Thanksgiving is giving thanks to God for all He has freely given us. The greatest gift I’ve ever been given is salvation, through which Christ died for our sins. I’m eternally grateful and thankful for Jesus. His precise gift has delivered me from sin and death. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
When Thanksgiving comes around we think of family, plenty of good food, laughter, and good times. I challenge you to love your entire family, yes even the most stubborn and ignorant, share life, and share the hope that you have. But my greatest challenge I have for you this week and frankly for the rest of your life is to impact your community with the love of Jesus. Volunteer, pass out food to the homeless around your city, whatever you do, change lives, show love because you were first loved. “We love Him because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).
You can say anything you want, put if your actions don’t reflect it, what good are your words? Out of love do something. “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.” (1 John 3: 16-19)
Here are some scriptures to encourage you in your walk with Christ, especially for the special occasion of Thanksgiving.
“Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our Salvation. Let us come before His presence with Thanksgiving; let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the Lord is the great God, and the great King above all gods.” (Psalm 95:1-3)
“Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations” (Psalm 100: 1-5)
“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17)
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5”16-22)
God Bless you all! 🙂
