Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Philippians 4:6
We are coming upon the time of the year where we set aside a day to give thanks to God, who giveth us all things freely. We have so many holidays now that we have very little time to really give thought to what the holiday means. This may be the most important holiday we celebrate. A thankful heart is what it takes to celebrate. Are our hearts tuned toward thankfulness at this time?
We are in some trying times this year. Our country is divided and our economy is not doing so great. Many people are without jobs and have been for some time. We have four in our family that have had their lives turned upside down and are looking for work and direction in their lives at this time. I am sure that you know of many in the same condition. Our horn of plenty is not very full this year. This should not turn our hearts from being grateful and thankful to God for His marvelous works among men. The wonderful thing about living by faith in God is that we can rejoice in all things, because all things work together for our good!
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
James 1:2-4
When we are in testings and temptations, there is a work going on that is building character that will take us through the trial and make the rest of the journey smoother. Remember Paul and Silas prayed and sang at midnight, while being bound in prison. As they were being thankful and rejoicing in the Lord, God sent deliverance. True thankfulness comes before the deliverance, showing that we trust our God to work that which is good to our lives.
Any one can give thanks in good times but we, children of God, live beyond what the world can offer us and because of the promises of the future, we can give thanks in ALL THINGS. As Christ said, “We are a peculiar people.”
Many will be READY to give thanks, because their blessing has just recently arrived. Others will be WILLING to give thanks, because they believe their answers are on the way. But in ALL THINGS we are thankful to our wonderful God!
How can Christians be so positive in the face of difficulty? Because we live through the love of God and charity
Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.1 Corinthians 13:7
Let’s check our hearts and make sure we are thankful, with the attitude that pleases God.
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
Jeremiah 17:9-10
Our hearts are not trust worthy, but the Lord will search it out and reveal to us the things that need to be purged.
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24
Obedience is the greatest way to show our thankfulness. Before coming to the table to feast, let’s clean all the corners of our hearts and show the Lord just how thankful we are. We cannot have a murmuring and complaining spirit while attempting to be thankful.
How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me.
Numbers 14:27
The children of Israel accused the Lord of bringing them into the wilderness to kill them! After hearing them murmur and complain about His leading in their lives, He finally did just that. He killed many of them! That is what they expected and that is what they got. He said, “As you have spoken in my ear, so will I do.”(Num. 14:28) We must not forget that God is working for our good. We must keep thankful hearts, be patient and endure to the END, remembering we always triumph in Christ” (2Cor 2:14).
This article is written to encourage those who are under heavy burdens! Those basking in the blessings are already encouraged to give thanks and don’need lifting up. If you are burdened at this season, these next two verses should encourage your heart.
Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.
Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.
Isaiah 35:3-4
What a mighty God we serve!!! May our praises and thanksgivings ring out to the world and come before God’s presence as Sacrifices of Praise, offered with hearts full of love to the God of our salvation.
May God’s blessings be on you and your loved ones as you gather together to share your thanks to God for your loved ones and for the part they each
have in your life.
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
Philippians 4:4