A Prayer for Thanksgiving DAY

A Prayer for Thanksgiving Day by Debbie McDaniel

“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness, come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God, it is he who made us, and we are his, we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise, give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good; his love endures forever, his faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 100:1-5

All across our nation, Thanksgiving is a day that we set aside in order to do one thing. Be thankful. And usually what goes along with it, is lots of food, family and friends, laughter and fun, times of giving to others in need, maybe some football, or traditions that you’ve recognized through long years. And sometimes too, there is also loneliness. And struggle. Or deep loss. Feelings of hurt and painful circumstances that you’re still trying to hurdle over.

Whatever you’re facing this Thanksgiving Day, in the midst of all of it, may we remember again that God gives us the opportunity each and every day to give worship and thanks to Him. Every morning He gives us breath, is His invitation to come joyfully into His Presence. He reminds us that He alone is God and we belong to Him. He assures us that His plans in our lives are for good, that His love covers us securely, and His faithfulness extends from generation to generation.

No matter what, He’s given us so many reasons to choose thankfulness and joy this day. Let’s do what the Psalmist of this great chapter says:

- Shout for joy.
- Worship the Lord with gladness.
- Come before Him with joyful songs.
- Know that He is God.
- Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.
- Give thanks to Him and praise His name.
- Recognize His goodness, love, and faithfulness, through all the generations of our family.

Dear God,
                Thank You for Your goodness and for Your blessings over our lives. Forgive us when we don't thank You enough, for who You are, for all that You do, for all that You've given. We’re so grateful to You for Your amazing love and care, for Your mercy and grace, for always working on our behalf, even behind the scenes when we’re unaware. Thank You that You are always with us and will never leave us, even through loss and the most difficult of times. Thank You for Your incredible sacrifice so that we might have freedom and life. Help us to set our eyes and our hearts on You afresh. Renew our spirits, fill us with Your peace and joy, this Thanksgiving Day and every day. We give You thanks and praise, for You alone are worthy! In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Promise for Today - Part Two - Powerful Way to Live Free

NOTE: For the rest of November, I will share Thanksgiving moments written by other authors.
Today's devotional was written by Debbie McDaniel.
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The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him.” 

Psalm 28:7

We have so much to be grateful for in this life, every single day. But reality is that sometimes constant life demands, battles, and worries give more room to defeat than to a heart of thanks. Or we forget, in the midst of busyness and pressures, just to pause and give thanks for all that God has done and continues to do in our lives.

Sometimes it really is a sacrifice to offer praise and thanks. We may not feel like it. We’re struggling. We’re weary. Or maybe, we feel like He let us down. We think God seems distant, like He’s far away, or doesn’t really care about what’s troubling us. Painful life blows and losses might have recently sent us spiraling.

But here’s what can make a lasting difference. We have a choice, every day, to give Him thanks. And with a heart of thanksgiving, we realize that no matter what we face, God doesn’t just work to change our situations and help us through our problems. He does more. He changes our hearts. Through our hearts of gratitude and focused minds on Him, His power releases the grip our struggles have over us. We’re strengthened by His peace, refueled by His joy.

Intersecting Faith & Life: Maybe you’re in a hard place right now. Maybe you feel like God has left you on your own to fend for yourself, or the battle seems too hard. Maybe there’s never enough money left at the end of the month, and you can’t figure out how to make things work. No matter what, in it all, be assured that God is with you and He cares. Choose a heart of gratefulness today. Make a list of all that God has blessed and filled your life with, that it’s been easy to take for granted at times. Trust He knows what concerns you and is at work even now, to bring you through this uncertain season. This Thanksgiving, thank God for providing all you need.

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Prayer:

Father, 

          We are humbled and so grateful for all You have done, all You are doing, and all You will do as we follow You. We choose to build and strengthen a heart of gratitude; to speak Your Word over every situation rather than to nurse and rehearse the challenges we face daily. Thank You for being the only Firm Foundation that helps us to withstand all the storms of life. We give You all glory and praise, in Jesus' Name. Amen

Promise for Today - Being Thankful is a Powerful Way to Live Free

NOTE: For the rest of November, I will share Thanksgiving moments written by other authors.
Today's devotional was written by Debbie McDaniel.
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The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him.

