Thanksgiving

October 11th – Psalm 100

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Psalm 100

In Psalm 100, we find an exuberant call to give thanks, make a joyful noise, and enter God’s courts with praise. For we are His people. And the gates of His presence are open, welcoming us into the abundance of His grace and blessings. So how can our hearts not overflow with gratitude for His unwavering love and faithfulness? And how can we not accept His invitation and approach Him with thanksgiving and praise? For it is only because of His never ending grace, that we feel God’s abundance in every aspect of our lives. And by acknowledging His sovereign rule and enduring love, we not only connect with the abundance of God’s blessings but also cultivate an attitude of gratitude and contentment in our lives. This attitude of praise can inspire us to share God’s abundance with others, to serve and love them unconditionally, and to be instruments of His goodness in the world. And celebrate Him as our Creator and Shepherd.

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August 28th – Colossians 1:9

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Colossians 1:9

“since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you.”

Right now the world is in crisis. And that’s why more than ever, we are called to be mighty prayer warriors! Soldiers on our knees filling the heavens with our petitions. Prayers for ourselves and each other. The apostle Paul teaches there are four types of prayers we’re to use when praying both privately and publicly.  Deēseis, proseuchas, enteuxeis, and eucharistias. Translated into English, these are supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings. Supplications are those fervent pleas we make to God for immediate response. Prayers refer to all of our general petitions made to the Lord. Intercessions are those prayers from the heart where we lift up before God the needs of others. And thanksgivings are those prayers of praise for all God is, does, and blesses us with each and every day. Each type of prayer is a mighty weapon against the Enemy we should be using frequently. For nothing stops Satan faster in his tracks than when the voice of God’s people are lifted in unity to the heavens above!

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April 25th – Psalm 146:1

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Psalm 146:1

Many are the reasons to give God the glory. Creator and Ruler of all things, He champions the weak, fathers the orphans, heals the afflicted, and blesses all who put their hope in Him. Everyday there are reasons to give thanks to the Lord. And God covets the praise of His people. But not for His benefit. For ours. Because I know for me, no matter how low I feel or bad the circumstance, nothing soothes my soul like giving glory to God. It brings peace to my troubled mind. Joy to my hurting heart. And brings me close to my Abba, Father, who welcomes me with open arms of love. Most of all praising the Lord humbles me. For it reminds me of how much I fail God daily and still somehow, He wants me anyway. How could such an amazing and unmerited love not make my heart burst with songs of worship and thanksgiving!

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January 11th – 2 Corinthians 8:7

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2 Corinthians 8:7

In the days of Paul, the Jewish believers in Jerusalem were hurting. A famine had swept the land. Members of the church were disowned by their families, and taxes were levied against them by both Rome and the Jewish leaders. When the churches at Macedonia heard of their plight, even though they themselves were in deep poverty, they pleaded with Paul to let them help their brothers and sisters in Christ. From hearts filled with love for Jesus, and thankfulness for His saving grace, they were honored to show that same love and grace to others. And Paul calls us to do the same. Love isn’t only something we feel, love is also something we do. It isn’t enough just to have a desire to help others. Instead, we need to put that love into action, not only glorifying Him, but as proof of “the sincerity of your love” for the Lord. (vs. 8)

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May 2nd – Psalm 95:2

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Psalm 95:2

One of my favorite gifts from God is music. Music carries such power, science has proven that our bodies respond physiologically to the music we hear. Whether it be happiness, sadness, anger, or peace, we all have a favorite song that whenever we hear it, brings us right back to the memory it invokes. That’s why for me, there’s no faster way to feel close to God than singing my favorite hymn. My heart fills with joy, as my lips sing His praise. And my spirit is lifted by His mercy and love. Because there is nothing better for what ails us than singing and making melody to the Lord with our hearts.(Eph. 5:19) What’s your favorite song or hymn? When was the last time you sang it? Today take some time to make a joyful noise unto the Lord!

