Thanksgiving | Thoughts About God

He Will Make a Way

Thoughts_About_God — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 08:57:47 +0000

Taxes, threat of terror attacks, illness and aging, finances, political conflicts, family relationships, church struggles, fears, insurance issues, air travel impositions, job loss, gasoline prices, war, injustice, death – these are just a few of the enemies most of us face daily. Yet, let me also tell you what the Lord has spoken to my soul:

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

The Lord doesn’t want us to simply possess a generalized peace, based on having no particular problems; nor does He plan to give us a slightly spiritual, yet human-sized kind of peace. If we follow the sequence of obedience He presents, His intention is to shelter us in His very own peace: the imperturbable peace of God.

The peace of God is the deep calm that envelops the thought processes of the Almighty. He is never anxious, always in command, never without a remedy. He sees the end from the beginning and views the needs of man from the position of unlimited resources and capabilities. He perceives the needs of His children with both compassion and confidence, for all things are possible for Him.

The peace He gives is not only from Him, it is an extension of Him – it is the very substance of His peace. It is God-sized peace. It is this divine fabric that He says will “guard [our] hearts and . . . minds in Christ Jesus.”
Amazing!

Many Verses Same Promise: Some may challenge my interpretation, but remember the Savior’s promise:

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful” (John 14:27).

Again, Paul says: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful” (Colossians 3:15).

These Scriptures and others reveal that there exists a place of refuge for us, a dimension guarded by God’s very peace, where we can abide. As we enter this realm of trust, the God of peace promises to actually crush Satan beneath our feet (Romans 16:20).

Give Peace A Chance

Of course, we must decide what realm shall preside over us. Thus, the Scripture says, “Let the peace of Christ rule,” and “Do not let your heart be troubled,” and “let your requests be known to God.” The word let speaks of choices we can make with realities that are at hand. Remember, even as circumstances begin to trouble your heart, you can retreat from fear. For the peace of God is also accessible. Take authority over your fretting, worrying attitude, for “it leads only to evildoing” (Psalm 37:8). Stand, instead, in faith upon the promises of God.

Peace is our shield and the Word of God our weapon. Therefore, capture negative, unbelieving thoughts that would magnify problems rather than magnify the Lord. Our Father knows what we have need of before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8).

Cease striving and know that He is God! If you are weary, come to Him and take His yoke upon you. You will find rest for your soul. Finally, recall Paul’s words to make our requests “with thanksgiving.” Many have been thinking too much and thanking too little. Therefore, let us cast our burdens upon the Lord, for He indeed cares for us. He will make a way.

by Francis Frangipane
Used by Permission

Francis Frangipane
info@frangipane.org
www.frangipane.org
www.icitc.org
www.arrowbookstore.com

Further Reading

• Overwhelmed by Negative Feelings?
• Fully Surrender to the Lord
• Salvation Explained

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Thankfulness (Lessons from a 5 Year Old)

Thoughts_About_God — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 07:06:20 +0000

“Coby, you have to be thankful,” is the line of conversation between my two grandsons that caught my attention. I listened as Domonic, the 5 year old, was attempting to teach his 3 year old brother a profound life lesson.

They were negotiating who should play with which toy. Domonic’s plan was to use the “Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Mo” rhyme to determine who should get the more desirable one. But before he used this as the solution to their disagreement, he coached his little brother, saying, “Coby, if you get the larger toy you have to be thankful. No complaining. You have to say thank you. If you get the smaller toy you have to be thankful. No complaining. You have to say thank you.” However well-meaning Domonic was, Coby did not appreciate the wisdom offered by his brother that day, but maintained, “I want this one.”

God has some similar advice for us. In fact, it is a command. In the letter to the Corinthians, Paul urges his readers, “Be thankful in all circumstances.” Thankful words come easily in the moments when we get what we want. It is a little more challenging in the difficult moments to respond with gratitude.

Being thankful in all situations is a step of faith. It is choosing to believe, in spite of the circumstances we’re facing, that God is wise, loving and has a good plan for us. When I make an attitude adjustment and choose to say “thank you” in the difficult moments, it moves my focus from one of complaining, at least in my heart, to anticipation of what God will do and how the circumstances will fit into God’s bigger plan.

