A Time to Give Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! What comes to your mind when you think of Thanksgiving? Pilgrims, Family, Friends, Turkey, and Football? These elements are wonderful and enjoyable, but do you also find yourself expressing gratitude to your Creator?

In the midst of this season of thanksgiving, I would like for us to meditate on expressing gratitude to our God. If we were honest with each other, we really don't stop to give thanks for the every day things like we should. It seems that it's usually around thanksgiving that we focus on "what should we be thankful for." I would challenge us today to give this area of our lives some serious consideration. Here are just a few suggestions:

1. Thankfulness to our AWESOME God:

Psalm 136:26 – "Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever." (ESV)

I have full assurance that everyone reading this is genuinely thankful to God, but I know how often I become comfortable with and "used to" my salvation and the mercy God has given to me. When I take the time and effort to really think of who I used to be and where I used to be destined and even now how I, far to often, treat my holy and loving God - HE IS SO MERCIFUL TO ME!!! Let's ponder God's enduring faithfulness and love, and we really tell Him from our hearts that we love Him and that we are thankful for that undeserved mercy!

2. Thankfulness for RELATIONSHIPS

Ephesians 1:16 – "I have never stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly." (NLT)

The Apostle Paul often refers to his love and prayers for the church. For most of us, it is easy to be thankful for our family and our best friends. But are we truly thankful for who God has placed in our lives – those that we truly love and are blessed by AND those who are difficult to get along with?

So, who are the people that have impacted your life? Who are the people that God has placed in your path to mold you and direct you? Who are the people that God has put under you to impact for His glory? Are you truly thankful for these relationships? May God help us to realize the value of such relationships, and may we express our gratitude to them in how we treat them as well as how we pray for them and challenge them spiritually.

3. Thankfulness in EVERYTHING

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

So what does this verse mean? It means that in whatever circumstances you and I are in, it is God's will that we thank Him! Take 2 minutes and think through these questions to help you apply this verse…

• When was the last time I was grateful that I can walk without using crutches or a wheelchair?


• When was the last time I was grateful that I can breathe without a machine pushing air into my lungs?


• When was the last time I was grateful that I was in a country that allows me to worship God?


• When was the last time I was grateful to have a family?• When was the last time I was grateful to have clothing and shoes?


• When was the last time I was grateful for the food that my parents provide for me each day?


• When was the last time I was grateful for "bad events" or "difficult people" knowing that God has ordained these things so that I could be CONFORMED TO HIS IMAGE!!! (that IS our desire, right?).
  

I hope you are already seeing how grateful we can be for the "big" things and the "little" things. May we learn to be truly grateful while we have them and may we not need to lose them to realize their true value and truly be grateful in our hearts.To help us build a grateful attitude in our hearts, I would like to challenge you to do this exercise. It won't take long. Just get out a sheet of paper and a pen and take your time...

1. List 2 decisions made by those in authority over you that you are not happy about

2. List 2 circumstances in life that you wish were different

3. List 2 people who make your life very difficult or stressful

4. List 2 people in life that are the most encouraging to you

5. List 2 things in life that bring you joy or happiness

6. List 2 things about yourself you DON'T like (things you can’t really change)

7. List 2 things about yourself that you do like

Now take this list and PRAY. Thank God for each of these things, both good and bad. If we really believe that everything in life comes to us from God then we will be able to truly thank Him for everything. Make sure you are very specific why you are thankful for each thing and try to think of biblical reasons why you can be thankful. Connect God with your thankfulness!

So, do you want to do God's will today? In EVERYTHING give thanks!!! As you do, remember to love Christ passionately, know Christ deeply, and enjoy Christ fully!

Wishing you all a great Thanksgiving Day,

Pastor Stephen and Shannon