Thanksgiving Everyday

Verse of the day: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Today, many are celebrating Thanksgiving Day in America. Over the years, I have seen this day of giving thanks being ignored and drowned by a commercialized Christmas. Halloween advertising begins in August in many places, because it is more fun to celebrate evil and demonic things. Before Halloween arrives, stores are already advertizing all things Christmas. As many of us celebrate this day of giving thanks, there are many who do not have family members or friends to celebrate with. Some are living through very difficult circumstances and may even be homeless in an area where temperatures are below freezing. When we stop and think about that, many of us have a tendency to complain about things that far less significant. If we are alive today, know Jesus Christ as our Savior, have clothes on our backs, a roof over our heads, and food on our table, we have much to be thankful for. 1 Timothy 6:8 says, “And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.” As a matter of fact, if we only have Jesus and lack the rest of it, we still have far more to be thankful about than those who have all the world has to offer but do not know Jesus as their Savior. Hebrews 13:5 reminds us, “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” I used to take great offense by seeing this holiday ignored. However, when I stepped back and thought about it, I had to remind myself that I actually celebrate Thanksgiving everyday of the year. How can that be you ask? Well, every morning when I wake, I consciously and purposely take time to thank God for the blessings in my life. When I start the day that way, it reminds me to be thankful, regardless what happened the day before, regardless of what my current circumstances are, and regardless of what the day may have in store. God’s Word clearly tells us that God’s will is that we rejoice all always and gives thanks in everything. How do we do this? We do this in prayer. So I want to encourage us today to be thankful, not just on a specific day of the year, once a year, but everyday of our lives. Will it always be easy to do that? Realistically, the answer to that is no. Is it possible to do it? Realistically, the answer to that is yes. If we have Jesus in our life, then being thankful every day, in spite of our circumstances, is absolutely possible. When we learn to give thanks during the most difficult of times, that is when our giving thanks become true worship, as expressed in Hebrews 13:15, “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name.”

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).