“And we know that all thing work together for good to those who love God and are called for his purpose.” Romans 8:28

by Mike Woodard
used by permission

Learn more about knowing Jesus at: https://thoughtsaboutgod.com/four-laws/

Giving Thanks

Devotionals — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 07:06:02 +0000

“From them will come songs of thanksgiving and the sound of rejoicing. I will add to their numbers, and they will not be decreased; I will bring them honor, and they will not be disdained. “ Jeremiah 30.19

We were slightly hesitant as we drove to an economically lesser part of a strange country. We were there on mission to help refugees who fled from their neighbouring homeland. They appreciated our work to help them and one family invited us to their less than modest small apartment for dinner with the family.

Their home was impeccably clean, and they so welcomed us. While the husband was cooking over charcoal on a grill on the balcony, we visited with the wife and two ever so polite teenage sons. As we ate, they told us their story, how they fled their homeland on foot, each with a small child in one arm and a bag of belongings on the other. They left everything, but they gained freedom in a new land. They exuded thankfulness for what they had.

I listened with tears in my eyes, as I thought of all I had back home and thought of what it would be like to leave it all in order to be free. I have so much, and they have so little, but they had and were thankful for that which mattered…. Faith, family and freedom.

This week, all across America, families and groups will join to celebrate Thanksgiving. It is my most favorite holiday. No commercialism, no last minute shopping….. just family time together to stop and give thanks.

As Christians we should give thanks in all things, and at all times to God the father through Christ Jesus. He has given us all we have and saved us from our sin. Giving thanks is the least we can do.

Psalm 107:1 (NIV) -“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV) – “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 4:2 (NIV) – “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”

What will you thank God for this Thanksgiving?

By John Grant
Used by Permission

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Let Thanksgiving be the Habit of your Life

Thoughts_About_God — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 07:06:57 +0000

“He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.” Psalm 50:23

When everything is going well, it is easy to give thanks, but what happens when things are not going well? Is it possible to give thanks even then?

One of my patients in the Care Home where I worked taught me the sacrifice of thanksgiving. Mrs. Reimer had both of her legs amputated. After she healed, she had to learn to walk again. I would attach the crutches and help her stand. After taking a few steps, she’d flop back down on her bed and beam up at me, “Imagine me at ninety learning to walk again. Now that’s something!” I could hardly believe it! She saw humor in her situation! Instead of immersing herself in self-pity, Mrs. Reimer focused on what she could still do. She loved to crochet beautiful snowflakes that would adorn a Christmas tree. “If I make one snow flake a day I’ll have 365 to sell at the bazaar,” she said. And she did. I’ll have some of her snowflakes on my Christmas tree!

Why is thanksgiving so important?

It acknowledges God in the situation.

When things go wrong the last thing we want to do is give thanks. But it’s the most beneficial. Thanksgiving prepares the way for God’s salvation to come in. He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God (Psalm 50:23)

“Give thanks in all circumstances,” Paul writes “for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

God can do anything with a thankful heart, but He can do little for a complaining one. It is closed to his grace.

Dear Father, thank you that you are with me and working all things together for good.

By Helen Lescheid
Used by Permission

I’m Thankful For

Thoughts_About_God — Mon, 26 May 2025 07:06:39 +0000

“Oh LORD God Almighty! Where is there anyone as mighty as you, Lord.” Psalm 89:8

I am extremely grateful for our God’s magnificent creation. I never cease to be amazed at the thousands of varieties of birds, flowers, trees, leaves, rocks and plants. I love gazing at different mountain ranges such as the Rocky Mountains in Western Canada in all their grandeur or the mountains of California and Arizona with their varying shadows. I love quiet streams; gushing waterfalls; rivers; lakes; and oceans. I am continually amazed at the way God controls the oceans and how he allows the tides to come inland just so far and then it has to retreat again.

We read in Isaiah 42: 12
“Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, And marked off the heavens by the span, And calculated the dust of the earth by the measure, And weighed the mountains in a balance And the hills in a pair of scales.”

When I consider that all the water in the world can fit in God’s hand, I know he is a BIG God.

My job keeps me in front of a computer for most of the day and my husband, Marvin, has made a wonderful garden for me just outside my office window. I get to enjoy rhododendrons, hydrangea, azaleas, and many other flowers while I am working. He has also placed the bird feeder within my view.