Psalm 28:7

No matter what our current situation or the struggles we may be facing, here’s what choosing to be thankful does:

• It gets our eyes off ourselves and helps us to focus back on God.
• It reminds us we’re not in control, but that we serve a Mighty God who is. It keeps us in a place of humility and dependency on Him, as we recognize how much we need Him.
• It helps us to recognize we have so much to be thankful for, even all the little things, which often we may forget to thank Him for. It takes our attention off our problems and helps us instead to reflect on the goodness of His many blessings.
• It reminds us that God is the Giver of all good gifts. We were never intended to be fully self-sufficient in this life. A grateful heart reminds us that ultimately God is our Provider, that all blessings and gifts are graciously given to us by His hand.
• A heart of gratitude leaves no room for complaining. For it is impossible to be truly thankful and filled with negativity and ungratefulness at the same time.
• It makes the enemy flee. The forces of darkness can’t stand to be around hearts that give thanks and honor to God. Our praise and thanksgiving will make them flee.
• It opens the door for continued blessings. It invites His presence. God loves to give good gifts to His children. He delights in our thankfulness and pours out His Spirit and favor over those who give honor and gratitude to Him.

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Prayer:

Father, 

          With glad hearts, we give You praise. With sad hearts, we give You praise. With our whole heart, we give You praise and thanksgiving, for You alone are worthy of it all. Keep us ever mindful that every good and perfect gift comes from You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - A Story of Persistence (for 11/23)

NOTE: For the rest of November, I will share Thanksgiving moments written by other authors.
Today's devotional was written by Kelly McFadden
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Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 

Philippians 3:12-14

Here is a part of the Thanksgiving story you may not know. While the first Thanksgiving was celebrated in October of 1621, it was not until October of 1777 that all 13 colonies celebrated Thanksgiving for the first time. At one point, our first president, George Washington, proclaimed a National Day of Thanksgiving, but conflict and difficulties among the colonies put an end to its observance.

It was a magazine editor, Sarah Josepha Hale, whose work led to the celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday we observe today. Hale wrote letters to governors and presidents, and editorials in magazines, books and newspapers, promoting the observance of Thanksgiving. In 1863, after 40 years of letter writing and campaigning (that’s not a typo, she really wrote letters for 40 years), Hale’s persistence paid off and President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a National Day of Thanksgiving. Since then, every president has supported Thanksgiving. Forty years of dedication, persistence and passion, all to make sure that this country would celebrate a National Day of Thanksgiving each year. Impressive.

We can learn from Hale’s perseverance. It took her 40 years to accomplish what she set out to do. Just like her story, the Christian faith is often described as a marathon, not a sprint. Each day of our life is another day to choose between right and wrong, to help someone in need, to read our Bible and pray. As Paul reminds us in Philippians 3:12-14, Christians are called to persevere, to press on. Sometimes it can feel like an unrewarding task. It is hard, but important, to look to God for the BIGGER plan. What if Hale had chosen to give up after one year or ten years? Her goal would have been left unfinished. Press on towards the call of Christ! Endure! But be forewarned, just like Sara Josepha Hale, it may take 40 years to see the fruit of your labor!
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Prayer:

Father,

           Your love for us is the most exquisite illustration of perseverance. Since the beginning of our time on Earth, mankind has repeatedly rebelled and chosen to go its own way; yet You love us so much that You prepared the Way for us to be forgiven and restored to a right relationship with You. We can never thank You enough for the sacrificial love of Jesus. And it's in His Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - When Do You Thank God?

NOTE: For the rest of November, I will share Thanksgiving moments written by other authors.
Today's devotional was written by Anne Peterson.
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Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

God tells us godliness with contentment is great gain, but being content is not always easy to do (1 Timothy 6:6). It’s often difficult because we’re looking around at others, wondering if what we have compares with what they have.

Paul said he learned how to be content in whatever state he found himself (Philippians 4:11). Paul didn’t just talk about it; he showed us. There he was in prison, all shackled up, and what was he doing? Having a pity party? No, he was singing praises to God. Too often we choose to praise God after He has answered our prayers. And while there’s nothing wrong with thanking God for answered prayer, we miss out if that’s the only time we praise Him with thanksgiving. God is good. It’s impossible for God to be anything less than good. It’s His character.

I often think of when Jesus visited Mary and Martha after their brother, Lazarus, died. Even though Jesus went there after Lazarus was already dead, He still had a plan.

So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” - John 11:41-42

I always found it interesting that Jesus thanked God for hearing His prayer before Lazarus took one step. Years ago, I made a mental note of that. God is worthy of praise. We don’t have to wait to see if God delivers on something we ask Him before we thank Him. And if God chooses to say, “No,” that doesn’t mean God is less worthy of our praise.

God’s Word tells us it’s impossible to please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6). When we choose to be thankful and praise God at all times, we are exercising faith. We are praising God because we know God is capable of doing everything we ask and then so much more. When we thank God, we are pleasing our heavenly Father.

God is worthy of praise just because He’s God. It pleases God when we praise Him ahead of time because we’re saying, 'God, whether or not You choose to answer my prayers, I praise You for who You are. I thank You for all You’ve given me. And Lord, even when You choose to say “no” to my requests, I know You have Your reasons. You know the beginning from the end. Your thoughts are much higher than my thoughts and Your ways are higher too (Isaiah 55:8-9). And Lord, if you withhold something I’m asking You for, then maybe the thing is not good for me, or the timing is not right. I know it’s not good because You’ve said You will not withhold any good thing from me (Psalm 84:11). God, I trust You.

