Daily Devotions

Posts tagged “turkey

Thanksgiving as a Lifestyle

Why not a LIFESTYLE of THANKSGIVING? This Thanksgiving, may our hearts and minds be so turned to awareness of our Lord and to the giving of thanks to our Lord, that if He were to send in among us “angels unawares” (Heb.13:2), they would witness people who know the righteous God that they know, in the way that they know Him and honor Him. May such messenger/observers witness our living out our thanks rather than vocalizing it occasionally. 

4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, BUT RATHER GIVING OF THANKS…  

6 Let no one deceive you with empty words… 

8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord…

10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 

11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness…

15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 

18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 

19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 

20 GIVING THANKS ALWAYS for all things to God the Father in the name of our LORD JESUS CHRIST… (EPH.5:4-20, NKJV) 


Can You Hear Thanksgiving in Your Memory?

A while back I walked into the kitchen and I said to Kathy, “That smells like Thanksgiving!”. As I walked in, I experienced a wide range of sensory connections with Thanksgiving. The smell of spices and basting meat and the odors of baking coming out of the oven filled my senses. But I also began to hear things. As memories of Thanksgivings-come-and-gone stirred in my mind, I could hear the sounds of those gatherings, those loved ones, those children, those songs, that worship—in my memory. Kathy couldn’t hear any of it but I could hear many things all at once. I had to just stand there for a minute or two, not focusing on anything in the room but looking with my memory into those sights and sounds that had been cherished and stored away in valuable files of my heart. Then, even as I write now, hot tears filled my eyes and my heart raced up at the peace and joy and delight all those sounds and people in my memory brought to me. I didn’t even realize that I had tucked those precious memories away so many years ago. But the loving atmosphere, the loving people, the lovely ambiance and delicious foods all impacted my senses then for a delightful, sensory and welcome release now. No camera could have accomplished what those pleasant experiences wrought, for they were drawn up out of the well of cherished ones and cherished things in my heart. And for a brief time they were all there, all real and all so lovely once again. I am so thankful for a rich heritage, deeply meaningful relationships and for cherished memories that still impact me today. May this Thanksgiving bring to you sights and sounds and smells that pleasantly soothe you and heal you, and may they all bring you to a fresh place of rest in our Lord.  (Prov.10:7a, Amp) ”The memory of the righteous [person] is a blessing,”.

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Give Thanks

givingthanks
Give thanks with a grateful heart

Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son
And now let the weak say, “I am strong”
Let the poor say, “I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us”
Give Thanks. (Don Moen, “Give Thanks”)


Why not a LIFESTYLE of THANKSGIVING?

Why not a LIFESTYLE of THANKSGIVING? This Thanksgiving, may our hearts and minds be so turned to awareness of our Lord and to the giving of thanks to our Lord, that if He were to send in among us “angels unawares” (Heb.13:2), they would witness people who know the righteous God that they know, in the way that they know Him and Pilgrim Thanksgivinghonor Him. May such messenger/observers witness our living out our thanks rather than vocalizing it occasionally. 

4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, BUT RATHER GIVING OF THANKS… 
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words…
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord…
10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.
11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness…
15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,
19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,
20 GIVING THANKS ALWAYS for all things to God the Father in the name of our LORD JESUS CHRIST… (EPH.5:4-20, NKJV)