Happy Thanksgiving everyone! What comes to your mind when you think of Thanksgiving? Sure, there are a lot of things that we traditionally do on Thanksgiving Day, 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 us! 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 do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers." (ESV)
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 (both the good times and trials), it is God's will that we thank Him!
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. 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
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