We can choose to be thankful in all things. Simply because God is all-wise and He allows what He does with His wisdom. And when things look like they will never work out, those impossible times are God’s specialty. The things that are impossible with man are possible with God (Luke 18:27). I love it when God does what seems impossible, because there’s no question at all who did it. And when we get discouraged because of our circumstances, God promises that in all things He can work for the good, for us (Romans 8:28).

We can rejoice always because we know the Almighty God, the everlasting Father. We can pray because He invites us to bring our cares to Him, because He cares for us (1Peter 5:7). And we can give thanks in all circumstances because it is God’s will. We also know none of God’s plans can be thwarted (Job 42:2). I’m pretty certain that when Paul sang to the Lord from behind bars, it was one of the most beautiful praises ever heard. And we can do the same.

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Prayer:

Father,

           Give us eyes to see and a heart to always recognize and know Your faithfulness and goodness toward us. Whether Your answer is 'yes' or 'no' - we love You. We trust You. We choose You and will follow You all the days of our lives. Amen.

Promise for Today - To Share God's Blessings

NOTE: For the rest of November, I will share Thanksgiving moments written by other authors.
Today's devotional was written by Keri Eichberger
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And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Hebrews 13:16

I’ve felt my fair share of emptiness. Devoid of strength of the spirit. Hollowed of joy in my soul. Bare of any energy in my bones. Lacking the resources of time to spare or money to make ends meet. Seasons of depression, loss of loved ones, relationship strain, and chronic pain. Times of financial crisis, stress-filled schedules, and overcrowded calendars. I’ve felt weariness come and go, and come again like the predictable waves of the unwavering ocean. And it’s instances like these that I struggle to beam with God’s blessings. I know He has given me so much. I know He has never stopped. And that He desires for me to receive His boundless blessings. But when life seems to steal so much from my heart, soul, and surroundings, it’s hard to find the fortitude to focus on such goodness. Which, of course, makes it that much harder to share that which I hardly feel I have. Though I know that is also God’s desire for me. To not only receive His blessings, but to bless others in return.

Have you ever felt like you had nothing left to give? You were all poured out mentally and emotionally. Your energy had been completely depleted. Your calendar was maxed. And maybe even your budget didn’t have a penny of margin. I believe we’ve all been there. Some of us are there now, or on the brink. And maybe if you glanced at God and considered what you have left in the tank, the only thing you might be able to offer up would be a simple prayer and a small smile for the love God continues to flow in, through, and from your heart. Maybe all you could consider giving at a given moment is a slight grin, a weak hand, one short word, or a single penny. Well, what if that was enough to bless someone and bring a restoration of blessings back to you? I believe that’s true.

I hope this isn’t you. I hope you feel so full of God’s good blessings that you are overflowing with excitement to pour it out. And I hope you do just that. This pleases God greatly. But if you could only wish and pray that were you right now, may I remind you of the Bible story in the gospels of Mark and Luke about the poor widow’s offering. Luke recounts, “As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. ‘Truly I tell you,’ he said, ‘this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.’” (Luke 21:1-4)

God said the widow who gave less actually gave more. He was more pleased with the smallest gift from the one who seemingly had nothing to give. This might be you with very little to offer. And this could be you offering it to God. Who will be more pleased with your obedience with a little, and Who can make it more than enough?

God is delighted when we give for His name's sake. And never underestimate what He can do with a little. A little money to someone in need, a little text to a friend struggling, a little prayer for a family member hurting, a simple meal for a new mom, a word of encouragement to a stranger, a kind gesture to someone hard to love, a helping hand to the elderly, or one song of praise to the God of the Universe who loves you and gives you gift after gift, day after day.

And it’s in sharing such simple blessings, one at a time, that we are refilled exponentially. Give one ounce of joy and receive two ounces back—energizing the soul with God’s radiating joy. Our fill becomes fuller. So whether you have found yourself full within, or almost completely empty, share. Share the blessings God has bestowed on you. Share even the little you have, and watch God turn it into a whole lot. For the ones you bless… and for you.

Prayer:

Lord God, 

                 You are the one from whom all blessings flow. I confess that at times I can’t see all your goodness under the shadow of the heaviness of life. And I struggle to share from what little I seem to have. But Lord, just as You desire and delight in blessing me, You desire for me to share my blessings, no matter how small, and this delights You all the more.

Lord, I long to become more aware of Your blessings, I long to please You, and I long to feel the fullness You give when I do just that. Thank You for blessing me endlessly, for the opportunity to bless others, for turning my little into a lot, and for the way You swell and multiply every blessing back to me. In Your praiseworthy name, Amen.

