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Give Thanks For All Things
Give Thanks For All Things
Always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father (Ephesians 5:20)
This year November 23 will be a day of festivities as people throughout this nation celebrate “Thanksgiving Day.” Among the things done on this day will be those moments in which individuals will pause for a moment, reflect on days gone by and speak about the things they are thankful for. This is a wonderful day that we should enjoy to the fullest but in the midst of the celebration, as a child of God, “Thanksgiving” is not just a special day in November of each year. Being thankful and expressing our thanks for the many ways in which our lives have been and are each day blessed should be a part of our life every day of the year.
Being thankful is a very vital part of the life of a child of God. I hear Paul as he tells the church in Thessalonica, In everything give thanks (1 Thessalonians 5:18) and to the Colossians he says, Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to the which you were called in one body; and be thankful (Colossians 3:15).
On the physical side we should begin each day thanking God for our life, praising him for his love and goodness so bountifully bestowed on us (James 1:17). Our hearts should be filled with thanksgiving to our God for faithful, God fearing spouses, thankful for children who love us and are faithful to God, thankful for loving families and friends that help and encourage us. Yes. Thankful for all the material blessings we enjoy each day of our life. As I think about this, the thought comes to mind that we should be giving thanks daily to the Father for our life. I don’t know about you but I am thankful for every minute of life I have and I am thankful for every minute that is yet to come, the Lord willing. Be thankful my friends and every day tell God you love him, praise and thank him for your life. Thanksgiving should not be just a once a year part of our life, it should, yea must be, an everyday part of the life of a faithful child of God!
Then there are the spiritual blessings that should fill our hearts with thankfulness; the love of God (John 3:16, 1 John 3:1-3; the love of Christ (Rom. 5:8, Heb. 5:8-9); the church (Matt. 16:13-19, Acts 2); redemption through the blood of Christ, the forgiveness of sin (Col. 1:12-14); hope as an anchor of our soul (Heb. 6:18-19); assurance that in Christ we are safe (Rom. 8:28, 31-39, 1 Cor. 15:55-57, 1 John 5:11-13). O how we should be giving thanks daily to the Father for the awesome privilege of being able to go before the throne of grace and there receive mercy and find help in times of need (Heb. 4:16). When we go before that throne with hearts of thanksgiving, we can lay it all at the feet of the Lord knowing we will receive a peace that surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4:4-6). This is one of those exceedingly precious promises from God that has the power to turn the darkest night into a morning of joy. Be thankful to God and express your thankfulness to him through the words and deeds you engage in everyday of your life!
Charles Hicks, Gallatin Tennessee
