Thanksgiving with a Thankful Heart
I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.
Psalm 86:12
Today is Thanksgiving, and it is a special day to give thanks to God for his blessings. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17) Our flesh normally takes things for granted, but our spiritual hearts can always be thankful because we know every good and perfect gift in our life comes from God. If we have a thankful heart, it can bring us joy, satisfaction, contentment, and security.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) We can always be thankful for the perfect love that the Father and Son has for each of us; that the Father would sacrifice his Son for our sins. We have eternal life through Christ causing our hearts to be filled with eternal thankfulness. Today, be mindful of eternal life through Christ. There is no greater gift!
The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. (Isaiah 58:11) We are not only thankful for our eternal life, but we are thankful that the Lord fills us with his Spirit and guides us through life. His power works in us, we will never be tempted beyond what we bear (1 Corinthians 10:13), and we have his power over Satan. (1 John 4:4). Most of all, he changes us to the mind and heart of Jesus and fills our hearts with His love. The love in our hearts motivates us to serve the Lord and reflect Jesus to the world. Christ changes us to have life to full (John 10:10), His love and power sets us free in Christ (Galatians 5:1), and He enables us to overcome the world. (1 John 5:4)
Everything we are thankful for this Thanksgiving comes from God. He sustains our life and fills our hearts with everlasting love, peace, and joy. His love takes away our fear (1 John 4:18), and we live with our confidence and security in Christ.
Have a thankful heart this Thanksgiving, and hopefully, you can spend it with family, in person or by video. It is a time to show love to God and to family.
Prayer: Lord, I thank you for all your blessings. I pray for a thankful, enjoyable Thanksgiving reflecting your love to family. In Jesus’ name, Amen