Promise for Today - Find Me Grateful

NOTE: For the rest of November, I will share Thanksgiving moments written by other authors.

Today's devotional was written by Morgan Farris.
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In that day you will say: “Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things;  let this be known to all the world. Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.” 
Isaiah 12:4-6

If you grew up in America, you probably grew up with turkey and dressing, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, and lots of memories with your extended family. The Thanksgiving holiday is sort of the pre-Christmas celebration, and we lucky Americans get to have a five-week-long holiday season because of it.

But I wonder if we ever stop to truly ponder the word or even the story behind the Thanksgiving holiday.  At the risk of boring you with a history lesson, I’ll sum up the story of the pilgrims this way: Christians fleeing religious oppression in Europe, thanks to the Reformation, hopped on a ship and sailed to an unknown, wild land, for the sole purpose of being able to worship God freely. That takes guts, I tell you. When I think of all they risked and all they endured for the sake of their faith, I wonder if I would have the same gumption. I doubt that when they sat down for that first Thanksgiving meal over four hundred years ago, they ever imagined the impact it would have on an entire nation. I doubt they ever understood the magnitude of their faith, their obedience, and their gratefulness.

The pilgrims set an example of gratitude for us all. They made known the name of the Holy One of Israel to the nations with a simple act of obedience. All they did was worship with thanksgiving in their hearts.  The Father looked down and found them grateful. What a beautiful example for us all.

This year, I’m asking the Lord to forgive me for the times I’ve been indifferent to His goodness. And this year, my prayer is that the Father would find me grateful in all things.

Prayer:

Lord, 

        Help us to be people of gratitude. Help us to worship You with a thankfulness that permeates every part of our lives – the corporate moments and the private prayers. Father, help us to look for Your goodness and Your glory in all things. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Promise for Today - Following Up

NOTE: For the rest of November, I will share Thanksgiving moments written by other authors.
Today's devotional was written by Sean Nagel.
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One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked Him - he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?" Then He said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”
Luke 17:15-19

In this account of Jesus’ healing ministry, ten men with leprosy called out to Jesus from a distance, asking Jesus to have pity on them. Jesus showed His love and mercy for the faithful men and healed them; however, only one man returned to Jesus to give thanks for His  love and kindness.

In today’s world, we often cry out to God for His blessing, yet forget to come back to Him in appreciation... During this season, be reminded of the many ways that God has provided for you and blessed your life, and always return to Him in praise and thanksgiving.

Prayer:

Abba Father, 

                    We come before You as children who understand that You know how to best care for us. Thank You, Father, for Your love, patience, discipline, and safe-keeping. Amen.

Promise for Today - The Choice to Be Grateful

NOTE: For the rest of November, I will share Thanksgiving moments written by other authors.
Today's devotional was written by Susan Merritt.
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Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But at midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
Acts 16:22-27

This story goes on to tell us how an earthquake happened, and all the chains fell off all the prisoners. No one fled and we are led to believe that the prayers and praises going up to God moved them to stay. It was well known that the guard would have been executed if they had fled. When the guard realized that they were all still there, he asked Paul what he must do to be saved. He had heard them praying and singing praises to God. Then he witnessed them putting their faith into action by staying put. This was what God used to soften his heart to receive the truth of Jesus.

I have a very good friend that I met in 1980. When I met her, she had recently lost one of her arms in a tractor accident. She had a hook for a hand. While in the hospital recuperating, she spent those days praising God and praying for everyone who walked into her room. Her countenance expressed the joy and peace of God. She continually expressed an attitude of thanksgiving.

As the story goes, nurses and doctors began to be saved. A little revival broke out in the West Texas hospital because of the thanksgiving and joy expressed by my friend. She was truly filled with God’s Spirit at a time when most people would have been devastated. My friend chose to be grateful with joy, and several were saved. Paul and Silas chose to pray and praise God and the jailer with his family all became followers of Christ.

Let’s do the same and live a life full of gratitude and joy unto our Father. We never know who is paying attention and who might turn to Jesus because of it.

Prayer:

Almighty God,
                        We bow our hearts before You in thanksgiving for all You have done for us. Thank You for being with us during very trying times. Thank You for giving us hearts full of joy and peace as we abide in You. In Jesus’ Name

Promise for Today - Our Father's Good Gifts

NOTE: For the rest of November, I will share Thanksgiving moments written by other authors.

Today's devotional was written by.Dena Dyer *********************************************************************

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”
James 1:17  NKJV

With our busy lives, it’s easy to get distracted. We run from sports practice to meetings to grocery pick-up - and we try to find time for church, friends, and extended family. No wonder we often keep our focus on “to-do’s.”

