Most years, my Thanksgiving Bible study has something to do with the origins of Thanksgiving in America (Pilgrims and Native Americans, the harsh voyage and deadly first winter in the New World, etc.), but this year the Lord is pressing me in a broader direction.  Let's dig in with the understanding that this study has application for EVERYONE and not just cops!

Although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. (added emphasis mine)

(2) Fallen from Thanksgiving

From all of our beginnings, we keep reliving the Garden story.  Satan, he wanted more. More power, more glory. Ultimately, in his essence, Satan is an ingrate. And he sinks his venom into the heart of Eden. Satan's sin becomes the first sin of all humanity: the sin of ingratitude. Adam and Eve are, simply, painfully ungrateful for what God gave.  Isn't that the catalyst of all my sin?  Our fall was, has always been, and always will be, that we aren't satisfied in God and what He gives. We hunger for something more, something other. 

(3) Redeemed by Thanksgiving

Matthew 11:25: " At that time [note the context of unrepentant and unthankful " cities where most of his mighty works had been done," verse 20] Jesus declared, 'I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.'" 

John 11:41: "... they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, 'Father, I thank you that you have heard me.'" [Jesus then raises Lazarus from the dead.]

Matthew 15:36:  Jesus "took the seven loaves and the fish, and having given thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples..." (added emphasis mine)

Luke 22:17-20 :  " He took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, 'Take this, and divide it among yourselves. For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.' And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, 'This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.'"

Paul gave evidence (we cops are all about the evidence) to this in both  Acts 27:35 (Jesus  "took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it...") and 1 Corinthians  11:23-24  (Our "Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it..").

(4) Freed for Thanksgiving 

Colossians 1:11-12: May you be "strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light."

Colossians 2:6-7: "... as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."

Colossians 3:15-17: " And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."  (thanks x 3 -- added emphasis mine)

Ephesians 5:20: "... giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

1 Thessalonians 5:18: " Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

So how does all this apply to those of us serving in our God-ordained CALLING of law enforcement (especially given all that we see that otherwise serves to make us anything but "thankful")?  Here are just a few points to ponder in considering living a life of continual thanksgiving:

* We get to serve in one of only two "God-ordained" professions in the Bible (the other being pastoral ministry) -- both genuine callings.

* Even after three decades, I still have the honor of serving in the greatest job on earth (yes, that is an opinion), and I give thanks to God for every day I can continue doing so.

* If you've retired or have otherwise left the profession, you should be living in gratitude for the time you had to "serve and protect." (it may be that the only way we can truly do that is through the power of the Holy Spirit that indwells every true believer). 

* Through our service, God allows us the honor of making a genuine difference in the lives of others (don't waste it)!

Even in my unbelieving and "make believer" (unsaved) days, I was always grateful for being able to do this job.  And now as I approach the big "6-0" (and closer to my "Caleb" years) sporting a host of injuries, age-related issues and two replaced hips ( thankful for the God-given miracle of modern medicine), I am THANKFUL that God has enabled me to still train in my craft ( Psalm 144:1), mentor and lead/serve younger officers and do what I can to make a difference in the lives of the public and my fellow officers.  

That said, and especially if you're working the holiday, let's ask God to give us opportunities to make a difference in the lives of others in accordance with Psalm 82:3-4, Romans 13:1-4 and other passages: To help make it possible for OTHERS to have a safe holiday; to make sure (even if by arrest) that a drunk family member is NOT remembered for dying or killing someone else on Thanksgiving; to give an "extra helping" of appropriate grace and mercy (Thanksgiving is often very "warning-oriented" for me); to -- especially if you're single -- take a Thanksgiving shift or a late call so that a fellow officer can be with his/her family; etc. (ask God to show you - He WILL). 

Finally, the reality is also that we deal with a whole lot of garbage (the fallout of sin) that ultimately serves to make us feel anything but thankful: bad bosses/lack of servant-leadership in our ranks (a cancer); PTSD; police suicide; divorce (almost always the result of sin); injuries, death (including our own being killed in the line of duty); the "War on Cops;" wickedness and misery on a scale most people will never see or understand; and more.  How can we possibly give "thanks" and have a spirit of gratitude with all that?  Folks, it is in fact IMPOSSIBLE unless we are first serving under the power, grace and leading of the Holy Spirit (the unsaved do NOT have that).  Do you have that Power in your life?  Do you in fact know Christ as Lord and Savior?  Do you KNOW where you will spend eternity if you died today (you can)?  Are you sure?  If not, then cry out to God for your salvation TODAY as you dig into the following: