~ ~ ~ Be Thankful! ~ ~ ~

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
~ 1 Thessalonians 5:18 ~

Every November, you hear about being thankful and grateful for all the blessings in your life. Sometimes you hear the word "thankful" so often that it ceases to have meaning to you.

I urge you this Thanksgiving to view the subject of "thankfulness" with a new energy and focus.

What does the word "thankful" actually mean? Encarta defines the word thankful:

1. feeling gratitude: feeling or expressing gratitude. We must be thankful for small mercies

2. glad about something: glad or relieved about something

How has God blessed you this past year? Can you recall specific times when you called out to Him in prayer? How did God respond to your request?

Somtimes God doesn't answer our prayers the way that we think that he should answer them. God sees our situation much better than we do and we can trust that he always has our best interest in mind. We only see a tiny piece of the big puzzle and God has the entire puzzle in his vision.

Do you ever find it difficult to be thankful? Sometimes situations in our lives can make being thankful a difficult chore. Even in the worst of times we can find reasons to be thankful. Knowing that Jesus loves us and chose to willingly die for us is a very big reason to be thankful this year.

Knowing that God is in control and that he has a purpose for our lives is another reason to be thankful. God blesses us in so many ways and sometimes we fail to see or recognize His handiwork in our lives. Think about all the wonderful things in your life such as family and friends. Sometimes a brother or a sister can seem to be anything BUT a blessing but think about how empty your life would be without them.

Be thankful for your Mom & Dad. Take the time to tell them how much you appreciate all the little things they do for you. Write them a note and let them know that what they do for you is valued by you.

Be thankful for the home in which you live. If you have a warm bed to sleep in and good food to eat, then you should thank God for providing for your needs. Give back to someone who is not as fortunate as you and donate food or your time this holiday season to them.

 

~ ~ ~ BE THANKFUL ~ ~ ~
Reasons to be thankful ......

Baby Jesus

Over 2000 years ago, God sent His only Son to earth as a baby in a manger. Thanksgiving is the beginning of the Holiday Season. Take time this Thanksgiving to thank God for sending us Baby Jesus!

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

²⁶In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, ²⁷to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. ²⁸The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."
²⁹Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. ³⁰But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. ³¹You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. ³²He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, ³³and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

Everlasting life

Everlasting life is what Jesus offers us if we believe in Him and accept His sacrifice on the cross. Jesus came to earth to pay the price for our sins. Be thankful to Him for the ultimate sacrifice He made for you. Because he chose to die for you, you can live forever in Heaven with Him someday.

John 3:16
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[Or his only begotten Son] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
(Whole Chapter: John 3 In context: John 3:15-17)

Thanksgiving turkey ;)

Health and healing

Be thankful that when you or someone you care about is ill, you can pray for God's healing power.

Isaiah 53:5
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
(Whole Chapter: Isaiah 53 In context: Isaiah 53:4-6)

Psalm 147:3
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. (Whole Chapter: Psalm 147 In context: Psalm 147:2-4)

Psalm 103:3
who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, (Whole Chapter: Psalm 103 In context: Psalm 103:2-4)

Psalm 30:2
O LORD my God, I called to you for help and you healed me.
(Whole Chapter: Psalm 30 In context: Psalm 30:1-3)

An abundant life

Isn't it comforting to know that Jesus desires for us to have an abundant life on this earth. Encarta defines the word abundantly this way:

a?bun?dant
adjective

1. plentiful: present in great quantities

2. well-supplied:  providing a more than plentiful supply of something

3. found in quantity: existing in large quantities

Jesus said:

Jesus said, "I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly" (that it might be full and meaningful)
(John 10:10)

Jesus desires that our lives are full of meaning. He desires for us to be well supplied and well taken care of. Thanksgiving is a time of celebrating our abundance and being grateful for our blessings. Take stock of your life and offer a prayer of thanksgiving to the one who has given you such abundance.

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD , "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
(Whole Chapter: Jeremiah 29 In context: Jeremiah 29:10-12)

Neighbors and friends

Friends and neighbors are such a treasure in this life. Whenever you are feeling down, a true friend is always there for you offering love, hope, and encouragement.

The Bible teaches us that it is important to love our friends and neighbors. Friends are so valuable to us and it is important that we let them know how much they mean to us. Do something special for your friends this Thanksgiving. Send them a card or a note. Bake an extra batch of cookies and share these with your neighbors.

John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
(Whole Chapter: John 15 In context: John 15:12-14)

Matthew 22:39
And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'[ 22:39 Lev. 19:18]
(Whole Chapter: Matthew 22 In context: Matthew 22:38-40)

King of Kings

When you bow your head this Thanksgiving to thank the Lord for your blessings, do not forget to thank Him for sending us the greatest King. There will always be evil in our world but our King is greater than the evil.

1 Timothy 6
¹⁴to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵which God will bring about in his own time--God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, ¹⁶who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.

1 John 4:4
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
(Whole Chapter: 1 John 4 In context: 1 John 4:3-5)

Forgiveness

Can you imagine owing a debt that you can not pay? What if a friend offered to repay your debt for you. When Jesus died on the cross for our sins, that is just what he did. He paid the price for sins he had not committed. How grateful we should be for what Jesus did for us.

He Died for YOU! Did you know that if you had been the only person alive, Jesus still would have died for just YOU! That is how much He loves you! Thank Him for offering you forgiveness.

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)

Umbrella of protection

Are you thankful that during times of trouble that you can ask God for His protection? Knowing that God cares for us and that He is always watching us is very comforting.

Psalm 5:11
But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
(Whole Chapter: Psalm 5 In context: Psalm 5:10-12)

1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (Whole Chapter: 1 Peter 5 In context: 1 Peter 5:6-8)

Psalm 32:7
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah
(Whole Chapter: Psalm 32 In context: Psalm 32:6-8)

Love that is unimaginable

God's love for us is hard to understand because God's love is unconditional. God loves us no matter what he do. He loves us completely and even sent his Son to die for us. God expects us and commands us to love one another just as he has loved us.

John 13:34
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
(Whole Chapter: John 13 In context: John 13:33-35)

Printable Sheets For "Be Thankful"

Thanksgiving Bible Verses
"I Am Thankful" - Coming later today
Printable - "Thank You" cards for Mom, Dad, Brother, Sister, Grandma & Grandpa

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him,
and bless his name. Psalm 100:4