Yes, Thanksgiving is still weeks away, but it’s one of our favourite holidays, so we thought we’d write about it throughout the month.
Of course, we are all thankful every day for the many blessings of our Lord, but the holiday season of Thanksgiving & Christmas & the time spent with family & friends allows us a moment to pause & think about how blessed we really are.
Here on the farm, it is the time of harvest, so it is especially easy to see the many joys of the season, & it is also the time when we can reflect on the Summer & the great privilege of hosting so many wonderful groups of young people.
So, as a prelude to Thanksgiving, here are some of our most beloved Bible verses about giving thanks & praising the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 12-28 speaks very directly to our hearts, particularly verses 12-15. This is exactly what we strive to achieve with Makanalani & our Christian Kids programs, & how we view each other, no matter what our role.
12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.
23 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. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us. 26 Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss. 27 I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
And 1 Chronicles 16:33-34, because of the beautiful poetry & the reminder that the Lord’s love endures forever.
33 Let the trees of the forest sing,
let them sing for joy before the Lord,
for he comes to judge the earth.
34 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
