I love fall and the month of November. One reason is because it is a wonderful reminder of the importance of giving thanks. But the Bible doesn't just command us to give thanks for our blessings, it also commands us to give thanks for our trials. It's totally off kilter from the society we live in.
That kind of thanksgiving requires Jesus.
The Mighty One, God, the LORD,
speaks and summons the earth
from the rising of the sun to the
place where it sets.
From Zion, perfect in beauty,
God shines forth...
Sacrifice thank offerings to God,
fulfill your vows to the Most High,
and call upon me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you will honor me.
He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me,
and he prepares the way
so that I may show him the salvation of God.
Psalm 50:1-2, 14-15
I hope you will really meditate on these verses. It is so easy to develop an ungrateful attitude.It may be we don't even realize we have one. Giving thanks is usually easy when the going is smooth, but when the going gets tough. We need to practice the sacrificial thank offerings. That may include giving thanks when we don't feel like it, or when it seems there isn't much to be thankful for.
****GIVEAWAY****
I would love to use this month of November to practice thanks-living, not just thanksgiving. If you can, stop by the blog occasionally and leave a comment of something you are grateful for. Or if I am not posting that day feel free to leave it on the Facebook page or Google+At the end of the month, I will select a winner for a small gift. It may be a book, or I'm a pretty crafty person, so maybe I will come up with something else. You can keep it, or give it to someone for Christmas. This is a way to show my appreciation for YOU my readers!
Each comment on each day will receive an entry! The more days you comment, the more entries you get.
Must be 18 or older to enter. U.S. only! This giveaway is not associated with any social media network.
This is a great idea! It is sometimes hard to remember to thank God in our trials. After the things I have went through this year I can see how Jesus was with me and be thankful for them. I can also see how He used my trials for his glory. Today I'm thankful for good friends like you! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I am thankful for friends like you!! I think the most difficult challenge for me is thanking God in my trials. The interesting thing was, this week, when God gave me this Psalm, it was my most trying day! It was awesome at the end of the day to look back and reflect on how He already knew in advance that I would need sacrificial thank offerings that day, and Him to be my deliverer.
DeleteI am Thankful for My Loving Family and Friends.
ReplyDeleteThank you Dawn, for sharing.
DeleteWe should be a thankful people every day of the year, but I do love November's "upward" focus. The lovely picture you posted reminds me to be thankful for the animal world God created, and especially the kitties in my life. After my Ebony was killed by a coyote last month, we adopted two black kitties from a local rescue shelter and they are a joy.
ReplyDeleteI'm thankful for fall weather.
ReplyDeletebethanyhb at ou dot edu
I am thankful for music that helps me relax and focus on the blessings from God. I am already playing Christmas music and I love the sounds. :-)
ReplyDeleteYes,we are discussing gratitude in my home this month and will continue doing so throughout the year. I am thankful for God's mercy, forgiveness, protection, and love. As my daughter and I start our life over, we continue to put our faith in our Almighty Father and appreciate the blessings God has provided us with during difficult circumstances. He provided us with food on the table and a place to call home. I am thankful that my daughter's love for God also continues to grow.
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by! It is so important to live and practice gratitude with our children. So glad to hear you are doing so not just this month but year round. That is thanks-living!! Thank you for sharing your blessings.
DeleteI am thankful for the Christmas season with my family and a time to relax
ReplyDelete