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Give Thanks

This devotion appears on the Web page the week of Thanksgiving. Sometimes, we struggle at Thanksgiving. Life is harried. At times it seems that our needs are so significant that we feel overwhelmed. While we try to "get in the mood," we're asking ourselves, "Why?"

St. Paul speaks to us in this time with the following:

I Thessalonians 5:16-18
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. ”

No matter our circumstances, God wants us to be joyful. In the midst of events that harry and overwhelm us, we are never alone. God walks with us. If God is with us, who can be against us? How sad it is for those who lack faith and the knowledge that God is with them! We, on the other hand, always know that God is with us. Nothing can overcome us. Even illness and death can not overpower us! We have eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ, our Savior.

Pray all the time. Prayer is our means of talking with our loving Father about all that troubles us and all that gives us joy. Prayer is intimate communication. We unburden ourselves and we expand our joy. God uses His Word, the Bible, to mold us. When we pray and study the Word, the Holy Spirit shapes us and forms us into the servants He wants us to be. We are able to see more of God's hand of blessing, and less of the struggles that would threaten to overwhelm us.

Give thanks in all circumstances. When we see the joy of God's presence, the gift of eternal life in Jesus, the power of prayer and God's Word, we are able to give thanks in all circumstances. We know we are not alone. We know God turns all things to good. In time, we discover what good comes from every moment in our lives – even though we may have difficulty recognizing the good at a particular point.

This is God's will for us in Christ Jesus. God's will for us is a joy beyond all human understanding. God's will for us is prayerful communication and reflection. God's will for us is the thankful life that sees God as the provider of every good and perfect gift and the one who turns evil into good for people of faith.

We are forgiven, we have life forever. God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – sustain us in faith and life. For that we give thanks.

Heavenly Father, fill us with bountiful thanks for all the gifts You have given us, especially the gift of faith and the knowledge that You have all times and circumstances in Your hands. Bless us with joy, intimate communication with You, and thankfulness at all times. In the name of Christ we pray. Amen.