Here are 4 blessings you can thank God for each and every day:
1. Thank God for the Material Blessings That He Gives You
We seem never be satisfied with what we have—rich or poor, healthy or sick. But what a difference it makes when we realize that everything we have has been given to us by God! King David prayed, “Wealth and honor come from you … We give you thanks, and praise your glorious name … Everything comes from you” 1 Chronicles 29:12-14 Paul declared, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want” Philippians 4:12. A spirit of thankfulness makes all the difference. Are you constantly preoccupied with what you do not have? Or have you learned to thank God for what you do have?
2. Thank God for the People in Your Life
It is so easy to take people for granted, or even to complain and become angry because they do not meet our expectations, needs and wishes. But we need to give thanks for those around us—our spouses, our children, our relatives, our friends and others who help us in some way. How many marriages and other relationships grow cold and eventually are shattered because of the sin of ingratitude? Do you let others know that you appreciate them and are thankful for them? The Christians in Corinth were far from perfect, but Paul began his first letter to them by saying, “I always thank God for you” 1 Corinthians 1:4. When a group of believers (whom Paul had never met) came out to greet him as he approached Rome, we read that “at the sight of these men Paul thanked God and was encouraged” Acts 28:15 Thank God for those who touch your life.
3. Thank God in the Midst of Trials and Even Persecution
We draw back from difficulties, yet not one of us is exempt from some kind of trouble. In many parts of the world it is dangerous even to be a Christian because of persecution. And yet in the midst of those trials we can thank God, because we know that He has promised to be with us and that He will help us. We know that He can use times of suffering to draw us closer to Himself: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance” James 1:2-3When the prophet Daniel learned that evil men were plotting against him to destroy him, “he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before” Daniel 6:10
The Bible commands, “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” 1 Thessalonians 5:18. Paul declared, “You will even be able to thank God in the midst of pain and distress because you are privileged to share the lot of those who are living in the light” Colossians 1:12
I don’t know what trials you may be facing right now, but God does, and He loves you and is with you by the power of His Holy Spirit. Cultivate a spirit of thankfulness even in the midst of trials and heartaches. “God has given us the greatest Gift of all—His Son, who died on the cross and rose again so that we can know Him personally and spend eternity with Him in heaven.”
4. Thank God Especially for His Salvation in Jesus Christ
God has given us the greatest Gift of all—His Son, who died on the cross and rose again so that we can know Him personally and spend eternity with Him in heaven: “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:15
The Bible tells us that we are separated from God because we have sinned. But God loves us—He loves you, He loves me—and He wants us to be part of His family forever. He loves us so much that He sent His only Son into the world to die as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. All we need to do is reach out in faith and accept Christ as our Savior and Lord: “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” (John 3:16). Have you opened your heart to Jesus Christ? If not, turn to Him with a simple prayer of repentance and faith, and thank Him for what He has done for you. And if you do know Christ, how long has it been since you thanked God for your salvation? We should not let a day go by without thanking God for His mercy and His grace to us in Jesus Christ. In many countries a special day is set aside each year for thanksgiving.
But for the Christian every day is should be a day of thanksgiving, as we are always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ Ephesians 5:20.
I hope you and the people you are going to spend Thanksgiving with are going to be blessed and thankful.
Carolynn and I are very thankful for each of you because of your great love for the Lord, your love and support of us, and the ministry of Encounter.
Thankful and Blessed
Bill Rieser
Encounter Pastor