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November 26th – Psalm 118:24

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Psalm 118:24

Life has its up and downs, and some days are better than others. But each day that we are given, is a precious gift from God. And the morning dawn brings with it fresh opportunities. Opportunities to love another, to grow in our relationship with God, and to start anew. Yet while the Lord is indeed the Creator of every day and we should in fact rejoice in each one, the psalmist is actually speaking about a specific day. The wonderfully glorious day in which Jesus triumphantly entered the city of Jerusalem. Riding on the back of a donkey, He entered the city praised as “the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Luke 19:38) So give thanks. For our Savior, Jesus Christ, and each day we are given on this earth to spend with those we love. Rejoice and be glad in it!

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November 25th – 1 Chronicles 16:34

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1 Chronicles 16:34

As we celebrate this thanksgiving day, I pray that as the autumn leaves shower the land with their beauty, the Lord will shower you with His love, blessings, and goodness. Wishing you all a very happy holiday!

Lord, give me a thankful heart,
one that is appreciative
one that to all Your blessings
is attuned and sensitive.

Let it be a heart,
that sings its daily praise
let it be my heartfelt gratitude
that to You I earnestly raise.

Let me have a heart,
truly thankful for all things
no matter what in my life
You should choose to bring

Let my heart flow with,
the rivers of Your peace
so my appreciation to You
I may continually release.

Lord, give me a thankful heart,
one that is steadily hopeful
let it be the heart of one . . .
who is truly, forever grateful! ….Deborah Ann Belka

 

 

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November 24th – 1 Corinthians 15:57

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1 Corinthians 15:57

Charles Spurgeon once said, “The best moment of a Christian’s life is his last one, because it is the one that is nearest heaven.” For followers of Jesus, death isn’t to be feared, but to be celebrated. Because we know to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. (2 Cor. 5:8) Through His death and resurrection at the Cross, Christ defeated death forever. And now all Christians can look forward to an eternity spent at the side of our Savior. There we will celebrate Christ’s victory forever with songs of thanksgiving and continual praise for His mercy and love. Never again will we suffer from the pull of sin, for we will finally be the complete perfect images of our Lord. So with our last breath we can rejoice and give thanks to God. For His Son, Jesus Christ, has stolen both the victory and the sting of death forever!

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November 16th – Matthew 6:25

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Matthew 6:25

If you have food in your fridge, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and clean water to drink, you are richer than 75% of the world. Much is there to be thankful for. Because as Christians, God provides for those who love Him and follow His commandments. Fear and anxiety are powerful tools of the enemy. But God did not design us to be anxious or worried. In His Sermon on the Mount Jesus told the crowds, “Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’….Do not worry about tomorrow.” (Matt. 6:31,34) Our loving Father knows what we need, and promises to fill those needs. All we have to do is trust in His provision. Throughout their 40 year journey, not once did the Israelites go without. From their food, clothing, and shelter, God never failed them.(Deut. 29:4-6) And He won’t fail us. So rejoice and give thanks. For in God’s goodness, He gives us everything we need to live a godly life. (2 Peter 1:3)

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November 15th – Exodus 15:1

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Exodus 15:1

Many Christians frown upon celebrating holidays due to their pagan roots. But that’s not true with Thanksgiving. With the original day of December 13, 1621, the colonists started the tradition of giving thanks. A day set aside for feasting, prayer, and gratitude to God for all of His provisions. The Biblical definition of thanksgiving is “the act of acknowledging what is right about God in prayer and thanks.” And having gratitude to God comes up around 125 times throughout the Bible. That makes it pretty clear how important hearts of thanksgiving are to the Lord. The first thing the Israelites did when safely crossing the Red Sea was to sing a song of praise to God. For they knew that all good things in life only come from the Lord, especially their deliverance. And no matter the circumstance we face, there is always something to be thankful for. So this holiday and all days in between, from hearts overflowing with thanks, let our lips constantly be singing God’s praises!

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