In these challenging days we are living, with chaos and uncertainties, it can be hard to be thankful. I recently read the above quote which spoke to me deeply:
As soon as I read those words, I felt a nudge to do these days leading up to Thanksgiving with intention.
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“He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples.” (Luke 22:19, NLT)
In reading the verse a few times, I noticed that Jesus took the bread, gave thanks, and then broke it.
He did not disperse it until He had given thanks.
We have been given so many blessings of varied types and sizes. Let’s ask ourselves this question – how many did we enjoy or partake of, before giving thanks?
We want to develop the habit of giving thanks before we have enjoyed or consumed the blessing.
If Jesus felt compelled to give thanks, how much more should we? What are you grateful for in this moment?
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“But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God.” (Psalm 50:23, NLT)
Why do you think a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors God?
Looking at giving thanks in light of the above question was interesting. It’s hard to be thankful when facing a challenging or painful situation.
It takes sacrifice on our part, a determination to worship God and be grateful, in the midst of the pain. To give thanks when we have not received the answer or had our situation change yet.
It’s that one word – yet – that shines the light on the hope. We have yet to receive, and in giving our sacrifice of thanks, we show our trust in God even as we wait.
We keep to His path, His ways, knowing He will bring salvation.
In this moment, I am so grateful for songs which cause my heart to worship, to be filled with praise. And this is the one which I found myself humming.
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“And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you.” (Matthew 26:27, NASB)
Here we find Jesus giving thanks once again, yet shared a little differently.
Jesus gave thanks for the bread, broken for the sins of the world.
Jesus also gave thanks for the wine, which represents the blood of Jesus, shed for the forgiveness of sins – our sins.
Communion, a most profound and sacred time in our church services. It is done in community while at the same time, done individually.
Corporate yet personal.
Jesus repeatedly shows us to give thanks.
Lord, today we give thanks personally for Your broken body and blood poured out for the forgiveness of our sins. May we not forget Your mercy and grace towards us. Thank You for sacrificing Yourself, long before we even knew the depths to which we would need You. In Your Name we pray, Amen.
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What are you grateful for in this moment?
Image by congerdesign from Pixabay
Today I may be joining … Tell His Story
the thankful heart is our best antidote to worry and hand-wringing and the quickest way out of the pit. i had to learn this the hard way. it was a much needed lesson. thanks for putting this on the table, Joanne …
right now? i’m grateful to rise early this morning, to enjoy writing and reading and sitting quietly near the fire.
I am with you, Linda, with the early morning, reading, quietly sitting, and coffee. Such a soothing way to start the day.
Thanks for sharing these passages that aren’t usually the first ones that come to mind about thanksgiving. Gratitude is infused throughout the Scriptures.
Right now, I’m thankful for God’s Word, a warm house and working furnace, healthy and filling food, my husband’s ongoing healing from surgery, and the fact that we can bring everything in prayer to a loving and capable Father.
I am so glad your husband is healing and making progress. It’s the little things that often bring the most joy and gratitude.
So much to give thanks for!
Work to do and the strength to do it!
People who put up with me!
Every day grace!
Amen to every day grace!
Hmm… why is thankfulness/giving thanks beforehand so difficult? For me, giving thanks is my recognition that everything comes from God. My talent, my health, my life, all of it is because God allows it. Giving thanks says, “God, you are in control and I surrender my all to you.” Not always easy for us humans to say.
J.D., every good and perfect gift comes from our Father. So grateful He is in control and over us all.
I was reading today that when we give thanks, even when we don’t feel thankful, our mindset changes from overwhelm to peaceful gratitude. I love how Jesus shows to give thanks first, and then consume. He knows our minds are clearer and more open when we are first grateful.
“He knows our minds are clearer and more open when we are first grateful.” Amen, Lynn.
Joanne, music lifts me like little else. Thank you for sharing two great songs.
I so agree, Diana. Music, a song, always comes to mind after I read a portion of Scripture.
And we have SO many things to be thankful for. Thanks for this reminder to always be grateful.
We truly do, Lisa. May our hearts swell with gratitude.
Joanne, I love that Spurgeon quote and have never heard it before. Your words for this article also give so much insight to our example in Jesus for giving thanks. God bless!