I Thessalonians 5:18 – “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
This past Sunday, my pastor delivered a message using the word “thanksgiving” as an acrostic to identify things from Scripture for which he was grateful. His challenge was for us to write our own list, so I chose the word “thankful” for my acrostic. This was a unique way to help me focus my gratitude on the Lord for a few of the things He has done for me. As you read through my list, I would encourage you to choose a word of thanks for yourself and create your own acrostic, identifying some of the blessings for which you are most grateful this Thanksgiving season!
THANKFUL
T – I am thankful for the teaching I receive from the Scriptures.
Titus 2:12 – “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.”
There is no better teacher than the Holy Spirit of God, and no better textbook than the Bible, God’s Holy Word!
H – I am thankful for the Holy Spirit.
Romans 8:26-27 – “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”
Knowing that the Holy Spirit takes my prayers and makes them acceptable to God the Father fills my heart to overflowing with gratitude!
A – I am thankful for being able to ask.
I John 5:15-16 – “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”
When I think that the God of the universe, the Creator of all things, hears my prayers, and that whatever I ask for, He listens to and considers as a Father who pays attention to his beloved child, I am humbled and so very thankful.
N – I am thankful for newness of life.
Romans 6:4 – “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
I am so grateful that my salvation has given me a new life. The old me, the lost sinner, is no longer, and the new me, the forgiven sinner, lives through Christ!
K – I am thankful for the Kings of kings.
Revelation 17:14 – “These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.”
One day, my Jesus, my Lord and Saviour, truly will be crowned King of kings, and I will be there with countless other believers bowing down before Him and praising His name!
F – I am thankful for the faithfulness of God.
Deuteronomy 7:9 – “Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations.”
The faithfulness of God is evident in the keeping of His promises. What He has said, He will do. He never fails. Great is the faithfulness of God!
U – I am thankful for understanding.
Proverbs 16:12 – “Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it.”
The more I read and study the Bible, the more I know of God. The more I know of God, the more I understand Him and what He desires of me and for me. To know that I need not depend on my own understanding, but I need only to trust in Him for everything is truly something for which to be grateful.
L – I am thankful for the love of God.
Jeremiah 31:3 – “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.”
The Bible says that nothing will ever separate me from the love of God. Saying “thank you” is hardly enough to express my gratitude to the One who gave His only begotten Son, Jesus, so that I might have eternal life with Him one day in heaven. His love is amazing!
“O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” Psalm 107:1