I can never forget the song, "Give Thanks With A Grateful Heart" Although I heard this song many years ago, it is still one of my favorites. One of the themes in the Bible is Thanksgiving. I am reminded of Jesus praying in John 6 where Jesus is feeding the multitude with only 5 loaves and 2 fish. The scripture here tells us that Jesus gave thanks to God the Father. We are called to follow this example. We should stop in the middle of all the things that keep us so busy and say "thank you Lord." We should be thankful for all the things the Lord has done for us in the past. If you are a Christian then God has done something for you. Many times I rewind in my mind and thank the Lord for the times when He touched me, ministered to me through His Word and supplied all of our needs. The Lord has met me so many times in very important decisions in my life and I am so very grateful! We should have the presence of mind to stop and give God thanks for all that He has done for us. Having given thanks for what He has done we should be thankful for what God is doing in our lives and for what He will do in our lives. He holds you and His plans for you in the palm of His hands. You may not realize it right now but God is working on your behalf. God is working to fulfill His covenant with you because that is the nature of our Father God. God will not violate or alter His covenant towards you (Psalms 89:34). As you go about on your daily activities Father God is at work to will and do of His good pleasure and to complete that which He has started in your life (Philippians 1:6). Thank Him for His goodness, His kindness, and His faithfulness. I am not thankful for sickness, for poverty, or destruction, but I am thankful that in the midst of all the bad He is at work to to bring victory into your life. A heart of thanksgiving acknowledges the favor of God and the gifts that He has given to us. "Faithful is He who has called you and will also bring it to pass." (I Thessalonians 5:24). Psalms 5;11 says, "But let all who take refuge in You be glad, Let them sing for joy; And may you shelter them." Lord we thank you, for sending Jesus for our redemption, we thank you for the precious blood of Jesus which purchased our salvation. Lord we thank you for your steadfast love towards us and your favor that surrounds us!
