Thanksgiving!

 ~Thanksgiving~

I just love this season. Thanksgiving is my favourite holiday, for many reasons. It reminds me to turn to Jesus and thank Him over and over for the manifold blessings He has given me. November is a beautiful and uncertain time of year in Idaho; we could have sunny warmish days, freezing days, snow days, or a gentle descent into winter with the colourful leaves of October slowly dropping from the trees. We never really know what each day will hold. :) 
 
 

It is a time of year that urges us to celebrate family, all that we have been given, and the beauty of gratitude. These are a few of the reasons I love this time of year. 

I have been convicted this year of the discipline and sacrifice of thanksgiving in my life; or lack thereof. I recently reread Colossians, and in that book alone I have found six different admonitions to give thanks. 

"We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you... Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light... Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving... And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful... And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him... Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving."

 Colossians 1:3,12; 2:7; 3:15,17; 4:2 

I get caught up every year in giving thanks during this season, but do I give thanks, show gratitude, and worship in thanksgiving every day of the year? Unfortunately, no. I believe this needs to change. I want to live each day in an attitude of worship and thankfulness to my gracious Saviour. He deserves our every thanks, every recognition, every praise. Notice also that Paul couples giving thanks to prayer. Prayer is our vehicle in which we give thanks to God. So let us give thanks... for His patience and grace to grow us up in His Spirit. Oh, what a joy it is to serve the Lord Jesus Christ! 

"Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 

1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18

 P.S. This is not a complete look at giving thanks, just my thoughts after reading Colossians, and praying over this matter. I greatly encourage you to study this concept in depth and cultivate and attitude of thanksgiving in your own life. May He have all glory! 

P.P.S. Also! An update from Reach Global in the Philippines! Click Here.

 Happy Thanksgiving!!!!! :)