I had the joy of leading chapel this morning.  I asked the students to share what they are thankful for.  It was fun seeing the many hands go up. Students were thankful for their pets, family members, their teachers, school, heat, and most importantly God.  The students were excited about sharing their thankfulness.  

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says “rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  Sometimes the devil would tell us that life is too hard to give thanks or that we are too busy to pray. The devil does not want us to be mindful of the gifts God has given to us and would much rather us feel distant from Him.  The verses following tell us differently. We are told in verses 19-22, “Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.” Paul is warning us here that the devil wants us to think and live differently; that we don’t need Jesus; that the Spirit is not important.  

This is the time of year we are especially reminded to be thankful.  We are reminded of the many blessings that we have received. God is good to us all the time.  He has great plans for all of us, whether we know what they are or not. We are called by God to share His love with all those around us.  “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it,”  1 Thessalonians 5:22-24. May God bless your Thanksgiving and fill it with an overwhelming love!