Thanksgiving

"Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples." -Psalm 105:1

Take a deep breath. Inhale. Exhale. In this simple action you have taken oxygen out of the air, used it in your blood and all of your organ. Then you released carbon dioxide which was made by your body but not good for it. Dwell on this amazing process and the God who created it. We have so much to be thankful for! I think at our age we miss it a lot. Teens the world over are known for for always wanting more, for always being discontent, for being unthankful. Look around, why aren't we thankful?!
Deuteronomy 26:11 says "And you shall rejoice in all the good the Lord has given to you and your house, you, and the Levite, and the sojourner who is among you." When was the last time you rejoiced in ALL the good God has given you? Tonight, if you are able, go outside and look at the moon and stars. Look at the grass. Put your hand in cool water. These graces are everywhere! Think about all the people in your life: parents, siblings, extended family, friends, teachers, and leaders. The blessings are innumerable! Where did these blessings come from? In his all encompassing mercy, God gave us life. And not only life, but new life if you are a Christian! Oh the great goodness and mercy shown us! We deserve eternal punishment for the sins against God and he gives us pardon through the blood of his Son. "Praise is due to you O God, in Zion, and to you shall vows be performed."-Psalm 65:1
Sometimes though, it doesn't seem like he's being very gracious. When we're going through struggles it seems like God is ignoring us. Or just not hearing us. Psalm 31:1 says "How long O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?" the psalmist David is crying out to the Lord desiring a response, and then he goes back to Gods character and says in verses 5-6 "But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me." When times are tough we need to remember the same God who blesses us with sunlight and laughter also gives us storms and tears. James 1:17 says "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no shadow due to change." Sometimes the best gifts God could give us are trials. We are sanctified through trials.
Sanctification is growing more like Christ and that should be what we desire! James 1:2-4 says "Count it all joy my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have it's full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." So not only should we be thankful when everything is going our way, but we should also be exceedingly thankful that God is helping us to grow more like him through difficulties.
In the flesh, we are by nature, unthankful. Being unthankful breeds so many sins! Sins of coveting, jealousy, stealing, anger, strife, murder, lust, adultery. This disgusting list shows our depravity. We need ask Christ to make us a thankful people! Some practical ways to remind yourself to be thankful are to have a Thank You Journal. I dare you to write down ten things every day that you are thankful for. On a day when you feel especially unthankful, write down twenty! Another way is to have a Blessings Jar. This is a large glass jar that you fill with small slips of paper. On each one write down a specific answer to prayer. On December 31st opening the jar and reading through all the answered prayers has become a tradition at our home. Recording what God has done is a way that really makes you thankful! Psalm 102:18 says "Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord:..." In conclusion, be thankful ye saints, for the Lord has bountifully blessed us.

'"Say also, Save us O God of our salvation, and gather and deliver us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name, and glory in your praise. Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting!" Then all the people said "Amen!" and praised the Lord' 1 Chronicles 16:35-36