With the holidays coming up, especially Thanksgiving, it's a great time to reflect on how your year went. For me, I have so many people I'm thankful for, that made this year full of joy. So during this holiday season, don't forget to thank whoever has made an impact in your life! Here are just a few of the many reasons to be thankful:
1. Jesus
We have been given this priceless gift of salvation through Christ Jesus, and we cant even imagine life without him. It's so easy to take this for granted, or forget about the purpose of life, so we need constant reminders of the best gift ever received. Even when we are going through trials and think we can barely get through another day, he is always, and has always been there from the start. Thank God today for this life and the grace we receive from him every day.
"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." 1 Chronicles 16:34
2. Family
The people we have in our lives are there for a reason. They have, at some point, helped us along our path, or helped us in a difficult time. Even if you aren't close to them or hardly ever talk to them, it's so important to get back a relationship with them and thank them for all they've done. Everyone in your family deserves to be told that you appreciate them. Thank a family member today for all they have done for you.
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17
3. College Education or Job
No matter what major, or career you have or will have, we need to be thankful for this wonderful opportunity to get to even have. Many children won't get this opportunity, and we sometimes take it for granted. Also, any job you have, even if you hate it, is still a job. Many don't have a job and can't afford to live. Thank God today for allowing there to be money from some kind of source to be able to further your education or live your life.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6
4. Friends
"The greatest gift of life is friendship, and I have received it." -Hubert H. Humphrey
"Friends show their love in times of trouble, not in happiness." -Euripides
"Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light." -Helen Keller
Friends are a precious gift from God and we need to realize how thankful we are for them. Tell a friend today how much they have made an impact on your life.
"A friend loves at all times..." Proverbs 17:17
5. The Gospel
We are so blessed to be able to have something to study our faith. Abraham, in Romans 4, didn't even need proof to believe that God was who he said he was. He had so much faith and never questioned. However, we have the bible with proof and we still sometimes question our path or our calling. We need to be thankful that we have something to read and study to strengthen our faith.
"Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous. And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded for our benefit, too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God." Romans 4:20-25
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and to worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”
-Hebrews 12:28-29