What if, for just this week, we instead focused on “ta-da’s”? Think about those moments God powerfully showed off: with a long-awaited answer to prayer, a sweet moment with a child or spouse, or a gorgeous sunrise on your commute. By bringing our thoughts around to the goodness of God and His perfect, timely gifts, we reset our minds. Eventually, gratitude for our generous, faithful Father and His good gifts will become the habit of our hearts. And that habit will reap rewards—not only spiritually but also physically. Studies have shown that regularly practicing gratitude (by writing down a few things we’re thankful for each day) even helps with chronic pain and other maladies.

Gratitude is also “catching.” When we create an atmosphere of thankfulness, our friends and family will pick up on it, and we’ll find our homes and relationships more joyful and peaceful. 

Prayer:

Father, 

          We get so mired in our list of things to do that we forget to notice the small and large blessings all around us. Thank You for the perfect gifts You give. Change our perspective so we can behold Your light, love, and creativity.  In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - What Thanksgiving Reveals about You

NOTE: For the rest of the month, I will share Thanksgiving moments from Crosswalk/Home Word.
Today's devotional was written by Adrian Rogers

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What Thanksgiving Reveals about You

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.
Psalm 100:4 NKJV

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Colossians 3:15 KJV

If worry is the opposite of faith, then thanksgiving is the expression of faith—in fact, the highest expression. God has blessed you, but you may not think so if you’re measuring blessings by the barometer of health, wealth, and happiness.

You say, “I don’t think I have as much to thank God for as some other people.” Well, the apostle Paul was in a filthy Philippian jail, awaiting a possible death sentence, when he wrote, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."

Unthankful people are never happy people. They’re filled with bitterness, fear, negativism, selfishness, and self-pity.

My friend, let me tell you what blessings we have. “Blessed be the Lord who daily loadeth us with benefits…” (Psalm 68:19 KJV). God has loaded your wagon. How often? Every day! “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.” (Lamentations 3:22-23 NLT). Every day you wake up to blessings.

Thank Him for spiritual blessings. Thank Him for the simple blessings of good, clean water, enough food, shelter, and the simple things. We are so blessed. Refuse to worry. Instead, carry everything to God in prayer. Rejoice in the presence of the Lord. Rely upon the power of the Lord. Reflect on the provision of the Lord. Rest in the peace of the Lord. Do everything with thanksgiving.
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Prayer:

Father,
           Help us always to see and acknowledge Your goodness to us. Holy Spirit, lead us into all Truth and never let us forget the benefits of serving and living for Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Thanksgiving Devotional - A Season of Thanks

For the rest of the month, I will share Thanksgiving moments by Crosswalk/Home Word.
Today's devotional was written by Kelly McFadden
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All Your words are true; all Your righteous laws are eternal. —Psalms 119:160

This holiday season, you will most likely hear the song “My Favorite Things” from the Broadway musical The Sound of Music. To me this song has always felt out of place during the holidays, until recently. I have begun to hear it in a new light, recognizing the famous list of “favorite things” as a list of reasons to be thankful. The character Maria, who sings this song, thinks about her list of favorite things when she seeks comfort.

Christians have a list as well. Found in the Bible are promises from our Lord – keepsakes we can cling to at all times, including periods of worry, trouble, or despair. These promises urge Christ-followers not to be troubled or to feel alone. They are words offering great hope because they are not the words of mere men. They are inspired, never-changing words given to us from our Savior and Lord. Read through a few of these promises below:

The Lord will give His people strength. Psalm 29:11
The Lord hears our cries. Psalm 34:17
The Lord will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4-5
The Lord will answer when you call to Him. Jeremiah 33:3
You need not be afraid. God is with you. Isaiah 41:13
The Lord will give rest to your burdened soul. Matthew 11:28-29
The Lord will comfort you. John 14:27
The Lord has given us His Spirit to guide us. Acts 1:8
You will have everlasting life when you believe. John 3:16

The list can go on and on. The Lord promises us mercy, protection, strength, eternity, love, and forgiveness. As it says in the Bible, God cannot lie (Hebrews 6:18) and His word is truth (John 17:1). We cannot look at God’s promises like we do those of our friends and family. As people, we often promise, but don’t follow through, even when we have the best of intentions. God’s Word is binding and true. These promises hold fast. We do not have to wonder if they will happen. Rather, we ought to wait in expectation. So “when the dog bites, when the bee stings, when you’re feeling sad,” I encourage you to remember all God has promised you. It is in these promises that you will find great strength.

As you celebrate the season of Thanksgiving, in addition to thinking through all you are thankful for, take time to thank God for His many promises.
FURTHER READING: Isaiah 40:31; John 16:15; Mark 11:23-26
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Prayer:

Father,

           Thank You for all You have done for us, the provision for salvation, redemption, and also the promise of Heaven. We are so grateful! Help us to be ever mindful of Your goodness, Your faithfulness, and Your mercies that are new every morning. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

It's All In How You Look At It

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things."
Philippians 4:8 NKJV

Here in the US, we have entered Thanksgiving week. A time set aside to gather and give special thanks for the blessings in our lives. And yes, despite whatever challenges we may be facing at this moment, all of us have at least one thing to be thankful for. It's all in how we look at it. It's our choice.

