The unique American holiday of Thanksgiving is a fine opportunity to remember God’s goodness and to count our blessings. While this ought to be a daily activity, to save us from dissatisfaction, murmuring, and sour attitudes, some get their thankfulness ramped up during this time.
The Missus and I are thankful to have touched 14 states in the last month, traveling 3,417 miles and sleeping in some 10 different beds. (Last Saturday alone, we spent 13 hours on the road.) We’ve seen family, friends, and faithful saints. We’ve spoken to several congregations, usually about Colossians 1.28-29 and salient points of our work in Brazil.
In the first century, Roman roads and shipping lanes facilitated travel and the spread of the gospel, but they had nothing like today’s easy and fast movement of automobiles and airplanes. (Still true even with the air travel problems during the recent government shutdown.)
We’ve had some challenges during this compressed time period, but they too have generated reasons for gratitude.
During this time, I’ve been able to maintain the daily reflections in Portuguese for some of our people back home (see irmaos.org).
Last week we spent a few days with our children and grandchildren. (See photo below.)
So many good things. But it’s not always that way. How do we prolong the grateful spirit?
Here are a few thoughts to turn every day into Thanksgiving day.
- Today is a good day, no matter what happens because God rules, loves, blesses, and guards.
- Today is a hopeful day, because the Lord promises eternal life to all who keep the faith.
- Today is a peaceful day, no matter the turmoil out there, because Christ is our peace and he stills every storm.
- Today is a lovely day, because the beauty and glory of this creation reflects the nature of God, even in the midst of mankind’s ugliest sins.
- Today is a victorious day, because in spite of the vileness of enemies and the railings of evil men, the Cross of Christ purifies, sanctifies, and guarantees the final outcome of our life.
- Today is a satisfying day, because the many blessings of the Lord provide for every need.
- Today is a joyful day, because salvation causes rejoicing and sustains it through the storms, until the end.
Thanksgiving is a decision. Filtering out the bad in order to hold fast to what is good requires effort, 1 Thessalonians 5.21. But it’s worth it.
We can worry ourselves to death, die from complaints in the desert, revolt against the hand we were dealt. Or we can recognize the hard facts of human evil, reject the way of the world, and seek the God who is seeking us.
The breakthrough comes when we enter into Christ and live the new reality of inner blessing.
That’s something to be thankful for.
- Thanksgiving every day - 2025-11-24
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