Being thankful when you have everything should be easy, right? As Christians we have everything that we need for our eternal futures--forgiveness of sins and the promise of heaven. So how come it's so hard to be content with what we have now, in this world, today?

Former Forward in Christ editor Gary Baumler reminds us that it's not about having the most toys in this world; instead it's about the eternal gifts that God has given us. Pastor Tony Schultz talks about the fruit of faith of contentment--and how we don't have to look farther than our refrigerator door to see how blessed we are physically as well as spiritually.

Because we are so spiritually blessed, we can be thankful even when we have earthly difficulties. The Heberlings share how their faith continues to help them be content despite devastating illnesses and accidents. An inspiring story about a Hmong pastor who on the outside appeared to have lost everything shows us how God works through our problems to open up new opportunities to share the only thing we truly need: the message that our sins are forgiven through Jesus.

• Real thankfulness looks to heaven
• Confessions of faith
• Voices of youth
• The apostles: St. Andrew
• Lessons from Joseph's story

• Answers to Jon Schroeder's interactive Bible study, The apostles: St. Andrew
• Bible study for Michael Woldt's article on the public ministry.

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