Saying thank you is a good habit. It’s polite, it’s kind, and well, it’s just plain nice. When someone does good for you, when someone blesses you, when someone gives you a meal, say thank you. When someone helps you in a time of need, when someone forgives you, when someone provides for you, say thanks. When someone gives you wise advice, when someone gives you their valuable time, when someone walks with you through a hard time, a heart-felt thank you is in order. When someone loves you enough to be honest, when someone loves you enough to gently correct you when you’re wrong, instead of rejecting the truth, give them thanks for it. When someone rejoices with you and then turns right around and mourns with you, that blessing is worth a soul-generated thank you. Or when someone genuinely loves you no matter what you do to them or how you treat them. This is true unconditional love, give true unconditional thanks in return.
Folks, the “someone” mentioned above in each of these scenarios is Almighty God in our lives. Take a few seconds and go back and reread each scenario and make each personal, a loving exchange from God to you. And as you celebrate Thanksgiving Day today, look closely in the mirror at the person you are. If you have called upon Jesus as your Savior, you are a sinner saved by the amazing grace of God. God loves you so much that He sent His only Son to take your place so that you can live beyond this life. Give thanks to God for that glorious exchange. Take a careful look at every single tangible thing in your life, folks, they're all gifts from God. Your house, job, car, TV, furniture, money in the bank, food, clothes, bed, and yes even your much loved pets. If anything can be taken it away, it has first been given. And it has all been given to you by God. Give thanks to God. Look carefully at the people in your life today. Your wife or husband, your parents, your kids, your brothers and sisters in Christ, your friends, your family, your pastor, your neighbors. All people specifically placed in your life by God. Give thanks to God for them. If you continue in this vein, you will quickly realize that you cannot utter enough thanks from your lips to truly give proper gratitude to God your Father. And how do you even begin to thank someone for the very life that you are living? The very breath that you are taking in this moment is a gift. Indeed, He blesses us in ways we cannot possibly and fully fathom.
As we process giving thanks to God today on this day of Thanksgiving, let’s go directly to His Word and see what God Himself has to say about the not annual, but daily process of giving thanks. And the very specific direction of that thanks. (below italics mine)
“Give thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” Ephesians 5:20
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17
“Jesus took the bread in his hands and gave thanks to God. Then he passed the bread to the people, and he did the same with the fish, until everyone had plenty to eat.” John 6:11
“Let us be thankful, then, because we receive a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Let us be grateful and worship God in a way that will please him, with reverence and awe.” Hebrews 12:28
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things." Psalm 107:8-9
“I will always thank the Lord; I will never stop praising him.” Psalm 34:1
“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; his love endures forever.” 1 Chronicles 16:34
“But thanks be to God, who in Christ Jesus always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.” 2 Corinthians 2:14
“You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God." 2 Corinthians 9:11
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise his name." Psalm 100:4
“I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.” Psalm 7:17
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." Colossians 4:2
“I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus." 1 Corinthians 1:4
“For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer." 1 Timothy 4:4-5
“For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:15
“Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:15
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him." Psalms 28:7
“Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving and perform your vows to the Most High." Psalm 50:14
“And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name." 1 Chronicles 29:13
“I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving." Psalm 69:30
Whether you are with the entire family this Thanksgiving day or at home with a few loved ones, commit to do something different. Do something new today, start a new Thanksgiving tradition. If you're at the family gathering, make some time between all of the food and football and share these verses out loud. Maybe share them before the prayer is said over the meal. Today, steer your family and friends in the direction of where the true thanksgiving lies. Or if you're not able to be around family this Thanksgiving, read these verses with whomever God has placed you with. Either way, ensure your Thanksgiving is directed to where it belongs, to the Lord of all...the lover of your soul.
Thank you Lord, for the very breath in our lungs, may we constantly use it to give thanks and praise to You.
Happy Thanksgiving All ~ Dan
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