Tuesday November 23, 2021

Today is Tuesday, November 23 and this week we explore what the Bible says about thanksgiving. I encourage you to continue adding things for which you are thankful to your “gratitude list.” Count your blessings.

As I approach this quiet time with God, I pause and become still. I breathe slowly and deeply, and focus on the Lord’s holy presence.

Pause and Pray

Loving God, I worship you in the quiet stillness of this day. Help me hear the unique message you have for me. Speak to me through the power of your Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

I praise God and worship him with the words of Psalm 30.

You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, so that my soul may praise you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever. Psalm 30:11-12 (NRSV)

Pause and Pray

God’s desire is for us to give thanks in all circumstances because God knows what is best for us. Medical professionals are discovering that grateful people have a health edge. Grateful people take better care of themselves and engage in healthy behaviors like regular exercise, a healthy diet and regular physical examinations. Gratitude helps manage stress, cope with daily problems and reduces anxiety. In some circumstances thankfulness can help relieve chronic pain and depression. Being thankful regardless of our circumstances is good for us! In his first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul ends his letter with a laundry list of suggestions for living in faith together with Christian believers. He encourages people to rejoice always, pray without ceasing and give thanks in all circumstances.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

I consider what this passage means for my life. Clearly, it is God’s will for me to give thanks in all circumstances. I reflect on my current circumstances. What is going well? In what do I readily rejoice? On the other hand, what is going poorly? What are my troubles and difficulties? Where do I experience pain or sorrow? What current circumstances do I regret? Is it possible for me to express thanksgiving in the midst of my difficult circumstances? I ponder what that might look like. The scripture invites me to rejoice always and pray continually. On an average day, I estimate the percentage of time I spend rejoicing, praying and expressing gratitude. I take time to add items to my “gratitude list” and I look for instances throughout the day for which I can be thankful despite my circumstances – a beautiful sunset, cool crisp weather, the laughter of a friend, delicious food to enjoy.

Ask: How can I become more aware of the blessings that surround me despite my circumstances? What can I do to grow in gratitude?

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord God, I pray to you and I rejoice in your goodness. Thank you for loving me so much that you want the best for me. I know it is your will for me to give thanks in all circumstances. You are a God of peace and I ask you to sanctify me through and through, soul and body. I know you are faithful and you will do it. I read Thessalonians again, listening for the message you have for me today.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

God is faithful and he will accomplish his will for me which is to live a life of joy, prayer and thanksgiving. I consider times when I have quenched the Holy Spirit of God, when I have neglected to grasp what is good, or failed to reject what is evil. What words from this passage resonate most deeply with my soul and reflect my current circumstances. Words like rejoice, thanks, good, peace, sanctify, blameless, faithful? Or words like complain, bemoan, quench, contempt, evil, blame, unfaithful, ungrateful, unappreciative? I am aware that I cannot change my heart like God can. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, God is the one who can sanctify me through and through creating a thankful heart in me that is full of peace and joy.

Pause and Pray

Come Holy Spirit, I invite you into my places of ingratitude and complaint. Reverse the negative emotions that suppress the joy of my spirit, create in me a new heart and put a right spirit within me. Sanctify me in your grace and show me the next steps for me to grow in maturity in the Christian life. Amen.

Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known his deeds among the nations; proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth. Isaiah 12:4-5 (NRSV)

As I leave this time of prayer and go throughout my day, I go with a grateful heart, giving thanks to God and finding tangible ways to express gratitude to the people around me. Amen.