We can choose to be grumpy because we have to get up early - or we can choose to be grateful we woke up and have a job to get to or a dog to walk or children to feed.

We can choose to be grumpy because we have to clean the kitchen - or we can choose to be grateful that we have food to prepare, and a way to prepare it, and water to clean up, and we live in a place that has a kitchen to clean.

"Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT  There are opportunities all day long to find them - multiple choices to define and count our blessings. From the time we get up in the morning until we lay our head to rest at night. It's all in how you look at it. 

Prayer:

Father,
           Thank You for the many, many blessings You have provided for us. Open our eyes to see You and Your hand of provision. Allow us to see Your fingerprints in every area of our lives. Help us to choose thanksgiving over grumbling. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Are You Eating Leftovers? - Thanksgiving Devotional #10

A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit. A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash. For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.

Proverbs 15:13-15 NLT

If you want to get people talking, ask them what tradition makes it Thanksgiving for them. Even if they don't have fond memories of childhood gatherings, they usually DO have fond wishes of what they thought should be part of it. And I've never seen it fail that once that conversation starts, it usually progresses into the weirdest recipe ever used to serve turkey leftovers, with everyone in agreement that by the third day, they're done with turkey. They don't want to look at another piece of turkey, let alone eat it again.

I know lots of people who will not eat leftovers - ever - no matter what it is. They're a one-time-only eater. As a general rule of thumb, I don't mind leftovers. In fact, some things taste better the next day - pot roast, chili, meatloaf sandwiches - but, I don't want a daily diet of leftovers and I don't know anyone who does. Do you?

And yet, many people eat leftovers every day. You know them. They're the ones who can't or won't trust God because they're still chewing on leftover disappointments. Still picking their teeth with sticks and stones from the past. They can't hear the kind words that are like honey - "sweet to the soul and healthy for the body" (Proverbs 16:24) because they're still full from yesterday's generous helpings of bitterness that they're trying to digest. By the same token, many can't take in the goodness of God because they've filled up on garbage.

What are you hungry for? Will you be wise or foolish in your choices? Do you want something fresh from Heaven or something that's been lying around for years? It's feeding time. What will you feed on today?

Prayer:

Father,
           Your Word declares that You sent Your Son to set at liberty those who are held captive. It declares that we are new creations in Christ Jesus. Open our eyes and our hearts to understand and embrace the TRUTH of Your Word over the experiences of our lives. We want more of You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

A Doxology - Thanksgiving Devotional #8

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.
Ephesians 1:3 NLT

A doxology is defined as “an expression of praise to God, especially a short hymn sung as part of a Christian worship service.” The most commonly known is "Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow", sung to the tune of the Old Hundredth. If you don't know it, you've more than likely heard it at least once in your lifetime.

How many times does it happen when we sing a song that we have sung hundreds of times before, that we sing it without thinking about the words and the meaning behind them? In this season of Thanksgiving, let us blow off the dust and sing from our hearts an expression of true praise in worship.

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!
Praise Him all creatures here below!
Praise Him above ye heav'nly host!
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Praise God who loves us great and small
Praise Him who hears our faintest call
The Sovereign Lamb redeemed the fall
Praise God, the Saviour, Lord of all

From all that dwell below the skies
Let faith and hope with love arise
Let beauty, truth, and good be sung
Through every land by every tongue

Thanksgiving is about doing just that - giving thanks to the One who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing and giving Him praise! Hallelujah!

Prayer:

Father,
         Thank You for music. Thank You for Your anointing on it. Thank You for enabling our hearts to respond to You. Birth in us a new desire to know You more. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Reminder - A Heart for Thanksgiving - Thanksgiving Devotional #7

We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.
Psalm 33:20-22 NLT

The Thanksgiving Holiday was established in 1863 by President Abraham Lincoln. Unfortunately, in American society, Thanksgiving is often overlooked. Christmas decorations and offerings start appearing immediately after Back-to-School sales. Thanksgiving is barely acknowledged, except to promote gluttonous greed, football...and let's not forget the sales that start at midnight.

Seemingly gone forever is what Lincoln proclaimed as "a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father..." Nor do we hear Lincoln's advice to acknowledge God's goodness to us and to repent as a nation. Following are a few excerpts from the Presidential Proclamation of 1863.

"The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the Source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God..."

Wisdom is eternal and the words of wisdom proclaimed by Abraham Lincoln in 1863 still hold true. It would be great if before we are consumed with the unholy that we take time to adhere to the tested truth that should still ring out today...

"No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, ...fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union."

