Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Thanks Living




Of all the holidays we celebrate in our nation, I would have to say that Thanksgiving is probably my favorite. Sure, I love the food, and all those scrumptious desserts, in fact, I can feel the calories adding up even as I type this update. However, what I enjoy most is the special time I get to spend with our family, and of course capturing all those "Kodak" moments!

Above all, Thanksgiving is really a day to remember all the wonderful things God has done for us throughout the year. In the book of Psalms we are given a special promise that comes to those who offer up thanksgiving to God. Many times it is difficult to feel thankful when we are going through difficult times, but it opens the way for God's blessings to flow into our lives.

Psalm 50:23 "He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God." (NIV)

For me personally, when I keep an attitude of thanksgiving, it truly changes things around and my load seems so much lighter.

I love the first line of this quote, "Thanksgiving begins with Thanks Living". Oh, to have a grateful heart each and every day. It is not hard when we stop and think about the many things we have to give thanks for, and to know how awesome and great our God truly is.

In closing today, I'd like to reflect on the greatness and goodness of God by sharing some wonderful scriptures that I read in a recent devotional.


As we consider WHO JESUS IS...let us offer up to God Thanksgiving and Praise!

"He is All-Present." Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there." (Psalms 139:7-8 )




"He is All powerful." I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. (Job 42:2 ) "I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me? (Jeremiah 32:27 ) "For nothing is impossible with God." (Luke 1:37 )




"He is All-Knowing." O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD." (NIV) Psalm 139:1"Lord, you know every one's heart." (NIV) Acts 1:24




"He is Stable and Unchanging.". . .the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations." (NIV) Psalm 33:11




"He is Eternal." I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." (Revelation 1:8 )




"He is Incomprehensible." Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance? 13 Who has understood the mind of the LORD, or instructed him as his counselor? 14 Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge or showed him the path of understanding?" (NIV) Isa 40:12"To whom, then, will you compare God? What image will you compare him to?" (NIV) Isa 40:18




"He is Merciful." But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved." (Ephesians 2:4 NIV)




"He is Compassionate." Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort." (2 Corinthians 1:3 NIV)




"He is Good." Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." (NIV) 1 Chronicles 16:34


Oh Lord, how can we ever thank you enough for all that you have done for us? Your faithfulness and great love endures forever. Thank you for watching over us, for your mercy, great compassion, and your love that sustains us daily. Father, I lift all those who will have that empty seat at their Thanksgiving table this year. Comfort them and remind them of your promise that one day we will be together again. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.




Please join us over at Chocolate and Coffee today as others give thanks to you.

20 comments:

Patricia said...

What reassurance you have given us today! The verses are our reasons for rejoicing and living in thankfulness daily.

Thanks for sharing today. Happy Tuesday!

Denise said...

Bless you sweetie for sharing such lovely scriptures.

luvmy4sons said...

Amen. It is a good idea to think on WHO God is at Thanksgiving. Great stuff. Blessings to you and yours this holiday.

More Than Words said...

That was as awesome post! It spoke volumes to me!! Thank you for sharing what was on your heart. I know that it will bless everyone who reads it!!!

Laurie Ann said...

Precious, precious post, Susan! So beautifully written, as always. We are truly blessed, aren't we? To live that life of gratitude is something that we should all purpose to do!

Faith said...

I'm glad I stopped here today!
A wonderful post and so timely...thank you for sharing what the Lord has put on your heart. Happy Thanksgiving to you!

Unknown said...

I love your Scriptures and the way you have given us much to reflect on and remember and we thank the Lord this year. You are a treasure and one I count as a good friend.

Love to you. Blessings.

Sheryl said...

Susan,

Thought of you and figured you are probably already connected with Tammy. But, if not...would you take a minute and go over and encourage her today. Her son seems to be losing his battle with cancer.
http://tammynischan.blogspot.com/

Thank you!!
~Sheryl

Esthermay Bentley-Goossen said...

Now. . . when you say, "in closing," and the remainder of the the post is longer than the portion leading up to that . . .
AND the "in closing" is simply a listing of the attributes of JESUS!
...I'm reading between the lines here...
:-)
We have enought to be thankful for FOREVER!
Wonderful Post! Jesus is all we need -- all our family needs -- all the world needs. We just need to realize that and the THANKFULNESS will come!

Amydeanne said...

Happy Thanksgiving! :)

Unknown said...

Tanks for bringing together so many great verses around this topic. Thanks also for joining IOW this week, I'm enjoying your blog!

AVA

Anonymous said...

Wow...what an awesome devotion! I loved reading those scriptures...promises of who our God is. I needed that reminder b/c dwelling on who He really is and how much He really knows us brings so much comfort.

I had a blast today. You sure can hang! Well, I have a feeling that when the girls are out of strollers, you'll still be hanging in the malls with us. (We may just have to be pushing you in a wheelchair.) I used to always tell my Grams, "It's my turn now." These girls better pay you back one day for all of the holdings and stroller pushings! =)

Love ya, Kristin

Anonymous said...

Such wonderful words of encouragement and reminders. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday too - and something we should celebrate year round!

God's Girl said...

Now those are things to be truly thankful for. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful post!

Daphine said...

Beautiful post! Thanks for the inspiration today!

Jennifer said...

Yes, such reminders of who our GOD really is! Hope your Thanksgiving is wonderful.

Mimi said...

Beautiful Thanksgiving post....
Thank you,

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing this beautiful post! So many reasons to be grateful for!

Tricia said...

This was a wonderful post, and the words brought peace and comfort to my heart. It is true that even through the hard and tough times we need to give thanks, and just doing that lifts some of the burden off of our shoulders.

This holiday season is tough for me, I have a loved one who is going down a path of sin yet thinking it is God's will for her life, and we have lost a cousin who was very dear to us... this will be our 1st holiday since these events, and it has been hard so far.

But today I spent some lengthy time in prayer, in His Word, and crying... then went for a nice run, and the despair has lifted and I am looking forward to tomorrow. I still have lots to be thankful for, and I am praising God for what He is going to do through all of these hard circumstances.

Thanks for your visit today, and for the words of encouragement in your post.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Blessings!

God Chaser said...

Love reading this thanks for shring. Great thanks to God.