One thing I have learned in all the reading and preparing I do for this blog is that having a grateful heart – being truly thankful – will change your life.

Whenever a person decides to start “counting their blessings” or journaling what they are grateful for, they begin to change in how they perceive their life.

And I’m sure these results are true because God Himself reminds us in His Word to be thankful!  “…in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (I Thessalonians 5:18).

You may be asking “Why does God ask us to give thanks for all things especially when I don’t feel grateful or thankful?”

I believe He asks us so that we will turn our attention from whatever is causing us stress or pain to Him.  And when we turn to Him in prayer, He can begin to work in and through us.  Christ Himself said that we would have trials in this life but that He came to overcome them.  How wonderful to know that God is in the middle of our trials and heartbreaks!  “Let your lives overflow with Thanksgiving for all He has done” (Colossians 2:7).

As you begin the countdown to Thanksgiving this month, may I suggest that we make a list of what we are grateful for each day.  You could write these down on the margin of your calendar, your to-do list, your cell phone, a journal you may be keeping, or any other way that works for you.  Think of three to five things a day.  I believe with all my heart that by the time Thanksgiving is here, you and I will have an abundance of love, joy and gratefulness overflowing from our heart.

And feel free to send me a quick comment (see below) with how you did.

May you and yours have a blessed and wonderful Thanksgiving!

Manna from Heaven    

One of the greatest times of thanksgiving was when David brought the Ark of God back to Jerusalem.  Here is the prayer of thanks to the Lord from I Chronicles 16:8-12:

Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples.  Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; speak of all His wonders.

Glory in His holy name; let the heart of those who seek the Lord be glad.  Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face continually.  Remember His wonderful deeds which He has done, His marvels and the judgments from His mouth.