A wonderful tradition at many Thanksgiving tables is for each individual to share one thing he/she is thankful for. Most often we hear "family" and "friends", "my job" or "retirement", or "our home". And these are all excellent answers. But of course there is so much more if we get down to the details. I've done some of that in my other November blogs. But today, instead of focusing on enumerating my blessings, I've chosen to pull back and take a big picture view and I saw Jesus Christ over the whole of my life.
"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus," (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV).
Truly, it is God's will that we dwell in Christ Jesus our Savior. Jesus came to earth as God in human form. As a child he studied and lived among man. He was baptized, taught, performed miracles, healed the sick and even brought the dead back to life. Jesus became a friend to all and showed His love to all, yet there were those who rejected Him. They sent Him, wounded and beaten, to the cross where they crowned Him with a crown of thorns to mock Him. Yet, Jesus knew the cross was His to bear and He took His place for you and me so that our sins could forever be forgiven and so we could once again come into a relationship with our loving God. Jesus Christ's blood wiped away our sins and made us clean again. Hallelujah, what a Savior!
"Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song," (Psalm 95:2 NIV).
"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name," (Psalm 100:4 NIV).
Today, I give thanks to God for my Savior, Jesus Christ. For without Him, my life is worthless and empty of joy. May our thanksgiving be pleasing to His ears today, in all the blessings we share.
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus," (Philippians 4:4-7 NIV).
Thank you Jesus Christ for giving Your perfect life as a sacrifice for my sinful one. You are my blessed Savior and I give thanks for You today and every day. Amen.
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