IT IS GOOD TO GIVE THANKS!

It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
to sing praises to the Most High.
It is good to proclaim
your unfailing love in the morning,
your faithfulness in the evening.
Psalm 92:1-2 NLT
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Tradition has it that after the pilgrims had learned (with the help of the Indians) how to survive in this country they celebrated the harvest with grateful hearts. President Washington, as well as several other Presidents, made one-time Thanksgiving holidays. President Lincoln was the first to make it an annual observance on the last Thursday of November. In 1939 President Roosevelt set the fourth Thursday of November as our National Thanksgiving Day (approved by congress in 1941).

So last Thursday according to American tradition we observed Thanksgiving Day. Many families got together to catch up on the latest happenings in the lives of loved ones and feast on turkey and all the trimmings. It most likely was a good time of expressing gratitude for the good things the Lord has given this past year.

Our Scripture tells us, “It is good to give thanks to the Lord.” It is good and right because expressing thanks to Him honors and glorifies Him and acknowledges that HE is the source of the good things that we are enjoying. Sincerely giving thanks to the Lord not only pleases Him but it definitely has a very positive effect on our lives. It fills us with a sense of peace and an awareness of His favor, along with a desire to live close to Him.

Ingratitude on the other hand turns a cold shoulder to the Lord – taking for granted all the blessings that He so graciously gives. It’s an attitude which flows from a proud heart that feels it deserves all the good that happens in life and quickly grumbles and complains when anything unpleasant comes along. What an insult to a loving Father who consistently showers us with His unconditional love. And what a negative person, ingratitude turns us into – someone no one enjoys being around.

So it becomes quite obvious that expressing thanks to the Lord is the way to go not only once a year on a National Holiday, but every day all day long. It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening. There is so much to be thankful for – spiritually – physically – materially - relationally and on and on. If we get to feeling a bit sorry for ourselves we need to be reminded that our Lord’s love endures forever, so whether we are on the mountain or the valley - It is (always) good to give thanks to the Lord!!


The song FOREVER by Chris Tomlin will stir your heart to give thanks.

GOD NEVER CHANGES

“Whatever is good and perfect
comes down to us from God our Father,
who created all the lights in the heavens.
He never changes
or casts a shifting shadow.”
James 1:17 NLT
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In the last four or five weeks we have observed major changes in our surroundings. From temperatures in the 80’s to hard frost, and even snow for some of you further north. Leaves on trees have changed from lush green to golds, reds and browns, and have been falling for some time now. It would truly be sad if this were the end, but we know fall is followed by winter, and winter is followed by spring, and eventually it will be summer again. Why does this happen year after year? Because, God said, “Let lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night. Let them mark off the seasons, days, and years.” Genesis 1.

In relation to the earth, the sun is fixed in place. The earth revolves around the sun once every 365 days and as a result we experience day and night every 24 hours, and the four seasons every year. The changing shadow on the sundial is not an indication that the sun is moving, rather it shows that the earth is moving.

In a sense, God is like the sun. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. If His light is hidden from us, and we find ourselves in the dark, it indicates that we have allowed the “world” to come between us and Him. When we experience spiritual “winter” it is because we have turned our face from Him.

God has always been good and perfect and will eternally remain the same. Every good and perfect thing that happens to us has its origin in Him – whether He uses people, nature or supernatural means, it ultimately is from Him. He can even use our spiritual “nights” and “winters” brought about by our carelessness and bring good out of them - if we acknowledge our errors and turn back to Him.

Our wonderful God never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He has been and will always be - loving, merciful, patient, and forgiving. No matter what we are going through, we can count on Him to be faithful! He doesn’t change!! ”In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens….. They will perish, but you remain forever. They will wear out like old clothing. You will fold them up like a cloak and discard them like old clothing. But you are always the same.” Hebrews 1.

Listen to the song HE NEVER CHANGES and let it bless your heart.