Some time ago my wife challenged each member of our family to share three things for which we were grateful each night as we went to bed. It is easy to say the same things again and again (and hope that no one “steals” your list first!). The exercise was good for our home and for my own heart. I would recommend it to you and your family!

One thing that I have noticed about many of our thanksgiving lists is that they often concentrate more on the material than they do the spiritual.

I am grateful for God’s provision – food, clothing, and the beautiful place He has allowed us to live. Yet we must never forget that the greatest realities for a Christian are spiritual! Your thanksgiving list reveals what is truly important to you. Praise reveals your priorities.

This year I am taking my list directly from Scripture. God’s Word not only gives substance to our prayers, it gives depth to our praise. The apostles are now giving their thanks directly to God in heaven, but we can join them in giving thanks for what the Lord has done for all of us…

1. I thank God for His “unspeakable” gift of grace to me.

“Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift” (2 Cor. 9:15).

2. I thank God for putting me into the ministry.

“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry” (1 Tim. 1:12).

3. I thank God for giving me the victory through Christ.

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:57).

“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ…” (2 Cor. 2:14)

“O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 7:24-25).

4. I thank God for the precious family and friends He has given us around the world.
   

“(I) cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers” (Eph. 1:16).

“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you” (Phil. 1:3).

5. I thank God for the spiritual stirring I see in churches across our country at this time.

“I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 1:4).

“We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith growth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth” (2 Thess. 1:3).

6. I thank God for souls being saved and the advancement of the gospel.

“But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered unto you” (Rom. 6:17).

“For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God” (1 Thess. 3:8-9).

7. I thank God that the best is yet to come.

“Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen” (Rev. 7:12).

Imagine the “Thanksgiving Day” we will celebrate together when we all gather around the Lord’s throne!

What a table will be spread…

What a family will be gathered…

What thanks will be given!

We have much for which to thank God in these days, but the best is yet to come.

Spend a few moments today meditating on Scriptures that express the goodness of God in your life. Turn God’s Word into thanksgiving. May God bless you with the most spiritual and special Thanksgiving ever.

I thank God for each of you,

You may also enjoy reading “Top of the List: Why Was Jesus Thankful.”