IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS

On November 27th, Americans will once again celebrate a national day of thanksgiving.  It is a day set aside to give thanks unto God for our great heritage and His many blessings bestowed upon us.  For many, Thanksgiving is simply a day off from work. It is a time to overeat, enjoy parades and ball games, and visit friends and relatives. However, for the child of God, every day is truly Thanksgiving Day. Paul admonished. “In everything give thanks”  (I Thess. 5:18).  For what does the child of God give thanks?

• Give thanks for God’s goodness and mercy (I Chron. 16:34).

• Give thanks for God’s holiness (Ps. 30:4).

• Give thanks for God’s creation (Ps. 75:1).

• Give thanks for God’s deeds (Ps. 105:1).

• Give thanks for God’s righteous judgement (Ps. 119:62).

• Give thanks for our food (Mt. 15:36).

• Give thanks for the body and blood of Jesus (Mt. 26:26-28).

• Give thanks for the victory found in Jesus Christ (I Cor. 15:57).

• Give thanks for the care and compassion of others (2 Cor. 9:15).

• Give thanks for God’s unspeakable gift - Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 9:15).

• Give thanks for our brethren (Eph. 1:16).

• Give thanks for all things (Eph. 5:20).

• Give Thanks for all men (I Tim. 2:1).

• Give thanks for civil authorities (I Tim. 2:2).

• Give thanks for the hope of heaven (Rev. 11:16-17).

Surely, we can think of countless other blessings for which we should give thanks.  These
are just a few of those mentioned in the Holy Scriptures.  Let us begin today thanking God for His many favors shown toward His children.

By Barry M. Grider

BE THANKFUL

• If you own just one Bible you are abundantly blessed.  One third of the world does not have access to even one. 

• If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.

• If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of 500 million people in the world. 

• If you can attend a church meeting without fear and harassment, arrest, torture or death, you are more blessed than three billion people in the world. 

• If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world. 

• If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish
  someplace, you are among the top 8% of the worlds wealthy. 

• If your parents are still married and alive, you are very rare, even in the United States. 

• If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not. 

• If you can hold someone’s hand, hug or even tough him or her on the shoulder, you are blessed because you can offer God’s healing touch. 

• If you prayed yesterday, you are in the minority because you believe in God’s willingness to hear and answer prayer. 

• If you believe in Jesus as the Son of God, you are a part of a small minority in the world. 

• If you can read this message, you are more blessed than over two million people in the world that cannot read anything at all.

 BE THANKFUL TO THE LORD!

—Maurice Hall