what to give thanks for

Many families like mine, I know, have a time around the Thanksgiving dinner table where we share "what we are thankful for."

Sometimes, especially with younger children, there may be long pauses after we've thanked God for our family and pets.

So, it's time to think ahead and get a running start on gratitude. Here's what I came up with this morning...

God exists, and you are not him. God reigns, not chance! God rules over creation and history, working all things according to the counsel of his most wise and glorious will. Give thanks for these truths!

God is unchanging in his essence, nature and purposes. God is good, his steadfast love endures forever, he is infinitely wise and powerful, and he is not capricious or evil. Give thanks that he is trustworthy!

God has made a beautiful creation: trees, mountains, animals, and many other things. For all things bright and beautiful, great and small, wise and wonderful -- give thanks to God for all that he has made!

You are created in the image of God: you can think, feel, touch, love, and make choices. Give thanks for this! If you have chosen poorly, give thanks that God joyfully welcomes back the prodigals who return.

God cares enough for us that he has revealed himself to us in words. He wants us to know him! Thank him for the gift of His Word, the Bible.

God sent his Son into the world that we might be saved. Give thanks that he came to us when we could not come to him!

Jesus is God and man in one Person. He knows our weakness, and he is mighty to deliver us. Give thanks for such a great Savior!

On the Cross, Jesus bore all your sin, guilt, shame, debt, and brokenness. He has carried these off, never to be placed to your account again. Give thanks for this!

The tomb that Jesus was placed in was only a temporary stay for him. The Father was pleased with his Son's sacrifice, He is risen forevermore, and the new creation has begun. Give thanks!

In Christ you have forgiveness, new life, adoption into God's family, and a calling to serve his Kingdom. Give thanks for your position in Christ!

Is God at work in you both to will and to work for his good pleasure? Give thanks with trembling!

God gives you a spiritual family for fellowship, to encourage and build you up in Christ. Give thanks for the church!

God is a God of providence. He guides your life and provides for your needs: food, clothing, shelter, safety, and much more. Give thanks for many such blessings you have received!

Do you have a family? If your family life is happy, that is a gift from God -- give thanks for this! If your family life is not happy, this is a way God draws you to himself to find the happiness that only he can give. Give thanks in all things!

Do you have friends? Give thanks for the wonderful gift of friendship, for those who stick close to us through thick and thin. Are you lonely? Give thanks that there is a Friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Are you employed? Give thanks for this. Are you unemployed? Give thanks in all things, and believe that he will never abandon or forsake you. Give thanks to him who supplies all your needs.

Are you healthy? This is a gift from God. Are you in sickness, in pain, or in sorrow? Give thanks that your Father in heaven cares for you, will never leave you, and will one day wipe every tear away. Give thanks ahead of time!

Finally, God will one day banish evil forever, and will establish a new heavens and earth in truth, beauty and righteousness. Give thanks for the glorious future we have!

"In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NAS)

bible reading nov 1-2

Bible reading for weekend Nov 1 -- 2 Nov 1 -- Hosea 7 and Psalms 120-122 Nov 2 -- Hosea 8 and Psalms 123-125 ================ "Were I to write for him my laws by the ten thousands, they would be regarded as a strange thing." (Hosea 8:12) THE RESULTS OF SIN (ch 7-8). Notice the words and metaphors to describe Israel's sinful condition: they are surrounded with, and proud of, their evil (7:1-3); like adulterers in the heat of passion (7:4-5); their anger is like a hot oven (7:6-7); they are like a half-cooked (one side only) cake (7:8); their strength is gone (7:9); they are like silly doves easily trapped (7:11-12); they are undependable like a warped bow (7:16). In spite of all of this they are so proud of themselves! (We might say they have a strong self-esteem.) They have spurned what is good (8:3); they sow to the wind and have no real fruit (8:7); they are a useless vessel (8:8) and a wild donkey wandering alone (8:9); they regard God's law as a strange thing

bible reading dec 3-5

Bible reading for weekend December 3 -- 5 Dec 3 -- Nahum 1 and Luke 17 Dec 4 -- Nahum 2 and Luke 18 Dec 5 -- Nahum 3 and Luke 19 ================ "The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. But with an overflowing flood he will make a complete end of the adversaries, and will pursue his enemies into darkness." (Nahum 1:7-8) TIME'S UP FOR NINEVEH (Nah 1-3). The prophecy of Nahum is God's word to the people of Nineveh, part two. Jonah was part one, chronicling a city-wide repentance of Assyrians in the capital about a hundred years earlier. The closing bookend is Nahum, and the Assyrian empire is big, powerful, and aggressive. Notice the references to chariots (2:3-4, 13; 3:2). The Assyrians were a militarily advanced culture, and cruel in their warfare. Whatever spiritual receptivity they had at the time of Jonah was gone by the time of Nahum. Nahum may not have actually visited Nineveh, for it seems the book was w

bible reading dec 13-14

Bible reading for December 13 -- 14 Dec 13 -- Haggai 2 and John 3 Dec 14 -- Zechariah 1 and John 4 ================ "Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the LORD. Work, for I am with you, declares the LORD of hosts..." (Haggai 2:4) THE LATTER GLORY (Haggai 2). The Jews, having returned from Babylonian exile, must get to work and finish rebuilding the temple. For this reason, the post-exilic period is called the "second temple" period. King Herod would later enlarge and add many embellishments to the site. But the beginnings in Haggai are so modest compared to the temple originally built by Solomon, and the people were discouraged. The Lord asks, "Is it not as nothing in your eyes?" (v 3) He tells them that they are to be strong and to keep working, for he is with them, no matter how humble the project may seem. This principle applies to us, as well (Matt 28:20; Eph 6:10). We should not become disheartened at the smallness of the return on our

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