Happy Thanksgiving! Isn’t this day so awesome? An entire TWENTY-FOUR hours dedicated to gratitude. This is so pleasing to the LORD! Do you know that this is His will for us?! To give thanks and rejoice?! (1 Thess. 5:18)
I can’t help but think how full the Father’s heart is today. All of His people slowing down to recognize the GREAT things He has done. To gather and break bread in fellowship. Think about all of the families who will gather and hold hands around tables today, bowing their heads in recognition of the One who provides all things…
Jehovah-Jireh. The God Who Provides
Today the I am bringing Mamaw over for a Thanksgiving meal. Just her. Usually we eat with my dad and his side of the family, but we are postponing that until Sunday. So today is simple. My boys. My husband. And my 91-year-old Grandmother.
Priceless.
And a few things we are doing during lunch that I thought I’d share. This morning as I read through God’s Word, I notice that “Give Thanks” is printed 62 times in the ESV.
That is a lot of thanks giving.
At our meal, I will pick six verses and write them out on little cardstock. We will each read a verse during lunch and share a few specific things we are thankful for from this past year.
(Note: A really good blogger would have a crafty picture right here showing verses on Autumn card stock all tied with burlap ribbon. Oh well. Let’s pretend.)
Still, I wanted to share the Scriptures in case you want to use them somehow in your own traditions! Here they are…
1 I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise;
2 I bow down toward your holy temple
and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,
for you have exalted above all things
your name and your word.
3 On the day I called, you answered me;
my strength of soul you increased.
4 All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O Lord
for they have heard the words of your mouth,
5 and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord,
for great is the glory of the Lord.
6 For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly,
but the haughty he knows from afar. Psalm 138: 1-6
[At this we would recount specific things we have asked of the Lord and how he has delivered this past year.]
16 Rejoice always,17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
[After this verse we will discuss how it is God’s will for us to be thankful! My fav.]
1 I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart;
I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.
2 I will be glad and exult in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
11 Sing praises to the Lord, who sits enthroned in Zion!
Tell among the peoples his deeds! Psalm 9:1,2,11
[Oh yes, we will sing after this one. #weirdfamily]
My heart is steadfast, O God!
I will sing and make melody with all my being!
2 Awake, O harp and lyre!
I will awake the dawn!
3 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to you among the nations.
4 For your steadfast love is great above the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Psalm 108:1-4
[At this we will give thanks for Aldi, our sweet Compassion boy we support in Indonesia. God’s faithfulness reaches all the way over there! To every nation!}
1 Oh come, let us sing to the Lord;
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
2 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
3 For the Lord is a great God,
and a great King above all gods.
6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!
7 For he is our God,
and we are the people of his pasture,
and the sheep of his hand. Psalm 95:1-3,6-7
[At this we will mention how giving thanks unto God ushers us into HIS PRESENCE!]
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7
[And finally, make mention here that recalling God’s faithfulness by giving thanks brings the peace that far surpasses all human understanding. God is good. All the time. Recalling this brings great PEACE.]
What are some sweet traditions you have on Thanksgiving? Do share! I am an unashamed Copy Cat.
Have a sweet day in the Lord today. Enjoy His Presence as you enter into His gates with THANKSGIVING.
Have a LOVE FEAST today with your people. 😉
Love to you ALL!
Becky Crenshaw 