Thanksgiving for Past and Blessing for the Future

 With the wonderful things we have seen happen in the past year, we should be especially thankful this year.  Even more so than last year after the good election news that reminded us God has not forgotten America.  Revival is breaking out in many places, even some surprising ones.  Bible sales and church attendance are growing.  This year, we can loudly and proudly say the family's traditional Thanksgiving prayer before dinner or we can go directly to quoting or paraphrasing scripture. Let us remember God's grace to us and give thanks for the blessings of the last year but for speak blessings for future years too. 

Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, 

because of your love and faithfulness. 

[Our God,] He will bless those who fear the Lord— small and great alike. 

May the Lord cause you to flourish, both you and your children. 

May you be blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. 

The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth He has given to mankind. 

- Psalm115:1 & 13-16 (NIV)

Also, remember to invite someone to church who is not currently going anywhere.   Many people will attend a Christmas service if someone would just ask.  For someone who does not know Christ or has just become a Christian, consider gifting them a Bible they can read to learn more about His teachings.  For  other Christians, consider giving them a Bible study or devotional book for their continued spiritual journey.

Counting My Blessings - Song of Thanksgiving

The "Counting My Blessings" song below by Christian singer Seph Schlueter is a good way to remind ourselves that God is wonderful and all blessings come from Him.  He loves us and gives us more blessings  than we can count.  He blesses us even when we do not realize it.  He gives us more than we know.       

"You will be blessed when you come in 
and blessed when you go out." - Deuteronomy 28:6 (NIV)

I think it would be a great song for us to listen to during Thanksgiving gathering or anytime we need to remind ourselves who God is and what He gives to us. Besides listening to "blessings" and "thanks" music (like "Thank You Lord" too) , we need to remember to say a prayer of grace before our meal.  If a personal or group activity is desired to help focus on blessings,  consider doing an activity to create a blessing tree.  

Got Worries? Give Them to God

As Christians, why do we have worries?  What do we have to feel anxious about?  How can we get past our concerns?  

"If you will humble yourselves 
under the mighty hand of God, 
in his good time he will lift you up. 
Let him have all your worries and cares, 
for he is always thinking about you 
and watching everything that concerns you."
 - 1 Peter 5:6-7 (TLB)

We have to remember that God is in charge of our lives.  He has plans for  each of us.  When we go outside of His plan and try to do things on our own or rely on others instead of God, things can and will go awry. When this happens, we must turn back to God and trust Him for aid and direction.  We do this through prayer to God and gratitude for all He has done for us and will do for us.  We are His children, so He always wants what is best for us.  

An Attitude of Gratitude in Thanksgiving Blessing

Does your family have a specific prayer they pray over the Thanksgiving or holiday meals? Some say the Lord's prayer, others a traditonal blessing, while a few have a favorite family or religious recitation.  Many go even further by going around the table and  having everyone present take turns saying something they are grateful for in the current year (aka grateful round).

When I was a child, my grandmother prayed over most of our family gatherings.  I noticed when she would ask other relatives to pray, they often did a very similar prayer.  I guess that came form hearing her so often.  Even decades later, when the 4th generation offers up a prayer, although their words may be different, they end theirs much in the same way my grandmother did.  I am not so sure the exact praying words are as important as the attitude of gratitude sent towards God.  

With all that has happened in the past two years, we should reflect on the many blessings we still have over the holidays.  If you do not have a memorized  prayer or prefer to do a reading to express your gratitude, you might consider reading or reciting Psalm 100 (inset is ESV).  It is only 5 verses long, yet the words truly indicate a grateful heart.  This can done instead of a prayer, before the blessing, or following the "grateful round."

January Daily Devotionals: God Blesses You

Many people think of blessings as material things like a large house, new car, fancy clothes, promotion/high-paying job, big savings account, high credit limit, or other monetary wealth.  While others may see blessings as more physical things like personal health or comfort,  winning at sports, or participating in organizations.  Then there are the emotional blessings brought through a loving family, charity work, good friendships, getting a degree or an enriching career.  If you  have any of those are blessings, you should be thankful for them.  God wants to bless you spiritually through a joy-filled relationship with Him, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.  It is ok to pray for your emotional, financial, mental, and  physical need,s as God says you are to ask for these things according to His will and you must use them with His guidance.  For your own spiritual growth, spiritual blessings is what you should be praying for.  

Please read the scriptures below so you may recognize that God not only meets your needs but blesses you with more than material things.  Review your blessings (including religious freedom, the Holy Bible, and local Church), acknowledge from God they came, and thank Him.

