Thanks is a word we teach our children at a very early age. We teach "giving thanks" to our kids, but do we apply it to our lives? Here are some things we can be thankful for this year.

God's Graciousness

The Bible says, "...always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 5:20

We should thank the Lord all the time--for the good times as well as the bad. We can give thanks because we know that God can use whatever circumstances we are in for His glory and our benefit.

God's Greatness

God is great because of what He can do.

Jeremiah 32:17 says, "Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power...Nothing is too hard for you."

The same God who created the heavens and the earth cares for you. He freed the Israelites from their bondage in Egypt and He can free you from your bondages. He walked on water and calmed the sea and He can calm the storms of your life.

God's Goodness

God is good because of His MERCY. The Bible says, "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." Psalm 107:1

God showed us His mercy when He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins. "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

Because of our sins, we deserve death. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23

Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. He died in our place to bring us to God and He rose from the dead to give us the gift of new life.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

A Prayer of Thanksgiving

This year let's remember to thank God. He deserves our thanks for who He is and because of what He has done for each and every one of us. A prayer of thanksgiving from each of us is a good beginning to giving thanks not just one day a year, but always and for everything.

Dear God,

We thank You for Your graciousness, greatness and goodness. You continually bless us through Your graciousness, provide for us from Your greatness, and sustain us because of Your goodness.

Thank You for caring for our family. We ask that You watch over our loved ones serving in the military far from home.

We pray that our beloved country might find renewed freedom in You, Almighty God. We humbly reaffirm our dependence on You.

Amen

If you have never trusted in Jesus Christ as your Savior, you can today.

"Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved." Acts 16:31

Written by Dean Meadows in collaboration with ATS staff