THANKSGIVING
Scripture Reading--
1 Thessalonians 5:18--"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of
God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
Hebrews 13:15--"By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to
God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name."
The Bible says to "give thanks." Giving thanks--how we express our gratitude to God--is verbal appreciation expressed in words. It's an activity God tells us to practice.
How much prayer time did you devote to thanking God today? Have you told Him that you appreciate Him and His numberless benefits? "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is now variableness, neither shadow of turning" ( James 1:17 ). Because God is the source of all gifts we have received, He deserves to be thanked.
The Bible also says to give thanks "in every thing," not just for the good things. Giving thanks for our blessings seems natural, but how often do we neglect to give thanks "in every thing"? We don't thank God because everything is good; we thank Him because He is good! If we learn to respond with an attitude of gratitude, we will discover that "all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose" ( Rom. 8:28 ).
Matthew Henry said, "Thanksgiving is good, but thanksliving is better. Thanksgiving can be heard, but thanksliving can be seen." Grateful people are pleasant to be around. We can train ourselves to be thankful!
Count your blessings,
Name them one by one;
Count your blessings,
See what God has done.
APPLICATION: Ask each family member to list five things he's grateful for. You may want to ask members to write their lists on paper. Then ask each person to share his list. Go to God i prayer and rehearse your blessings. Don't rush! Be deliberate and reflect on God's goodness to you.
--Harold Vaughan--
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