11/26/2020
Today is Thanksgiving Day in the United States, and it is a day when we join together across the nation to thank God for all of His many blessings during the past year. For some of us this has been a particularly hard year. We have lost loved ones to COVID-19, and had our families divided by contentious politics, but neither of these hardships, nor our other challenges, have been too great for God to overcome. So put away your mourning, broken hearts, and bitterness, as we thank God for the blessings we have received this year instead... even if you live elsewhere around the world, use this opportunity to thank God, and praise Jesus today for the many blessings in your life.
“give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV
During the first Thanksgiving Day the pilgrims were thanking God for the blessings He had poured out on them during a very tough year, so likewise, let’s praise, and thank Him, for the good, and the bad times we have faced during this unusual year we have encountered. Despite the stresses we have endured, He has seen us through each of them... Thanks, and Praise, be to God, and His Son Jesus Christ, for all their many blessings, like the love, Provision, Healing, Defense, Grace, and Salvation we have been blessed with.
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
Philippians 4:4-6 ESV
Everyday is Thanksgiving Day wherever you are, and in whatever circumstance you find yourself. Are you focusing on the blessings you are receiving, or has the world beat you down and robbed you of the joy that God intends for you to experience? Do not let Satan exert his power over you, and suck you into the troubled nature of the world... take heart in the Lord, and find peace in Jesus. Lean on them as they bless you in the good and bad times alike, and let their blessings lift you above whatever comes against you.
“They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the Lord, to deliver you.””
Jeremiah 1:19 ESV
So today let’s thank God for His many blessings, and His joy which reigns over every aspect of our lives. Let’s snatch control from the hands of Satan as he seeks to devastate us with pandemics, politics, death, and the lies of his minions as they attempt to separate us from our Heavenly Father, and His Son Jesus Christ. Are you thanking God now? Are you searching for Him in the midst of every storm, and receiving His blessings you find there through His grace?
“For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.”
John 1:16 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your many blessings, and for the grace by which we receive them. Thank you Lord for overcoming the storms, and darkness of the world, as Satan attempts to use suffering to separate us from you. We thank you for blessing us in every circumstance, and for every good thing that we find awaits us in your presence. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who stands amidst the storms, and silences the winds of sin, and adversity. Praised be your name for every good thing that you offer us from the palm of your hand. You pluck goodness from raging seas, and give us peace and joy where once there was only turmoil. Hear our prayers as we lift our voices to you, and thank you in all things. Forgive us Father when our thanksgiving is swallowed by the turmoil in our lives, and open our eyes to you once more. Cover us, and wash us clean with the blood of Jesus, and give us a place at your table forevermore.
“Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.”
3 John 1:2 ESV
Rich Forbes