Be thankful!



Be thankful. 

It sounds easy. Those two words seem to roll off the lips of most people without any effort at all. For some of us, we choke on them. They seem empty and cold. They have no true meaning. The meanings they are intended to have are lost on us. The reason they are lost on us? We do not see the big picture that God intends us to see: this world is not our home. This home we are struggling so much on and in - doesn't matter. These gossipers and slanderers that we seem so consumed by - do not matter. What matters is the glory of God. What matters is our glory that we will see when we stay "...faithful unto death". We receive a crown when we are faithful. For that reason, when we are high or when we are low, we give thanks. This season, let's try to focus our attention on God and not ourselves.

  • 1 Chronicles 16:34 - O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

  • Psalm 100:4 - Enter His gates with thanksgiving, And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name.

  • Psalm 107:29-32 - He caused the storm to be still, So that the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad because they were quiet; So He guided them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the LORD for His lovingkindness, And for His wonders to the sons of men! Let them extol Him also in the congregation of the people, And praise Him at the seat of the elders.

  • Jeremiah 33:11- Give thanks to the LORD of hosts, for the LORD is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

  • Ephesians 5:4 - Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

  • 2 Corinthians 9:11 - You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.

  • Colossians 4:2 - Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

  • Colossians 3:15 - And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.

  • 1 Timothy 4:4-5 - For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
  • Revelation 11:17 - We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign
  • Revelation 7:12 - Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.

  • It is hard sometimes to get over ourselves. We are called to a higher purpose than ourselves. Our purpose in life is not to satisfy ourselves, rather, it is to bless God and bless our fellow man. Next time we are unthankful, remember this world is not our home - we're just passing through. What impact will we have on just one individual? What blessing will we give because we truly understand that since we breathe we are blessed to serve God with another opportunity not given to some people. God bless, remember our blessings, happy Thanksgiving!

  • The Word, Timothy J Holland 

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