As the end of the year draws nigh and as we quickly approach the festive season of Christmas, it is only relevant that I speak about Thanksgiving. Although in countries like the United States, Thanksgiving is celebrated on a particular day, I am reminded that as believers our lives ought to emulate and encapsulate an attitude of thanks and praise daily.
Psalm 9:1 I will give thanks to you Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
I firmly believe that through the good times and the bad times we must give thanks to God, for it is He that causes us to triumph in His name. His promise to you is not to hoard the blessings, but He is saying to you in this season, no good thing will I (God) withhold.
Many of you may not know, but I hail from the beautiful twin island of The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. And only in recent years has our culture began to experience what I would call a shift or enhancement. Many families have joined in the celebration of Thanksgiving, solely due to the commercialization of Thanksgiving, through various media.
Choosing Where We Focus
I want to challenge people this thanksgiving, to focus on He who has given us tremendous reason to be grateful. So while you prepare for the festivities of all that November through to December will bring. I want to charge you, let us all consciously and intentionally make every effort to celebrate with our friends and loved ones keeping the focus on Jesus.
Colossians 3:16-17 : Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
I have learned that thanks and praise go hand in hand. So while you are giving thanks for what is, I am sure each person reading this is in need of something. Maybe you need a financial miracle, perhaps you may be having marital issues, or even you are on the hunt for a job. Whatever it is I say to you that the atmosphere and climate are just right for a miracle. I believe that God is going to meet you at your point of need this season. Change is about to hit you, and the blessing that you are about to experience, your storehouses will be unable contain.
So, whatever you do, or however you feel, or whichever circumstance may come your way, Praise Him!
Essential Elements
This Thanksgiving I challenge you, add prayer and praise to your list of things to do. Even as you share a thanksgiving meal with your loved ones, remember the reason for this season. Nourish yourselves spiritually, spend some time in prayer and praise.
I believe that this thanksgiving can be the best you ever had. Put Jesus at the center of it all.
Psalm 95:2-3 “Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods.”
Prayer: Dear Jesus, I am forever grateful for all the blessings you have bestowed on me and my loved ones. Continue to keep us in your grace each day. I pray that my days shall be blessed and that just as you have blessed me, you will use me to bless those around me. Intensify my desire and passion for your word, make me a beacon of hope and your love. Thank you, Lord. In Jesus name. Amen!
