Introductory Thoughts
The Bible describes the last days of the church age as perilous times overwhelmed by excess of sin. However, dedicated Christians living within God’s will desire righteousness to reign. No matter, sins such as pride, blasphemy, despising the good, and loving pleasures more than God prevail during the last days. Believers are admonished not to get caught up in them and forewarned to turn away from these activities. These areas are all recognized as problems increasingly prevalent in today's societies, but sometimes “we miss the forest for the trees.” We recognize these obvious sins as severe and sore displeasing to the Lord; but in their midst, the Lord also mentions unthankfulness. This is another of the identifying marks of the end times. People have grown increasingly unthankful. Unfortunately, these earmarks are not limited to the world but have also infiltrated the church.
Devotional Thoughts
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(For children): Psalm 68:19 says that God daily loadeth us with benefits. Have mom and dad help you to recognize these things and then thank God for them. Many people become unthankful because they fail to admit that it is God who gives us good gifts (James 1:17).
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(For everyone): Are you proud when you recognize that you are not like the world when it comes to blasphemy and pride? Do you then find yourself excusing the sin of unthankfulness?
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Christians often think it important to turn away from those who are blasphemous, but what about those who are simply not thankful toward God? Should we surround ourselves with those who refuse to be thankful toward God?
Prayer Thoughts
- Ask God to deliver you from the sin of unthankfulness.
- Ask the Lord to more clearly show you how He feels about unthankfulness.
Song
Ingratitude's a Sin