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January References for Daily Devotionals 

Date Scripture Date Scripture 1 Numbers 6:24-25 16 Psalm 68:19  2 Deuteronomy 1:11 17 Psalm 89:2 3 Matthew 6:31-34 18 2 Corinthians 9:8 4 Deuteronomy 28:12 19 Psalms 145:16  5 Deuteronomy 30:9 20 Proverbs 3:5-6 6 Matthew 11:28-30 21 Philippians 4:12-13 7 Psalm 1:1-3 22 Proverbs 3:9-10 8 Psalm 36:8 23 Isaiah 41:10 9 Luke 1:37 24 Philippians 4:19 10 Psalm 65:9 25 Isaiah 58:11 11 Psalm 65:11-12 26 Jeremiah 17:7-8 12 John 1:16 27 1 Timothy 6:18-19 13 Psalm 66:8-12 28 Jeremiah 29:11 14 Psalm 67:7 29 Jeremiah 31:14 15 Romans 8:32 30 2 Peter 1:10-11 31 Malachi 3:10

Remembering Christ's Sacrifice with Communion

In Matthew 25:26-29, we see the first communion at the Lord's Last Supper during Passover before Christ's crucifixion.   Not only does he offer the communion ceremony, but he promises we will repeat the process in person with Him later on.

"For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, 

ye do shew the Lord's death till he come." - 1 Corinthians 11:26 (KJV)

Communion is not to be taken lightly.  It is meant to remind us of the sacrifice Jesus Christ made for our salvation.  The taking of bread (body) and wine (blood) are more than symbols to Christians.  It is a time to reflect on what Christ did, ask forgiveness of past sins, accept Jesus into our current hearts, and follow Him in the future so that we may have eternal life with the Father i Heaven.

Want Deliverance? Cry out to God

The Christian inspiration for many contemporary songs and old hymns that include the phrase "Let the Redeemed of the Lord Say So" probably came from verse 2 of  Psalm 107. This is understandable as the book of Psalms is primarily songs or poems written by King David and other Hebrew writers.  In Psalm 107, multiple times God delivers His people out of all kinds of troubles they get themselves into.  All they have to do is call out to their God and He does save them.

"Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, 

and he delivered them out of their distresses." - Psalm 107:6, 13, 19, 24 

Just as God's people in the past were not perfect and sometimes forgot to offer praise to the God who always delivers them, Christians today can get wrapped up in earthly life.  Even the best Christians sometimes get stressed and then forget where their blessings and joy comes from.  Cry out to God when you have problems and He will be there to help.  Another theme from Psalm 107 is that you should be thankful to your good God and remember to praise Him in all things and at all times.

"Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, 

and for his wonderful works to the children of men!" - Psalms 107:8, 15, 21, 31

Always remember when you need deliverance from your problems or worries? Cry out to God!

Thank You Lord

The below 7 minute video is Don Moen singing "Thank You Lord."  This song accompanies the  devotional scriptures of Thank and Praise God.   You may find Don Moen's music CD on Amazon #ad with the 5 minute song, if you want to purchase it to sing along with as your personal display of gratitude to God.

"I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving." 

- Psalm 69:30 (KJV) 

November Daily Devotionals: Thank and Praise God

With everyone hurrying around during the holidays with planning the perfect meal, cleaning house, watching parades or sports, and various family or social gatherings - does the real Thanksgiving  get lost in the rush?  Too many homes have replaced the giving of thanks in prayer to God with a round table of “I am thankful for…” with each taking a turn.  The history of Thanksgiving holiday started as a way to stop, remember where our blessings come from, praise God for them, help others, and also share time with family, friends, and neighbors.  The social aspect was last and God was first.  Do you stop and let God know you are thankful and that you are awed by the blessings he has given you?  Do you say a personal thanksgiving prayer, select a thoughtful prayer, or read aloud a selection of relevant scriptures as part of your Thanksgiving celebration?

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Please read the scriptures below and think about how they may apply to your own blessings, so you may appropriately give thanks to God, and praise God for all He has done for you and yours. 

November References for Daily Devotionals
Please note: Links below take you to another site to view the scriptures references.  If you are using a print Bible or a preferred Bible App, you should skip clinking on the links in the devotional table. 

Date	Scripture	Date	Scripture
1	1 Corinthians 1:4-7	16	Psalm 105:1-3
2	1 Corinthians 15:57	17	Psalm 106:1-5
3	1 Chronicles 16:8	18	Colossians 3:15-17
4	1 Chronicles 29:11-13	19	Colossians 4:2
5	2 Corinthians 1:3-4	20	Psalm 107:8-9
6	2 Corinthians 2:14	21	Psalm 116:12-13
7	Nehemiah 9:6	22	1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
8	2 Corinthians 4:15-16	23	Psalm 150:1-6
9	2 Corinthians 9:10-15	24	1 Timothy 2:1-4
10	Psalm 34:1-4	25	1 Timothy 4:4-5
11	Psalm 50:14-15	26	Isaiah 63:7
12	Ephesians 5:18-20	27	Hebrews 12:28-29
13	Psalm 100:1-5	28	Hebrews 13:15
14	Psalm 103:1-5	29	Jeremiah 30:19
15	Philippians 4:6-7	30	James 1:17