A Prayer for Thanksgiving Day

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to 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 for 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 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.
 
I felt this devotion was fitting for today. I pray everyone has a beautiful Thanksgiving and I wanted to leave you with this thought for today. No matter how well you get along with the people you will be spending time with and no matter how stressful or inconvenienced you may be today do your best to relax, enjoy, and banish complaining from your being.  Time goes fast.  You get but one Thanksgiving per year and the older we get the fewer we have left.  Enjoy them, breathe them in, revel in them for everything they are and everything they are not. Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Thank You Jesus!
 
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
 
Today’s Reading is Psalm 107:1
 
 
 
 


Thanks be to God

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. (Psalm 100)

Let us all be thankful for our freedom and for our founding fathers who laid the God-fearing foundation for this great nation. But above everything else, let us not forget the One who made us. We are God’s people–we are His sheep and this nation is still His pasture. Take time today to give Him praise and thanksgiving for the true freedom that we have in His Son Jesus Christ. Make a joyful noise to the Lord! Pray for our nation today. As Christians, we should all be greatly concerned at how our lawmakers are turning away from God in their choices and decisions. God’s mercy is everlasting but there is a day of judgment coming. Pray that our nation will turn back to the Lord. One by one, as Christians, we can make a difference. Let’s start today.

What a great reminder, we as Christian’s must pray for our country and not be discouraged but encouraged. I couldn’t help but think of this scripture when I read this devotion, And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. Amen! What hope and until that soon coming day we must pray, pray, pray, for our country and our leaders. Making a difference starts with you and I. Join me today, by spreading love, joy and prayer.

Have a wonderful day in The Lord!

Today’s Reading is Psalm 100, 1 Cor. 1



Long Shadows

For the LORD is good; his mercy iseverlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. (Psalm 100:5)

Several years ago, my wife and I stayed in a rustic bed-and-breakfast in the remote Yorkshire Dales of England. We were there with four other couples, all British, whom we had never met before. Sitting in the living room with our after-dinner coffees, the conversation turned to occupations with the question “What do you do?” At the time I was serving as the president of Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, and I assumed that no one there knew of MBI or its founder, D. L. Moody. When I mentioned the name of the school, their response was immediate and surprising. “Of Moody and Sankey . . . that Moody?” Another guest added, “We have a Sankey hymnal and our family often gathers around the piano to sing from it.” I was amazed! The evangelist Dwight Moody and his musician Ira Sankey had held meetings in the British Isles more than 120 years ago, and their influence was still being felt.

I left the room that night thinking of the ways our lives can cast long shadows of influence for God—a praying mother’s influence on her children, an encouraging coworker’s words, the support and challenge of a teacher or a mentor, the loving but corrective words of a friend. It’s a high privilege to play a role in the wonderful promise that “His love . . . endureth to all generations” (Ps. 100:5).

Lord, help us to remember that while our lives are short, what we do for You now can have an impact long after we are home with You. Lead me today to invest in the lives of others. Amen.

I recently read this and it made me think, never take advantage of the influence you can make on those you come across for Christ in this life. Even in times when you think your not making a difference, be confident in knowing that God’s word will not return void but it will accomplish that for which He sent it. Be the messenger and allow Him to do the rest. What’s done for Christ will last.

Have a wonderful day in The Lord!

Today’s Reading is Psalm 100