“always give thanks to God in all things" Ephesians 5:20
It is hard to believe that this year is almost over, and we are nearing a favored holiday, Thanksgiving. The Bible tell us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “In every situation (no matter what the circumstances), be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus”.
With all that is going on in the world it may be hard to find something to be thankful for as some have lost loved ones, jobs, socialization, hope and I could go on and on. For some, Thanksgiving may the one highlight of this whole year. It is a time and opportunity to spend with family and friends to give thanks to the Lord for all He has done for us. This too may look different for a lot of us this year with the coronavirus pandemic still sweeping around the world.
Thanksgiving is the act of giving thanks and grateful acknowledgements of benefits or favors, especially to God. It is an expression of thanks (Dictionary.com). Thankfulness is the expression of our appreciation to God (and others that God has placed in our lives) for what we are, have, and receive.
Although Thanksgiving is a Day set aside to for us to give thanks to God, everyday should be a day of thanksgiving. Everything we do and everything about us should be an expression of our appreciation to God. Our relationships should be handled with thanks to God, our jobs should be performed with thanks to God, our finances should be handled with thanks to God, our behaviors should reflect our thankfulness to God , our ministry/service, etc. should all be a reflection of our thanks to God. Everything we say and do should be done out of thanksgiving to God. After all He is the reason, we have what we have, are who we are, and can do what we do. Thanksgiving is an act of worship and should be a part of our lifestyle. Psalm 50:23 “He who offers a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving honors me. And him who orders his way rightfully (who follows the way that I show him) I shall show the salvation of God”.
2 Corinthians 9: 11-12 NLT. “Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. So, two good things will result from the ministry of giving-the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God”. Living a life of thanksgiving and showing that thankfulness by being generous with what God has given us will produce thanksgiving not only in us but in those to whom we show and share our thankfulness with.
I read a quote the other day by the late Evangelist Billy Graham “We should not let a day go by without thanking God for His mercy and grace to us in Christ Jesus”. This is something not only to think about but to do!
My family used to sing s song every year at our Family Thanksgiving service entitled “Every day is a day of Thanksgiving”. There are so many ways that we can express our thankfulness to God: singing, playing instruments, praying, giving offerings, serving others, worshipping God, speaking about Jesus, and living holy lives! We ought to take the time every day to glorify the Lord! He has been too good to us not to. Let us be thankful and if you haven’t already let’s start Thanks-Living!!!
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