And while it is true that Lincoln addressed a nation torn by the Civil War, we are a WORLD divided and we desperately need God to heal the wounds and to restore peace, harmony, tranquility, and Union.

Prayer:

Father,
          Thank You for the mercy and grace You and You alone have bestowed on our nation and the world. Father, let the people heed Your call to repentance and hear Your voice. Forgive us for our sins against You. According to Your Word, let Your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in You alone. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

In God’s Presence - Thanksgiving Devotional #6

Written by Rachel Schmoyer. Pastor's wife and mother of 4, she finds simple truths in complex parts of Scripture through her Read the Hard Parts blog and speaking ministry.
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Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6 NIV

Thanksgiving is an invitation into God’s presence. On Thanksgiving Day, we are reminded of God’s presence through prayer and by enumerating our blessings. When my grandfather was living, he was the designated person to pray a hearty prayer before our meal. Now my husband usually does it since he is a pastor. But the beautiful thing is that God invites us into His presence with thanksgiving all year long. 

The Psalmist knew the importance of thanksgiving when entering the temple for worship. Psalm 95:2 says “Come into His presence with thanksgiving.” In Philippians 4:6, Paul encourages us “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” In this verse, thanksgiving is not just the attitude we are supposed to have when we ask God for our needs, but it is the answer to anxiety in every situation.

Giving thanks in God’s presence is a daily thing. We can do this in a number of ways:
Start each prayer with thanking God for what He has already done for us before we ask for what we need.
Write down our thanks to God to keep us in the habit of it. (I have some friends who have a thankfulness journal and they write down one thing they are thankful for every day.)
Pray a prayer of thanksgiving before you eat every meal. Many of us grew up with this habit, but if you have fallen out of the habit, restart today.

May this Thanksgiving [Season] remind you to bring thanksgiving into God’s presence all year long.
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Prayer:

Father,

           We pray as King David prayed, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends You, and lead me along the path of everlasting life."  Give us grateful hearts, O God! In Jesus' Name we pray, Amen 
(Psalm 139:23-24)

Giving Thanks for the Power of Praise - Thanksgiving Devotional #2

Written by Whitney Hopler - She is the author of several books, including the nonfiction books Wake Up to Wonder and Wonder Through the Year: A Daily Devotional for Every Year, and the young adult novel Dream Factory.

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“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.” 

Acts 16:25-26 

I was struggling to sleep because of persistent pain from an injury. No matter how hard I tried to find a comfortable position to go to sleep, I couldn’t find any way to escape the pain or relax enough to sleep. Frustrated, I glanced at a nearby clock. It was already close to midnight, and I still didn’t know how much longer it would take me to go to sleep. Rather than ruminate on my problem any longer, I got up out of bed and did something I knew would always help me somehow – I sang a worship song to God. Even though I was singing softly (to avoid waking up my husband), it didn’t take long to feel a powerful sense of peace wash over me. God was with me even in my pain. I kept singing, and by the time I was done, my pain didn’t seem as distracting as before. Finally, I was able to drift off to sleep.

There’s something powerful about praise. It lifts our perspective beyond our problems and to the all-powerful God who can help us solve them. When Paul and Silas found themselves in prison, they could have chosen to give in to despair or to question why God allowed them to endure such suffering. Instead, they lifted their voices in prayer and praise to God. Their decision to worship in the middle of suffering may seem surprising. But the miracle that happened when they did shows us that praise opens the door to God’s power.

In their darkest hour, at midnight, Paul and Silas began to sing hymns to God. The prison, which was often a place of defeat and silence, became a place of worship. As their praises rose, God’s power descended. The Bible passage tells us that suddenly there was an earthquake so violent that even the foundations of the prison were shaken. The result was that not only were Paul and Silas freed, but every prisoner in that place was unshackled. Praise brought liberation to everyone around them!

When we praise, we shift our focus from ourselves and our problems to God. Praise acknowledges God’s greatness and faithfulness, no matter what challenges we’re facing. By praising God in difficult times, we invite God into our circumstances. That is when transformation happens.

The prison couldn’t contain Paul and Silas because the power of God was greater than their chains. When we choose to praise God – despite how impossible or painful our circumstances may seem – we’re acknowledging that God’s power is greater than anything we face. We’re inviting God to step into our situation, trusting that God is more than able to deliver us.

Praise also acts as a weapon of faith in spiritual warfare. Just as it broke open the prison doors for Paul and Silas, praise has the power to break down spiritual strongholds. Evil wants to keep us imprisoned in fear, doubt, and despair. But when we lift up praise, we declare that God is in control, no matter how hopeless our situation may appear. Praise declares victory before it’s even visible. That welcomes God’s light into the darkness, dispelling it.

When we lift our voices in worship, we’re welcoming God’s power to shake the foundations of whatever holds us captive. Chains will fall, doors will open, and freedom will come when we praise God.

