September 2026

Dearly beloved in the Lord,
Grace and peace be upon you. Praise be unto God
who has blessed us with the privilege and opportunity to
be part of this year’s Annual Thanksgiving Fest of AMC
that is scheduled for  the 12 (Saturday) and the 13
(Sunday) of September 2026. As individuals, families
and as the community of the Annanagar Methodist
Church, we gather together to thank God for all the
innumerable blessings we have received from God
above. Gratitude keeps our eyes focused on God, the
source of all good gifts. It keeps our hearts open to
continue living grateful lives. May I invite each and every
one of you to cheerfully and joyfully to come with hearts
full of gratitude. What would be the implications of a life
of thanksgiving? It should be Thanks-living!
A. Thanks-living acknowledges our true position:
Gratitude by it’s nature is the realizaon that we have
received from a source beyond ourselves. “The earth is
the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who
live in it.” (Psalm 24:1; also Psalm 50:10, 11; Haggai 2:8).
The Apostle James was inspired to write in his Epistle: 

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of lights with whom there
is no variation or shadow due to change.” (James 1:17)
Thanks-living acknowledges that all we have and hold
are owned by God and whatever we have are entrusted
to our care for faithful stewardship as managers. This is
what the understanding of “stewardship” comes from: A
steward is someone who manages or administers the
property or affairs of someone else as an agent. The
message of the Old and New Testaments is that human
beings act as stewards of God for creation.
In giving back or in giving thanks, we repudiate the
culture of entitlement that believes that we inherently
are owed something and that we are entitled. No, all our
abilities, opportunities, and possessions come from
God, the fount of all blessings.
We either live as those who are ultimately managers
and consider how we manage what we have in light of
being faithful to God’s purposes or we consider
ourselves to be the absolute owners and will always be
unwilling about any responsibility to give to God’s
purposes. But a heart of gratitude implies that we have
learnt to hold things lightly.
B. Thanks-living reveals our true provisions: Gratitude
allows us to see the reality of what brings lasting security
and satisfaction the true provision that will last. Wealth prosperity

and material things do not satisfy, they only
create a desire in us for more.
Paul’s life was filled with many difficulties which he
could have complained about, in all fairness. How many of us 

would put up with constant stress, confusion,
persecution, and beatings that left deep scars and
permanent injuries, and still maintain a positive
attitude? But Paul had learned an important secret to
life. He said, “I have learned to be content whatever the
circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know
what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of
being content in any and every situation, whether well
fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can
do everything through him who gives me strength.”
(Philippians 4:11-13). He had learned the secret of not
living life based on the conditions around him.
His happiness was not based on situations, it was
based on his relationship with Christ. He knew he had all
he needed in him, for it was Christ that gave him the
strength for life. The Bible says, “Godliness with
contentment is great gain.” Notice that it does not say
“Prosperity with contentment is great gain.”
Contentment comes from seeking God, not things. Jesus
said, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well.”
(Matthew 6:33)Contentment comes when you learn that this world
can never satisfy you, but that satisfaction can be found
in a relationship with God and living for him. It is that
relationship which provides us with meaning and
security in this life, and an assurance of eternal life
where all our deepest needs will be completely satisfied.
3. Thanks-living exhibits our true power: Gratitude
realizes that we have the God given power to give.
Generosity enjoys exercising that power. E. Fromm, a German 

social psychologist says “Giving is the highest
expression of potency. In the very act of giving I
experience my strength, my wealth, my power.” God is a
giver. Anytime we imitate God and do the works that He
does, we are tapping into the very life, power and being
of God. “…remember the words of the Lord Jesus. He
said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’?” (Acts
20:35)
Those who become more grateful become more
generous…and the generosity allows them to sense
greater purpose in life. Giving is liberating and it is an
antidote to being bound by need and greed, fear and
anxiety. Many are anxious about their financial futures
because they haven’t learned that people who hold
tightly to their money will be in bondage to financial
concerns, whereas people who open their hands freely
in giving will experience emotional liberty in financial
matters.
Brethren, an attitude of grattiude is an act of faith. It
means you are unafraid to live and be happy because
you have faith in a God who cares for you and provides
for you. He is faithful and his promises are true. To trust
God for all that you need is to thank for all that you have.
It creates an attitude of gratitude. As we come together
and participate during this year’s  Thanksgiving Fest, may
we acknowledge ourselves as faithful stewards, reveal
our lasting provision of contentment and exhibit our
power of sharing.