Give thanks to the Lord; call on his name; proclaim his deeds among the peoples. 1 Chronicles 16:8 CSB

Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; proclaim his deeds among the peoples. Psalms 105:1 CSB

In the Bible, “thanks” and “thanksgiving” are used over 70 times. And the Greek word for “grateful” is used about 150 times. It makes us think that being thankful, giving thanks, and being grateful are important to God.

It is hard to complain when you are thanking God for all of your blessings. As we list more and more things we are thankful for, the complaints seem to be fewer and fewer. This week we celebrate our American holiday of Thanksgiving. Happy Thanksgiving! The holiday began as the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Native American tribe shared a three day harvest feast. The Pilgrims thanked God for the plentiful harvest and the peace with their neighbors.

Each year, the fourth Thursday of November is our Thanksgiving celebration. We prepare some of the traditional foods from the first Thanksgiving, like turkey and yams (sweet potatoes). But it is mainly a time to be with our families and thank God for all the blessings in our lives. We thank God for all the good He works in our lives, for his faithful love, and for His mercy and grace.

But we are not only thankful on Thanksgiving. We are to give thanks to our God in everything, always. Give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 CSB Sometimes we may have to look for God’s blessings in the midst of the tough times, the troubles we are promised in this life.

 I thank God for my family, my kids, my gifts, my home, my friends, and my life. But I also thank God for the waiting times that force me to depend on Him more. I thank God for the illnesses that allow my weaknesses to be strengthened through Him. I thank God for His presence when I feel alone and unworthy. I thank God for each new day He gives me. I thank God for the beauty I see in creation, the kindness I see in people, the love shared by the church, and the salvation offered to a broken world.

This week, and every day, let us give thanks to the Lord, call on His mighty name, and proclaim His deeds among the peoples. Let’s praise and thank our Lord, always.

I thank God for each of you! And I thank you for joining me this week as we give thanks to our Lord, always.

Blessings and a Happy Thanksgiving everyday!