Thankfulness

I remember when I was a little girl, we used to make “Thanksgiving Books” around this time of year. They weren't anything fancy, just a little reminded to count our blessings. Over the years that tradition faded away, but I thought about it this week. I'm not going to bother with the actual physical book, but I think it would be good to take a few minutes to reflect on a few of the many blessings God has bestowed on us.

• A Relationship With God - The greatest blessing God ever gave us was Himself. What an amazing God we serve! I can't even begin to express how thankful I am for who He is. He is so great! He created a beautiful world, and allows us to live in it! He has given us so many blessings, including coming to earth, living and dying for us! To think that God Almighty would be willing to have a relationship with me. It's truly amazing. Thank You, Lord!

• A Family in Christ - I honestly don't know what I'd do without my brothers and sisters in Christ. God is so good to give us fellowship with other believers! I'm just so thankful for my family in Christ. It is such an encouragement to be able to fellowship together with other believers. To have people who will encourage you in your walk with God, and to be able to minister to others and watch God work in their lives. Thank You, Father! You are so good!

• Family - I've been blessed with two godly parents who have raised me to love and worship God. That is indeed a wonderful blessing. In spite of the hard time we love to give one another, I really do love my brother also. Thank You, Lord, for providing me with such a wonderful family!

• Friends - I'm so thankful for the friends God has given me. I've been blessed with friends who will love me no matter what. I'm far from perfect, but they put up with me and love me anyway. They encourage me, build me up in Christ, and slap some sense into me when I quit thinking straight. I don't know what I'd do without them. You are so good, Father! Thank You!

• Our Troops- I am privileged to live in the greatest country in the world! While we all sit around the table enjoying our Thanksgiving meal, there are thousands of soldiers who are separated from their loved ones today. They are out there protecting our country and its freedom. I'm so thankful for these brave, selfless men and women. But the Bible reminds us, that no matter how much preparation is made for battle, safety is from the Lord. God is the one who truly protects us and our country. Thank You, God!

• Home - So many people all over the world don't have a warm place to live, they don't have comfortable beds, or warm clothes. Here in America we are very blessed. We have warm homes, many comforts, clothes on our back, food to eat. Thank You, Father!
  

The list could go on and on, God has provided us with so many undeserved blessings. He is so good. This afternoon I was reading Psalm 95, and I'd like to share it with you. It is a wonderful reminder of how good our God is.

Oh come, let us sing to the LORD!
Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving;
Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.
For the LORD is the great God,
And the great King above all gods.
In His hand are the deep places of the earth;
The heights of the hills are His also.
The sea is His, for He made it;
And His hands formed the dry land.

Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.
For He is our God,
And we are the people of His pasture,
And the sheep of His hand.

Today, if you will hear His voice:
“Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion,
As in the day of trial in the wilderness,
When your fathers tested Me;
They tried Me, though they saw My work.
For forty years I was grieved with that generation,
And said, 'It is a people who go astray in their hearts,
And they do not know My ways.'
So I swore in My wrath,
'They shall not enter My rest.' ”

What a wonderful Father we have! I hope you have a wonderful day remembering His goodness and praising Him!

Happy Thanksgiving!