During this Thanksgiving season it is important to remember the goodness and faithfulness of our Wonderful Lord. No matter the difficulty of our trials and valleys in life, there is always something for which to be thankful. I personally have faced many tragedies, disappointments and losses during my lifetime and the only way I found to restore hope was to begin giving God thanks for the simplest things.

During my times of devastating loss as the dark cloud of depression arrived, the only way I survived was to grasp for reasons to be thankful. The choice was mine – to choose to give thanks for the common everyday routine things, whether it be the ability to breathe, taste, see, smell, walk, feel, food to eat, clothes to wear, etc.

Giving thanks is not always the easiest habit to establish. However, the more aware we are of God’s blessings, (and acknowledge them) the more natural it becomes to offer thanks. An attitude of gratitude is one of the major keys to enjoying this life. Thankfulness totally changes your perception for the better. God’s blessings are all around us and the Lord loves it when we praise and thank Him.

When my children were smaller and got into loud squabbles with each other, part of their correction included instructions to be thankful. Say what?? Well, each one involved in the disagreement had to ask forgiveness and verbally share what they liked about the person they had just been screaming at. By the time they finished sharing, God’s peace would come in and they would reconcile. Sometimes a little grumpiness would still remain, (the flesh acting up) but overall their attitude was much improved. There were even times when tears would flow as they sincerely apologized.

Scripturally we are given many verses that encourage us to give thanks. If you are struggling today, look to our precious Lord, call out to Him knowing that He loves you and He cares. Jim Bakker Ministries and all of us here at Morningside pray that you will sense God’s presence and be encouraged by these scriptures. Also, at the end of this devotion there is a special song for you.

John 3:16-17 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” KJV

1 Chronicles 16:8-12 – “Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually. Remember his marvelous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;…” KJV

1 Chronicles 16:34 – “O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.”

Psalm 140:13—“Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence.”

Psalm 119:62 – “At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.”

Psalm 97:12 – “Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.”

1 Corinthians 15:57 – “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Colossians 3:17 – “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”

2 Corinthians 2:14 – “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ…,

God loves you. The Lord promises He will never leave you or forsake you! Gives thanks for who God is, what He has done and what He continues to do for His people.

GIVE THANKS!