Today, many are celebrating Thanksgiving with friends , family, and food. It is easier to remember to be thankful when so many bombard social media with posts about it.
But daily, we have opportunities to be thankful. Thankful for our breath, thankful for the nature we are allowed to enjoy. For those who know Jesus as Lord and Savior , we can be thankful and rejoice in our redemption.
Psalm Chapter 118
Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good,
for his loving kindness endures forever.
2 Let Israel now say
that his loving kindness endures forever.
3 Let the house of Aaron now say
that his loving kindness endures forever.
4 Now let those who fear Yahweh say
that his loving kindness endures forever.
5 Out of my distress, I called on Yah.
Yah answered me with freedom.
6 Yahweh is on my side. I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?
7 Yahweh is on my side among those who help me.
Therefore I will look in triumph at those who hate me.
8 It is better to take refuge in Yahweh,
than to put confidence in man.
9 It is better to take refuge in Yahweh,
than to put confidence in princes.
10 All the nations surrounded me,
but in Yahweh’s name I cut them off.
11 They surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me.
In Yahweh’s name I indeed cut them off.
12 They surrounded me like bees.
They are quenched like the burning thorns.
In Yahweh’s name I cut them off.
13 You pushed me back hard, to make me fall,
but Yahweh helped me.
14 Yah is my strength and song.
He has become my salvation.
15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous.
“The right hand of Yahweh does valiantly.
16 The right hand of Yahweh is exalted!
The right hand of Yahweh does valiantly!”
17 I will not die, but live,
and declare Yah’s works.
18 Yah has punished me severely,
but he has not given me over to death.
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness.
I will enter into them.
I will give thanks to Yah.
20 This is the gate of Yahweh;
the righteous will enter into it.
21 I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me,
and have become my salvation.
22 The stone which the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.†
23 This is Yahweh’s doing.
It is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day that Yahweh has made.
We will rejoice and be glad in it!
25 Save us now, we beg you, Yahweh!
Yahweh, we beg you, send prosperity now.
26 Blessed is he who comes in Yahweh’s name!
We have blessed you out of Yahweh’s house.
27 Yahweh is God, and he has given us light.
Bind the sacrifice with cords, even to the horns of the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you.
You are my God, I will exalt you.
29 Oh give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good,
for his loving kindness endures forever.
We always wonder what God's Will is. The first thing is God doesn't want anyone to perish and that desires that all repent of sin and live.
1 Thessalonians 5:13b- 24 says
Be at peace among yourselves. 14 We exhort you, brothers: Admonish the disorderly; encourage the faint-hearted; support the weak; be patient toward all. 15 See that no one returns evil for evil to anyone, but always follow after that which is good for one another and for all.
16 Always rejoice. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you. 19 Don’t quench the Spirit. 20 Don’t despise prophecies. 21 Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.
23 May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 He who calls you is faithful, who will also do it.
Pray continuously, means keep the communication between you and Lord open as a two-way conversation. Sin and unforgiveness hinders prayers if we do not repent . Give thanks in everything.
How can I be thankful for the fact that my friend has cancer? You don't have to be thankful for the horrible situations. So how can you be thankful for this? I did have a dear friend who did have cancer for almost three years . I was thankful for every day I got to text her. Every day for our friendship. I rejoiced at periods of healing . Now, that she's been with Jesus since July 2022, what can I be thankful for? I can be thankful for the six years of friendship. Rejoice at the promise that because we both know Jesus as Lord and Savior, one day we will be reunited and our friendship continue for eternity.
Being thankful becomes a way of life when we remember the blessings that God gives, when He's not required to give us anything more than He already has. He doesn't have to give our next breath, if we get to enjoy another one, then it's a gift. Don't waste the gifts given. Don't waste time , use it wisely and honor the One who gave it to you.
What is something you can be thankful for today? Have a safe Thanksgiving Holiday , if you celebrate, otherwise have a great Thursday!
*All Scripture is from the World English Bible Version.
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