So, whatever you’re facing today, choose to praise. Trust that as you lift your voice to God, God will work powerfully in your life. The same power that set Paul and Silas free is available to you. Praise welcomes God’s power into your life, and nothing can stand against it.

Intersecting Faith & Life: As you consider the power of praise, reflect on these questions: 

When you think about the circumstances Paul and Silas were in, what surprises you most about their decision to praise God in that moment?

How does praising God in difficult times shift your perspective?

Have you experienced a moment where praise helped you feel God’s presence with you? How did it affect you?

In what areas of your life do you feel “imprisoned” right now, and how can you begin to use praise as a way to invite God’s power into those situations?

Further Reading:
Psalm 22:3
2 Chronicles 20:22
Psalm 34:1
Isaiah 61:3
Hebrews 13:15

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Prayer:

Father,
          Forgive us for the times we choose to grumble and complain in the tough times rather than praise You. Today we choose according to Your Word, to enter into Your gates with thanksgiving, and into Your courts with praise! We will be thankful unto You and bless Your Name, for You are good; Your mercy is everlasting; and Your Truth endures to all generations. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Be Thankful for People - Thanksgiving Devotional #1

This devotional was written by Robin Dugall
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I thank my God every time I remember you.

Philippians 1:3

Thanksgiving season is here, and across our country, pastors will preach sermons pointing out the need for Christ-followers to be thankful people. As a pastor, I’ve made impassioned pleas for Christ-followers to rise above our culture… to resist the temptation for the holiday season to be simply another opportunity for us to be self-focused and self-indulgent. Thanksgiving isn't just about eating to the brink of explosion; shopping to the brink of bankruptcy; watching television to the brink of insanity. I've tried to make the point that Thanksgiving for a person who loves God can be so much more.

Even so, I discovered in my own life that despite what I've preached, I have missed a crucial element in the process of being a thankful follower of Jesus in my own life. I found that over the years I have been mostly thankful for the THINGS in my life; for food, finances, the house I have lived in, the clothes I have worn, and so on. While there’s nothing wrong with being thankful for these things, I have missed the boat on giving thanks for the biggest blessings of God in my life…PEOPLE.

Consider how empty, purposeless, and meaningless our lives would be without relationships. Relationships have shaped who we are and who we are becoming. Without exception, everyone I know has been positively influenced by other people. While it is easy to thank God for the THINGS in our lives, we should remember to be equally thankful for the PEOPLE God has placed in our lives as well!

Let me give you just one example. I am thankful for my Aunt Patty. She had suffered a brain injury when she was a small child severe enough that by the time I was born, she had become mentally disabled. But, when I was a child, she would play games and entertain me for hours. She loved me unconditionally. We would play Beatles records and pretend to be Paul McCartney and John Lennon. It was her love for music that infected my soul for the rest of my life. I thank God for her!

How about you? Who do you thank God for? Today, take a few moments and thank God for the relationships in your life. Truthfully, it can revolutionize your life. Happy Thanksgiving!

GOING DEEPER:

1. Make a list of the people who have shaped your life. Share the list with your friends and family.

2. How easy is it to just thank God for things in your life? How can you live a lifestyle of thankfulness more consistently?

FURTHER READING:

[Psalms 150; Philemon 1]

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Prayer:

Father,

          Thank You for the reset in our lives - a time to focus on being grateful. Keep us ever mindful that the important things in life are not things; they are people and our relationships with them. Lord, YOU are the most important relationship we have and we are SO grateful that You first loved us. Help us to live our lives with grateful hearts, not hateful ones. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Extol the Lord God

I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!

Psalm 116:1-2 NLT

Death wrapped its ropes around me; the terrors of the grave overtook me.
I saw only trouble and sorrow.
Then I called on the name of the Lord: “Please, Lord, save me!”
How kind the Lord is! How good he is! So merciful, this God of ours!
The Lord protects those of childlike faith; I was facing death, and he saved me.
Let my soul be at rest again, for the Lord has been good to me. 

He has saved me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.
And so I walk in the Lord’s presence as I live here on earth!
I believed in you, so I said, “I am deeply troubled, Lord.”
In my anxiety I cried out to you, “These people are all liars!”
What can I offer the Lord for all he has done for me?
I will lift up the cup of salvation and praise the Lord’s name for saving me.
I will keep my promises to the Lord in the presence of all his people.

Prayer:

Father,

         You care deeply when Your loved ones die. O Lord, we are Your servants; yes, we are  Your servants, born into Your household; You have freed us from our chains. We will offer You a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord. We will fulfill our vows to You, Lord, in the presence of all Your people - in the house of the Lord, in the heart of Jerusalem. Praise the Lord and Amen!

Psalm 116:3-19

I Love the Lord sung by Alicia Williamson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuAhAWXyfkY