By Emmanuel Awari-Jalingo
Christians have been call upon to imbibe the spirit of thanksgiving.
The Guest Speaker and the associate pastor of UMC Kpanti, Nyamusala, Rev.James Yaruta made the call while speaking at the harvest and thanksgiving service of the Southern Conference of the United Methodist Church UMC, Sabon Gari, Jalingo.
He said that for a believer to prosper, he should imbibe the spirit of thanksgiving.
“There is secret in thanksgiving. You should not come to God with empty hands. This is an act of expressing our situation either good or bad to him.
“This is to show that he is God and not that he lacks anything.
According to him, God love a cheerful giver and that people should not put their trust in what they have on earth.
He took his scriptural reading from the books of, Luke 12:13-21, 2Corinthians 9:6-7, Mathew 6:19-21, said that God gave believers opportunity to fellowship together and praise him together.
“The gift of everlasting life is not bought with money, but a free gift from God. We cannot buy sleep, health, air and others with money, only through God.
He urge believers to be kind to each other, adding that there are blessings attached to kindness.
“There are somethings that prayers may not give you, but your kindness will give you.
In his remarks, the Church Pastor, Rev. Cletus Khuturu, appreciated members for their support and giving, describing the occasion as a success.
“It was meant to bring believers of the Church into honoring God, because of his benevolence of living us this year to witness the harvest and thanksgiving service to come before him with gratitude for what he has done for us. From farmers, business Men and Women, Civil Servants, Public Office holders and others all come together to show gratitude to God for keeping us as a Church family.
“In the past, we were inviting other Churches to join us, but for this year, we did it in-house thanksgiving to appreciate God.
On his part, the Chairman, Church Council, Sabon Gari District, Mr. Samuel Lauya, said:
“Normally November period is a period set aside for harvest and thanksgiving service all over various Churches we had in the state.
He attributed the low turnout for this year’s thanksgiving service to problem of Insecurity.
“As you are aware, we have problem of Insecurity that is going on and poverty is at high rate couple with what is happening, sicknesses all over. If somebody didn’t have something to eat, you know that definitely there is problem and that is why the turnout is low this year – he said.