One Lost Art

     Every now and then we will refer to something as being a "lost art."  It will usually be something that was done in the past but which is no longer done because it has been replaced.  Hence, we will say, "Well, that was a lost art."  There are some things in the Christian life that could fall under the same category.  Although, they shouldn't have been stopped, they just seem to fade away until they are no longer done.  I once did a sermon that I titled, "We Used to do That."   We used to pray all weekend, we used to witness more, we used to read the Bible daily, and the list goes on of things we used to do. One of the things in society that has changed is the simple courtesy of saying, "Thank you."  It seems to happen most when people think that certain acts of kindness are your responsibility, therefore, there is no need to say "thank you."  Second Corinthians 4:15 says, "For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God."   
      This verse reminds us that it should be a common practice for "thanksgiving" to redound to the glory of God.  This simply means that we should be "thanking" God for many, many things that go on in our lives.  It is an important part of what I call the "cycle of grace."  We can see it in this verse.  Grace is imparted to men and women from God and that causes joy in the heart of the believer.  Then, the natural thing to do, would be to over "thanksgiving" to God because of the grace and joy that we have already received.  A friend of mine and I were walking one day in a busy city.  We saw something that was not good in another person and the friend said, "There but by the grace of God, go I."  He wasn't the first person to have said it, but the impact was there.  Many times we see things going on that we could criticize and say, "I'm glad I'm not like that."  But, we should be saying, "There, but by the grace of God, go I."  The working of God's grace in our lives should cause us to naturally say, "Thank you" to God for what He has done.  Have you said, "Thank you" today?  While Thanksgiving is a one time a year day, the act of saying "thanks" should be going on every day and many times during that same day.  We recall that song that has a chorus that says, "Thank you Lord for saving my soul."  That is the first thing that we should be thanking God for.  Don't for get to say thank you to others, and certainly don't forget to thank God each and every day for His working in your  life.  Praise Him today for all of those things that He is doing for you even right now.