference motto as described in John 17:21 and be united in Christ working together for His benefit.
During this time of thankfulness, I am thankful and grateful for each one of you and want to encourage you to take time to appreciate family, friends, neighbors and co-workers. It is important we do not assume they know how we feel. We need to verbally communicate our appreciation and love on a regular basis. As a mental health nurse practitioner, my wife sees daily the sadness one experiences when one feels no one appreciates them or feels taken for granted.
Author Ellen G. White declares in The Ministry of Health and Healing, “Nothing tends more to promote health of body and of soul than does a spirit of gratitude and praise” (p. 138.2).
If you have not started a thankful and grateful list, may I encourage you to begin one today? Write down (or add to your device’s notepad) one to three things you are thankful and grateful for each day.
Can I make one more request? Reach out to 10 people (it can be more or less) who have made a difference in your life and let them know it.
Recently, I lost a good friend and mentor. It was a reminder of how short life really is and how important it is to share appreciation along with God’s everlasting gospel with others.
Colossians 4:2 NIV reminds us to, “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Psalm 106:1 NIV says, “Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.” And a favorite Bible verse to many, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” Philippians 4:6 NIV.
However you celebrate this Thanksgiving season, may I implore you to give your worries to God, begin a gratitude list and reach out to those who made or are making a difference in your life?
Thank you again for all you do for the Lord’s work. I am thankful and grateful for each one of you who shares your strengths in pursuit of excellence to bring glory to God. “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” Matthew 24:14 NIV.
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By Elton DeMoraes, D.Min., president of the Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
* https://gc.adventist.org/official-statements/mission-statement-of-the-seventh-day-adventist-church/
