Devotions ... Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is such an integral part of our lives as believers.  Thanksgiving is one of the gates to God’s presence in the throne room (Psalm 100:4 and Isaiah 60:18).
The sacrifice of praise we offer God continually is the fruit or words of our lips giving thanks to his name (Hebrews 13:15).
God’s will in Christ Jesus concerning us is to give thanks to God in everything (1 Thessalonians 5:18) preventing circumstances from defining our measure of faith (Romans 12:3).
As problems, burdens, worries arise, we lift our requests before the Lord our God.  And, by faith as the words depart our lips, we respond to the answers anticipated with the joy of thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6 – 7). We receive the answers to our prayers the moment we express them to God, (Daniel 10:12) and HIS PEACE which passes all understanding keeps our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  We wait patiently with confidence that the manifestation of our answers and patience has her perfect work; we become perfect, mature, entire, complete, lacking NOTHING.
We need never fear any food offered to us as we visit people who offer hospitality to us (Luke 10:8) since every creature of God is good and nothing is to be refused if we receive it with thanksgiving for it is sanctified by the word of God and our prayer (1 Timothy 4:3 – 5).  Jesus gave his example of giving thanks before taking into our bodies any food, and in so doing, the food multiplied with plenty of nourishment for all (John 6:11).  Even before Jesus broke the bread at the last supper, he gave thanks for it.  By thanksgiving the bread of life multiplied, and there is plenty for all (Mark 14:23, Luke 22:19, 1 Corinthians 11:24 and others).
We help those who don’t know our God when we magnify Him (Psalm 69:30) by giving thanks to Him among them (2 Samuel 22:50), calling upon his name and making known his deeds before them (1 Chronicles 16:8). Then they know God is good and his mercy is everlasting (1 Chronicles 16:34).
We thank God because He always gives us victory over the enemy through Jesus Christ our Lord (1 Corinthians 15:57).
From beginning to end, we are people of thanksgiving (Revelation 7:12) not just on a designated day but always.
(Cathy Bayert is pastor of Greybull First Baptist Church.)