1 Thessalonians 5 (KJV)

¹⁶Rejoice evermore. 

   ¹⁷Pray without ceasing. 

   ¹⁸In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

So says the Apostle Paul.  "In everything give thanks".  Not just in good times, but also in times of distress.  We tend to get caught up in our every day lives.  The hustle and bustle.  Especially during the holiday season.  We were just talking yesterday at my work how the Thanksgiving season has become a mere shell of what it was intended to be.  Now we focus on visiting friends and family...getting that good deal on "Black Friday" (how depressing is that?)...gorging ourselves on every kind of turkey dish possible.  Do we ever just sit back and thank God for His blessings?  God yearns to hear the thanks of His children for the blessings that He has brought to their lives.  He deserves our thanks...our praise...our songs of thankfulness. 

Some thoughts of Thankfulness from King David

Psalm 30:4
Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

Psalm 35:18
I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people.

Psalm 79:13
So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to all generations.

Psalm 92:1
IT IS A GOOD THING TO GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD, AND TO SING PRAISES UNTO THY NAME, O MOST HIGH:

Psalm 105:1
O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.


I truly believe that part of our duty to be "salt" and "light" as Christ commands is to share the goodness of God with the world.  Let the world know what good that God has done in your life.  Especially in times of distress and turmoil.  How wonderful of a testimony is it that the world see us praising God all the time?  How great is the goodness of God.  Say it to yourself.  Say it out loud.  Shout it to the Heavens!  Let His praise be continually on your lips.  For then, and only then, will true change be wrought in your heart....and the hearts of those around you. 

May we each take time to personally and publicly thank God for His many blessings towards us...May God bless you and keep you during this blessed holiday season...and may true peace and comfort be yours as you celebrate the blessings of our wonderful Heavenly Father.