“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you.” — 1 Peter 1:3-4
In every language, people like to hear someone say “thank you.” In Spanish, “thank you very much” is “muchas gracias.” In French, it is “merci beaucoup.” In Swahili, it is “asante sana.” These words are music to our ears.
Though God is invisible, He also likes to hear us say “thank you very much” when we see things such as the sun shining, because we know God is providing light and warmth for people, trees, flowers and all living things.
When the Lord brought the Israelites safely across the Red Sea on dry ground, the people were amazed at God’s mighty works. “And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant. Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord: ‘I will sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted. … The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him'” (Exodus 14:31-15:2).
When families gather, it is important to keep on sharing the stories of the great things God did, is doing and will do. When we teach the younger generation about God, we help them develop a grateful heart. “Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts” (Psalm 105:1-2).
Whether we have a large gathering and big feast this Thanksgiving or not, we are blessed beyond measure if we know the Lord Jesus Christ as our best friend and God. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:3-4).
— Bill Kent, Pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, Sylvania, Georgia
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