Give Thanks With A Grateful Heart

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope most of you are spending a glorious day with family and friends in fellowship with good food and lots of Thanksgiving. 

“There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because the LORD your God has blessed you.” (Deuteronomy 12:7) (NIV)

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” (1 Chronicles 16:34) (NIV)

God does love you, and when you hurt, He hurts with you and when you rejoice, He rejoices. God loves His children and desires a relationship with them. He wants us to choose to follow Him. It's our choice. However, if you haven't made that choice yet, I hope you will come to understand that God sent His Son in the world not to condemn the world but to save it.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17) (NIV)

Jesus came into the world so that all might have life and have it more abundantly.

“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10) (KJV)

As life goes on and I mature, over the years I have learned that even in the bad times, I need to give thanks.

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) (NIV)

Even in times of trial or great sorrow, God never leaves our side.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6) (NIV)

God can use everything for His good, to teach us and bring us closer to Him.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NIV)

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” James 1:2-3 (NIV)

No one ever said that becoming a Christian meant one would live the rest of their lives without conflict. No, on the contrary, we as Christians will face many trials in our lifetime, but we will handle conflict different than non-believers do because of our hope and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

As your faith grows, it is my prayer for you today that learn to give God thanks with grateful heart in times of great joy and in times of great sorrow. Know that God is always with you. He never leaves your side.

He provides. “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19) (NIV)

He comforts. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort.” (2 Corinthians 1:3) (NIV)

He guides. “For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.” (Psalm 48:14) (NIV)

He loves. “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.”  (Psalm 136:1) (NIV)

Give Thanks With A Grateful Heart by Don Moen