One morning, last winter, after a heavy snowfall, I filled up the bird feeder and the birds were so happy. They proceeded to put on a real show for me – flitting from one branch to another and then back to the feeder.

Many different birds visit us and although I love them all humming birds have always made me stop what I am doing to watch them. They are amazing:

They fly forward, backward, shift sideways, stop in midair.
They can beat their wings 60 to 200 times per second.
They lap nectar with their tongues (some say that their tongue is like a straw).
They can fly up to 60 miles an hour.
They live 5 -6 years in the wild.
They are the smallest bird in the world.
They consume, on average, half their weight in sugar each day.
Some of them migrate 600 miles to a warmer climate.

When I see these little birds with their magnificent iridescent colors, I am reminded of how wonderful and majestic and amazing our God is. And because He has created so many wonders for us to enjoy here on earth, I know they are but a taste of what He has in store for us in heaven. For this I am so thankful.

Father, I am so thankful for the wonders of your creation. Thank you that you didn’t create the world in black and white or without sounds and smells. I love you God, because you are so great and so kind. Amen.

by Katherine Kehler
used by permission

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The Things We Take for Granted

Devotionals — Thu, 03 Apr 2025 07:03:53 +0000

“When things are going well for you, be glad, and when trouble comes, just remember: God sends both happiness and trouble; you never know what is going to happen next.” – Ecclesiastes 7:14

Life is full of the unexpected. You never know what is going to happen next. I knew it was going to be a challenging day when I saw water bubbling up by the sidewalk in front of our house.

We were without water for a time. It helped me to remember the importance of having clean water, or for that matter, any water in our home. I wanted to wash my hands and then brush my teeth, but both required water. We ended up going out for dinner because water was need for cooking. And, the list goes on and on.

All of this caused me to pause and think of all the things in life that I take for granted without thought or thanks, like starting with waking up in the morning.

God has given us so much. Most of what we have, we take for granted, that is until it is lost and then becomes very important. Paul says it so plainly in Ephesians 2:11-12:

But don’t take any of this for granted. It was only yesterday that you outsiders to God’s ways had no idea of any of this, didn’t know the first thing about the way God works, hadn’t the faintest idea of Christ. You knew nothing of that rich history of God’s covenants and promises in Israel, hadn’t a clue about what God was doing in the world at large.

Do you have a clue or stop to think about what God is doing in the world and in your life? God has given us so many blessings that are too often taken for granted. Of these many blessings from God, there are some that He gives to everyone. Other blessings come from a rich and personal relationship of knowing Jesus is my Lord and Savior because I believe He died on the cross for my sins. I repented of my sins and was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of my sins and now I have the blessing of receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Do you tend to pray comfortable prayers, like Thank you for another day, or please help so and so, or help me be more like you? Do you approach God with a sense of habit and familiarity. These aren’t bad things to pray and, in many respects, comfort with God is a good thing.

But sometimes I wonder: Am I too comfortable with God? Am I taking God for granted? In my mundane, daily prayers, have I lost sight of who God really is?

Ask yourself today if you are taking God’s blessings for granted.

By John Grant
Used by Permission

John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney

FURTHER READING

Love’s Uncomfortable

Uncomfortable Love

The Path of Most Resistance

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More than Gratitude

Thoughts_About_God — Thu, 28 Nov 2024 09:01:09 +0000

Becky had often heard the little saying, “have an attitude of gratitude“, and for the most part she did. She could count her blessings and generally found a thankful spirit.

But this – there was no thankfulness in this! Her “attitude of gratitude” could find nothing for which to be thankful for. If she were not careful her heart could slip into despair and yes, even bitterness.

She didn’t feel like reading her Bible but she picked it up and flipped through it. Her eyes fell on a familiar verse she had highlighted with:

“In everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”.
1 Thessalonians 6:18

It seemed to hit her with new clarity. It said “in everything” not “for everything“. She pondered the thought. If she could not be thankful for this particular circumstance, what did it mean to be thankful in it?

When we ask sincere questions as we grow in our faith, with hearts hungry to understand God’s ways, the Holy Spirit shows us the answer.

Thoughts tumbled in her mind that she could be thankful for God’s faithfulness to her. As she recalled times past when life seemed out of control, she recalled God’s steadying hand on her and how His strength had carried her in difficult times.
(Matthew 11:28)

She could be thankful that God promised to work things out for good, yes; she had seen His hand bring good out of the most troubling things. (Romans 8:28)

With fresh realization her heart grew a bit lighter as she saw what God meant – be thankful in her circumstance because she knew the God who was bigger than any problem and He would be faithful to help her, His child.

Prayer & reflection:

Father God, I truly am thankful for my blessings. But it is quite another thing to be thankful in the hard times and with the unanswered questions of life. Thank you for understanding it is not easy for me. Thank you for showing me that when I can’t be thankful for the hard stuff, You remind me to just be thankful in the hard stuff – for it is in the hard stuff where Your character of faithfulness will be proven over and over to me. Thank you for the confidence that You will see me through. Help me to lean hard on Your strength, and wisdom and care. Thank you that You will build a track record in my life through Your faithfulness. You enable me to be thankful in hard times because You are my God and You can be trusted with my life – even in the hard stuff! In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

by Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

Be Thankful in All Circumstances

Devotionals — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 09:01:18 +0000

“In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:18)

“..singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, the Father.” (Ephesians 5:20)

“..singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. and whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” (Colossians 3:16-17)

“at midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God…
suddenly there was a great earthquake..” (Acts 16:25-26)

In the end times, ingratitude will characterize many people. People in general will become more wicked and less grateful.

“For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy.” (2 Timothy 3:1-2)

“although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” (Romans 1:21)

People will complain about their circumstances, hoping for some “lucky break” to help him. With a big ego, he thanks himself for who he is, thinking that everything comes from his own efforts. The thankless person despises the idea of grace.

It is sad to see Christians who always seem to be stressed out, dissatisfied, depressed, and unhappy about their circumstances. Are we giving thanks to God every day for His grace?

“God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.” (2 Corinthians 9:8)

As Vonette Bright said, “When we express thanksgiving and gratitude to God, peace flooded our hearts, and He provided the solution. Always be thankful…especially in crisis. God can turn your tragedy to triumph, discord to harmony, and defeat to victory.”

In the Old Testament (Leviticus 3:1-17; 7:11-36), thank offerings and peace offerings were to remind God’s people of their need to be thankful to God.
They would bring a sheaf of grain and some oil and wine as thank offerings.
These were symbols of the Lord’s provision, a reminder to thank Him
for His grace and mercy in supplying all they have.

by Joshua Chin Hong Lim
used by permission

Thanksgiving and Prayer

Devotionals — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 09:01:29 +0000

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Have you ever noticed how often thanksgiving and prayer are mentioned together in the Bible? In the same breath that Paul encourages us to “pray continually,” and also says we should “give thanks in all circumstances”. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17) Author Paul E. Miller, in his book A Praying Life (pg. 89-90), collected over a dozen verses where the apostle Paul explicitly connects thanksgiving and prayer. Here is a sample:

”Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6

”We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers.” 1 Thessalonians 1:2

“I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayer.” 2 Timothy 1:3

“I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers.” Philemon 1:4

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Colossians 4:2

Prayer itself sometimes will be a struggle, as Paul admits when he explains how Epaphras has been struggling in prayer for their friends in Colossi. (Colossians 4:12) However, by always praying with thanksgiving, we can remain encouraged by remembering what God has done and what He promises He will continue to do. By matching prayer of thanksgiving with prayer of intercession, we will not be weighed down by the prayer needs of others (or ourselves) but instead will balance these needs with the assurance of how God has already provided and will continue to provide for us. In this way, we can, as Paul also encourages,

“be joyful always.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16)

Even when we are praying for help in the midst of deep distress and struggle, give thanks to the God who has sustained and will sustain us always!

What are you thankful for today? What would you like to ask God for, in a spirit of thanksgiving?

By Darren Hewer
used by permission

FURTHER READING

Be Joyful!

The Secret to a Joyful Life – by McKenna Vietti

Be Joyful Always – by Phil Ware

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Choosing Thankfulness

Thoughts_About_God — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 09:01:21 +0000

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.” 1 Peter 1:6

Overnight, Dawn Hall was forced to become the financial provider for her family. Her first task was to find a way to pay for her husband’s experimental cancer treatments. Surgery could not remove all his cancerous brain tumors.

Oh, dear one, Satan tries to rob us of our joy in Christ when we face tough trials. But Dawn found solace in meditating on God’s Word and praying. She released her tears and frustrations to God. And using Dawn’s love of cooking, God opened the door for her to sell cookbooks. Through it all, God blessed and grew her cooking career and speaking ministry.

Dawn says that

“thankfulness is an attitude we choose to have. It’s not based on what we have or where we are in life.”

Yes, friend, as you face life’s challenges, choose thankfulness. It’s a choice with no regrets.

by Vonette Bright
used by permission

FURTHER READING

Always be Joyful!

I am Thankful for…

Unexpected Opportunity to be Thankful – Thankful for having cancer? For Herb Buller, yes.

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Gratitude

Devotionals — Tue, 05 Nov 2024 09:01:04 +0000

Gratitude gets us through the hard stuff!

To reflect on your blessings is to rehearse God’s accomplishments. To rehearse God’s accomplishments is to discover his heart! To discover his heart is to discover not just good gifts but the Good Giver. Gratitude always leaves us looking at God and away from dread. The apostle Paul said,

“Give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20 NLT).

The surest path out of a slump is marked by the road sign, Thank you. But what of the disastrous days? Grateful then? Jesus was. “On the night when he was betrayed,” Scriptures says,

“the Lord Jesus took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it” (1 Corinthians 11:23-24 NLT).

How often do you see the words betrayed and thanks in the same sentence—much less in the same heart? Give thanks…and see what happens.

By Max Lucado
Used by permission.

From: God is With You Every Day
To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:
https://maxlucado.com/about/

Peace and Thanksgiving

Thoughts_About_God — Sat, 12 Oct 2024 08:03:05 +0000

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15)

We live in a world that often produces within us the very opposite of peace.

Our stress and busyness is a normal response to the rush and cares of the day. Yet God calls us to something higher. He calls us to peace.

Is peace ruling your heart today? It can. When you and I first believed that Jesus is the Son of God and opened our hearts to receive His forgiveness and power in our lives we were given the gift of God’s peace. Do you recall receiving that peace? It’s a peace that is unexplainable and peace that remains even as life and the news of the day swirl around us.

Yet it’s easy to loose our grasp on that wonderful gift. It’s offered afresh to us every morning as one of His great mercies toward us.

•   We need His peace to calm our hearts in challenging days.
•   His peace brings health to our minds and our bodies.
•   Living with peace in our hearts honors God.
•   Our peace helps point others who are looking for peace to God.

His peace is free for the taking. God tells us how. Listen again to the wonderful words of life from His word:

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…”

It sounds like it’s a choice. I can let peace rule or I can let peace get buried at the bottom of all those other responses to life. Just how does one go about letting peace rule the heart? God tells us one of the basic steps to walking in peace. He always gives the “how to” when He asks something of us. Catch the often-overlooked words that this verse ends with: “and be thankful”.

Choosing to look at your day and your circumstances and your life with a heart that is filled with gratitude will open the door to peace. Yes, it’s true.

Life is not perfect anywhere on this planet. There are challenges both large and small that come to each one of us. Each challenge has the potential to rob our peace. Yet as we choose to be thankful to God in the midst of those challenges His peace will begin to rule our hearts.

Yes, it can sound trite especially if you are walking in a deep and challenging place today but the principle is sure. It is foundational to a heart that is ruled with peace. “And be thankful.”

If it feels impossible to be thankful where you stand right now ask God to help you to say “thank you” to Him that He alone can give you peace. Thank Him for His love and His care and His power to lead you today through the maze of your life. He will help you as you choose gratitude today and let peace rule your heart.

Prayer of action:

Father God, so often my heart finds it easier to see the things that I am not thankful for. Open my eyes and my heart to having a new attitude of gratefulness to You.

Help me today to enter into each part of my day as doing what is in front of me for You and as one representing You. Help me to be keenly aware of all the places today that I can offer You my thanksgiving as I choose this day to LET Your peace rule my heart. Fill my mind with the things You bring to my life: Your strength, Your power, Your help and Your love. Thank you that You will help me choose well what rules my heart today. I choose Your peace. In the strong name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Questions: What are you thankful for? How can you be more thankful?

by Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission