Happy Thanksgiving 2025

 Happy Thanksgiving 2025

Can I be honest? Every year, we should be thankful daily, not just on one special day. We read things like this.

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

And also here in the Psalms

“Praise the Lord!
Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever! “ Psalm 106:1

We should know and understand this.

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

Yes, I get it. I’m sure some of you get it. But have you really gotten it? I’m not talking about making a list, which I have done, of things I’m thankful for.

My life to life everlasting.
My family. Wife and children.
The ability to serve in the kingdom.
My Freedom.
My home.

You get the point. I really am thankful for all these things. But have I actually been? Here is what I mean. This may be difficult for you to understand because it is difficult for me to explain. I’m talking about being overtaken by thankfulness. I’m talking about thankfulness so profound it moves beyond a simple acknowledgment and becomes an all-consuming force. One that literally brought me to my knees. Is it just a reaction to good things, or is it a deeper, more spiritual feeling? I found it to be a deeper, more spiritual feeling.

Turn to Hebrews 12, starting at verse 27

“This phrase, 'Yet once more,' indicates the removal of things that are shaken--that is, things that have been made--in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:27-29

Does that seem like just saying thank you? I got a new job. Thank God. I got a new car. Thank God. Yes, of course, you should say thanks to God when something good comes your way. This is true because we do know that “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” However, we should feel “in awe” with just the fact that we are His child.

Someone asked, “How can I receive that ‘Indescribable Peace' that the Bible talks about?” Think about, meditate on, and fully understand who you are. Instead, focus on who your Father is. Turn to Colossians 3, starting at verse 12.

“Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved,”

Stop. Who is that describing? You. Me. God’s adopted children. As such, we need to put on, or have,

“compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”

No holding grudges. I understand that it is a hard one. Hard for me as well.

“And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”

Stop. Why should we do this? For no other reason than this. We exist. God created us. Then, on top of that, even though we were evil, doing evil things, He came and died for us, giving us access to life everlasting with Him.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

I propose that this refers to a genuine and all-encompassing force.

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3

There is nothing to compare to our very lives. “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” Mark 8:36. There is nothing that can compare to our next step following our time on earth. “ But, as it is written, 'What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him’-- these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:9-10

Yes. Of course. Of course, you should be thankful for all the things you receive in this life. Yes. Of course, you should be thankful for your spouse, children, home, job, stuff, and the like. However, in the long run, whose stuff will all that stuff be? Rather, in the end, whose will you be?

If you are a child of God, then you know you are His.

“Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:15

Can I encourage you to explore what truly makes you thankful? Is it just a reaction to good things, or is it a deeper, more spiritual feeling? Is it a simple acknowledgment or has it become an all-consuming force? When we're overwhelmed by it, we begin to see not only the blessings but also the challenges and hardships as part of a bigger, divinely guided story. It's about recognizing grace in all situations. Understanding, fully, Romans 8:26-28.

“Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”

Say it with me.

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

If you truly want to have this type of thankfulness, try one or more of these ideas.

Journaling: Writing down specific things we're thankful for each day.

Mindful Prayer: Focusing our prayers on gratitude rather than just requests.

Communal Acknowledgment: Share your thanksgiving. Encourage others to be thankful.

What happens when a person or a community is truly overtaken by thankfulness? The feeling becomes an action. It can lead to generosity, forgiveness, and a deep sense of peace that others might find confusing. Thankfulness doesn't just change our inner world; it changes how we interact with the world around us. It's a transformative force that can break down walls and heal old wounds.

As we gather with friends and family for this Thanksgiving meal, let’s take a moment to reflect more deeply than just saying, “Thank you, God, for our food. Amen!” Consider expressing gratitude for every breath you take, the memories you create, and, most importantly, for the peace of mind that comes from knowing what lies ahead after our time on earth.

Have a happy and safe Holiday, and I will see you Sunday.

May the comfort of the Holy Ghost and the peace of our Lord Jesus be with you all. May God bless and be with you always.

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!