Thanksgiving might not be here yet, but as United Methodists and followers of Christ, we are called to live with ongoing gratitude. Sometimes, we treat thanks as just a polite phrase or a quick thought before eating. But what if thanksgiving is more than that? What if it shapes how we live and how we meet God?
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            The Scriptures certainly suggest this is the case. Take, for example, the joyful invitation in Psalm 100. It's not a quiet contemplation; it's a vibrant, active call to worship: "Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth." This psalm beautifully outlines a path for entering God's presence, and notice where thanks fits in: action. Verse 4 says, "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him; bless his name."

            Thanksgiving is not just something we do after we feel God's presence; it is the way in. It is the active attitude we take to begin praising. Why is this important? When we recognize and appreciate what God has done, our focus changes. As verse 3 says, "Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture." Simply being God's people is a reason for deep gratitude. This is what it means for gratitude to be more than words—it is knowing who we truly are.

            The power of this active thanks is echoed by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Philippians. He gives us a practical, life-changing instruction in Philippians 4:6-7: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

            Here, thanksgiving is more than worship; it is a key to finding peace. When we feel anxious, Paul encourages us to pray with thanksgiving. This changes everything. When we are stressed, our prayers can become lists of worries or desperate requests. But if we include thanks in our prayers, even for small blessings or simply for God's faithfulness, it changes how we pray and how we feel. Starting with thanks reminds us that God is with us, even in hard times, and that God has always been faithful. When we do this, Paul says we will experience God's peace, which is beyond our understanding.

            Friends, this is good news for all of us. Thanksgiving is what brings us closer to God and helps us move from anxiety to peace. It is more than just words; it is the attitude of a grateful heart that turns worry into worship and fear into faith. Let’s begin each day with this mindset.
 

The word "grace" is one we use often in the church. We know we're saved by grace through faith, a gift from God. But what happens after we receive this incredible, undeserved gift? How does this deep well of God's generous grace shape the way we live in the world? This week, I invite you to consider a familiar passage from the Gospel of Matthew that offers a profound picture of how grace, when fully embraced, compels us toward a life of radical generosity and outward focus. In Matthew 9:35-38, we read, “Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
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In these verses, Jesus gives us a clear example of Generous Grace in Action. First, we see the Grace of Movement and Presence (v. 35). Jesus did not wait for people to come to him. He went to them, traveling through all the cities and villages. His ministry was active and present where real life and real suffering happened. Living with generous grace starts with movement. It means leaving our comfort zones and stepping into the real, sometimes messy, lives of our neighbors. Our presence is a gift, reflecting God's constant and generous presence with us.

Second, we see the Grace of Compassionate Sight (v. 36). Jesus saw the crowds and understood their condition, describing them as "harassed and helpless." This moved him deeply and filled him with compassion. The Greek word used here, splagchnizomai, means to be moved in the deepest part of oneself. Living with generous grace means asking God to help us see others as Jesus did. It means looking beyond indifference and judgment to notice the single parent who is struggling, the student who feels lost, the neighbor who is lonely, or the colleague who is quietly grieving. We see them not as problems or statistics, but as people loved by God. Compassion is what drives generous action.

Third, Jesus shows us the Grace of Recognizing Opportunity (v. 37). He saw the great need around him, but he did not stop at feeling sorry for others. He saw the need as an opportunity, calling it a harvest. This is an important shift in how we see things. Instead of letting the brokenness of the world make us feel hopeless, we can see it as a chance to take meaningful action. The harvest is not just about conversions. It is about all the ways we can show God’s love, offer healing, teach justice, and restore dignity. The harvest is plentiful because the need for grace, hope, community, and reconciliation is everywhere. Our generosity comes not from duty, but from seeing God’s work happening all around us.

Finally, we see the Grace of Intercession and Action (v. 38). This is a call to action that asks us to be humble. First, we are called to pray to the Lord of the harvest, recognizing that the work belongs to God and we are only participants. This helps us stay grounded and rely on God’s strength, not just our own. Second, when we pray for more workers, we often find that God’s answer is us. By praying for laborers, we are also offering ourselves to help. Living with generous grace is not just about giving money, though that matters. It is about giving our time, our talents, and our presence. We become one of the workers in the harvest, generous with our patience, forgiveness, and energy. The grace we share is a reflection of the endless grace we have received. Let us be people who show the generous grace of Jesus this week. Let us move, see with compassion, notice opportunities for love, and offer ourselves as workers in God’s great harvest.

We’ve all faced moments when our needs seem overwhelming and our resources feel small. It might be a financial crisis, a relationship that seems impossible to fix, or a deep emptiness that nothing can fill. In those times, doubt can make us feel like we don’t have enough strength, wisdom, or grace. Today, I encourage you to look beyond your limits and see the limitless reality of God. The Apostle Paul, writing to the church in Ephesus, shares a prayer that challenges our limited ideas of what’s possible. He reminds us that in Christ, we don’t just have enough—we have more than enough.
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Paul begins his powerful intercession by bowing before the Father, establishing the reverence and seriousness of his request. He is asking for something truly foundational for our Christian lives. He prays: “I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love” (Ephesians 3:16-17).

Think about this: Paul doesn’t pray for a new job, a quieter home, or an easier life. He asks for something much more valuable: inner strength. This strength isn’t just a burst of energy; it’s the steady, lasting power of the Holy Spirit. It’s like the deep roots that keep a tree alive during a drought. When we feel empty, we often look for quick solutions outside ourselves. Paul points us inward, to where Christ wants to live in us, making us rooted and grounded in love. The riches of God’s glory aren’t about money or status; they are found in God’s endless power and presence within you. This is the first promise of having more than enough: enough strength to face any challenge, inside or out.

Next, Paul’s prayer takes a cosmic turn, inviting us to grasp the incomprehensible: “I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:18-19).

Paul uses four dimensions—breadth, length, height, and depth—to show that Christ’s love is beyond any measurement. He’s saying that Christ’s love is as vast as the universe. Even more, this love goes beyond what we can understand. It’s not just something to study; it’s something to experience. The goal is that we are filled with all the fullness of God. This isn’t just about being a little more spiritual; it’s about being completely filled with God’s presence and love. This is the second promise of having more than enough: enough love to heal every hurt and fill every empty place.

Finally, Paul brings his prayer to an ecstatic climax, delivering the verse that defines the theme of "More Than Enough": “Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21).

Read that phrase slowly: “abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine.”

No matter how big our prayers, hopes, or dreams are, God can do even more. His power isn’t far away; it is at work within us. The same Spirit that gives us strength is the source of God’s limitless power in the world. When we pray for answers, God may be planning something even greater. When we ask for healing, he might be preparing a new purpose for us. When we hope for a small change, he can make a huge difference. God’s ability doesn’t just meet our needs; it goes beyond what we can imagine. This is the final and greatest promise of having more than enough: enough power to go beyond your biggest prayers and deepest dreams.

What does this mean for you today? When you face debt, a broken relationship, or a struggle with sin, don’t see it only through your own limits. See it through the power of God, who can do far more than you can imagine. Paul’s final words remind us that this life of more than enough is for God’s glory, not just our comfort. When we stop settling for less and start living in the abundance Christ gives, others see proof of God’s limitless power. Don’t just ask for enough to get by. Ask God to do more than you can imagine, trusting the power already working in you.

Few things in nature show life and purpose as clearly as a well-tended garden or vineyard. In spring, new growth hints at a coming harvest. If you’ve watched a gardener at work, you might notice something that seems odd at first: pruning. The gardener uses sharp shears to cut away what looks like healthy growth, such as branches, leaves, and even promising buds. This can seem harsh or even destructive. But the gardener understands that this careful cutting is what leads to greater health, strength, and abundance. Jesus uses this powerful and sometimes difficult image in John 15:1-8 to help us understand the Christian life. He says, “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.”

Jesus is the Vine, giving us life and nourishment. The Father is the Gardener who guides our growth. We are the branches. The Gardener does two loving things: removes what is fruitless and prunes what is fruitful. Removing deadwood is necessary because it drains energy without helping the harvest. Pruning fruitful branches is more challenging for us. This 'cutting back' can feel like loss, discomfort, or discipline. It might mean letting go of distractions, such as activities, commitments, or relationships that are good but take us away from our most important calling. It could also mean leaving behind old habits that no longer serve God’s purpose for us, or giving up unrealistic expectations that are not rooted in the life of the Vine.

When the Gardener’s shears come out, it often hurts. We feel the sting of the cut, the raw exposure of the wound. We might question why God is allowing a specific difficulty, stripping away a comfortable routine, or closing a door we thought was meant to be open. This is where the wisdom of Hebrews 12:5-8 offers powerful pastoral comfort and context. The passage asks, “And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, ‘My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.’” The author of Hebrews equates the Lord’s discipline with the Father’s love. The pain of pruning is not an act of divine indifference or spite; it is an act of deep, parental affection. A father who truly loves his children guides them, corrects them, and prepares them for a successful future. God, our perfect Father, does the same.
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The temporary pain of God’s pruning proves our position as His legitimate, beloved children. He is investing in us. He is preparing us for a greater yield. The author of Hebrews continues, "As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all.” This discipline is the very hallmark of sonship, the guarantee that we are truly part of His family. It is a sign that He sees immense potential in us and is determined to help us realize it.

The purpose of this difficult process is abundance. Jesus finishes the metaphor by saying, “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” Pruning helps direct the Vine's energy, or sap, into fewer, stronger branches. This focus leads to a harvest that is not only larger, but also healthier and more meaningful to the Gardener. Energy that once went to weak or unnecessary growth is now used to produce lasting fruit. Pruning helps us focus on what truly matters in God’s kingdom.

So how should we respond when pruning feels painful? The answer is to remain in Jesus. Pruning is not a sign of being left behind, but of careful attention. The branch must stay connected to the vine. The wound will heal, and new growth will come, but only if the branch keeps drawing life and strength from its source. This is a daily choice. We need to hold fast to God’s Word, letting Scripture comfort us, just as Jesus said: "But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!" We also need to trust the Gardener’s hand, believing that the Father knows what should stay and what should go. His view is always wise and long-term. Finally, we should focus on the fruit, looking beyond the pain to the harvest ahead. The fruit we are being pruned for, whether it is deeper character, more effective ministry, or closer relationship with God, will bring great glory to the Father. Pruning is not failure, but a promise of what is possible. Embrace the discomfort, trust the Gardener, and stay connected to the Vine. After the season of cutting, a season of abundance will follow.

Take a moment to picture a garden. Not a flawless display, but a real, working garden with rich, freshly turned soil, ready for planting. What comes next? You plant something. That seems obvious, doesn’t it? No one expects to walk into a field and find ripe tomatoes without first planting seeds. This is how nature works, and it’s also how our lives—and especially our spiritual lives—work. Paul’s words to the Galatians capture this truth perfectly: "You will always harvest what you plant."
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Galatians 6:7-10 lays out what I call the Unwavering Law of the Harvest.
"Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit." (7-8 NLT)

The law is simple: what we sow is what we grow. If we plant seeds of self-interest, impatience, or bitterness, which reflect our sinful nature, the result will be decay. Our inner life, and then our outer life, will become dry and fruitless. But there is good news. When we choose to plant seeds that please the Spirit—like grace, truth, love, and forgiveness—we receive everlasting life. This is not just about what happens after we die; it’s about living a vibrant, purposeful, and abundant life right now. Living in the Spirit means continually planting God’s goodness in the soil of our hearts.

Here’s an important question for each of us: What seeds are we letting God plant in us today? We can’t share goodness with the world if we haven’t first received it from the Source of all goodness. Our ability to do Kingdom work, to show the world what God’s reign looks like, starts with what we allow to grow within us.

When you spend time in prayer, you are sowing intimacy. When you reflect on scripture, you are sowing wisdom. Choosing forgiveness over resentment means you are sowing peace. These are not just passive activities; they are active, intentional choices to fill your soul with God’s life-giving presence. The challenge is that what grows in your heart becomes what you share with others. If you have received God’s grace, you can show patience and understanding to your coworker. If you have experienced God’s love, you can offer real, selfless compassion to a neighbor who is struggling. The goodness God gives you is not meant to be kept for yourself; it is meant to be shared.

Paul gives us the encouragement we all desperately need when the work gets hard:
"So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith." (vv. 9-10 NLT)

Let’s be honest: sowing good seeds is not always easy. It can be inconvenient and takes effort and patience, especially when we do not see results right away. We get tired and sometimes wonder if it is worth it. We might feel tempted to focus only on our own needs. But this is the heart of our faith: to be intentional about sowing for God’s Kingdom. Watch for the opportunities God gives you, like a moment to say a kind word, a chance to help someone, or a reminder to pray for a friend. Each of these is a chance to plant a seed of God’s goodness. This is more than just being nice; it is about taking part in the work of the Kingdom and using what God has grown in you to bless others.

The promise is clear: "At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up." Keep planting God’s goodness in your life and continue to share it with the world. Keep tending your garden. A wonderful harvest is on the way.