What are we thankful for? What has God done for each of us that will cause us to show Him our gratitude? When I’ve asked those questions over the years in ministry I have received many different answers. The one answer that perplexes me and makes me concerned for individuals when they say, “I just can’t think of anything.”
I usually want to shout, “What are you saying?” But, instead I walk them through a conversation to help them remember what God has done.
Lamentations 3:22-25 (ESV), “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.”
If those verses can’t give us an answer, I don’t know what else will. We can be thankful that God is faithful to us and pours out His mercies on us.
Thanksgiving is the time of year that always brings me a sense of love, pride, humility and thankfulness. It’s a day set aside for us to spend time remembering and thanking the Lord for all that He has done for us in the past year, and actually our whole lives.
1 Chronicles 16:11-12 (ESV), “Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles and the judgments he uttered.”
In 1779 the United States Congress recognized this and proclaimed, “Whereas it becomes us humbly to approach the throne of Almighty God, with gratitude and praise for the wonders which his goodness has wrought in conducting our forefathers to this western world…”
Despite all the craziness that has happened this year, we can still look back and be grateful for all that God has done for us. It has given us the opportunity to always remember to never neglect our gratitude towards the Lord during times of difficulty.
How often do we thank Him for what the different trials this year has brought? Do we find ourselves giving thanks to God during the tough times? Do we thank Him amidst the storms of life while we’re going through them?
Typically, we don’t, because we can tend to think only of ourselves. For example, just look at what happened to the disciples in Matthew 8:23-27.
Matthew 8:23-27 (ESV), “And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”
When we set aside special events or holidays and take one day to thank our Father and creator for His unwavering faithfulness and mercies; what are we doing the rest of the year?
This Thanksgiving season (as well as the whole next year) we all need to spend time in reflection on what the Lord has done for us. He has provided so much for us, and promises to continually do so, as long as we seek Him diligently. Matthew 6:33 (ESV) says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Also look at Romans 8:31-39.
God is an incredible and awe-inspiring God, so let’s live every day with that in mind. Over the next few days, I encourage each of us to spend some time in reflection, with a sense of gratitude for our Heavenly Father who has given us everything we need.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV), “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
I am personally thankful each one of you and pray that God gives you a restful and peaceful holiday.
Stay safe and may God’s blessing pour out on you,
Pastor Chuck
I usually want to shout, “What are you saying?” But, instead I walk them through a conversation to help them remember what God has done.
Lamentations 3:22-25 (ESV), “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.”
If those verses can’t give us an answer, I don’t know what else will. We can be thankful that God is faithful to us and pours out His mercies on us.
Thanksgiving is the time of year that always brings me a sense of love, pride, humility and thankfulness. It’s a day set aside for us to spend time remembering and thanking the Lord for all that He has done for us in the past year, and actually our whole lives.
1 Chronicles 16:11-12 (ESV), “Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles and the judgments he uttered.”
In 1779 the United States Congress recognized this and proclaimed, “Whereas it becomes us humbly to approach the throne of Almighty God, with gratitude and praise for the wonders which his goodness has wrought in conducting our forefathers to this western world…”
Despite all the craziness that has happened this year, we can still look back and be grateful for all that God has done for us. It has given us the opportunity to always remember to never neglect our gratitude towards the Lord during times of difficulty.
How often do we thank Him for what the different trials this year has brought? Do we find ourselves giving thanks to God during the tough times? Do we thank Him amidst the storms of life while we’re going through them?
Typically, we don’t, because we can tend to think only of ourselves. For example, just look at what happened to the disciples in Matthew 8:23-27.
Matthew 8:23-27 (ESV), “And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”
When we set aside special events or holidays and take one day to thank our Father and creator for His unwavering faithfulness and mercies; what are we doing the rest of the year?
This Thanksgiving season (as well as the whole next year) we all need to spend time in reflection on what the Lord has done for us. He has provided so much for us, and promises to continually do so, as long as we seek Him diligently. Matthew 6:33 (ESV) says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Also look at Romans 8:31-39.
God is an incredible and awe-inspiring God, so let’s live every day with that in mind. Over the next few days, I encourage each of us to spend some time in reflection, with a sense of gratitude for our Heavenly Father who has given us everything we need.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV), “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
I am personally thankful each one of you and pray that God gives you a restful and peaceful holiday.
Stay safe and may God’s blessing pour out on you,
Pastor Chuck
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