Thanksgiving includes you!

The story is short but the lesson gets delivered. Here it is.
"As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. As he entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance, crying out,
"Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!"
He looked at them and said, "Go show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy.
One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, "Praise God!"
He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan.
Jesus asked, "Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine?" (Luke 17:11-17, NLT)

Assumed gratitude is no thanks!
"But she ought to know how much I appreciate what she does." Really? How, exactly, by reading your mind?
"He needs me to tell him that I appreciate his efforts? Why? Is he insecure or something?" No, he's just a normal person in need of affirmation from time to time.

God desires our praise, our gratitude, too. He doesn't need it, nor do we add anything to the One who is sufficient in Himself, but He desires it. Praise, a form of thankfulness, is the way we are told to enter into His Presence. If your having difficulties entering into worship individually or when you're in church, start to thank God. Make a list of things for which you are grateful. Murmur your praise for what He's done, Who He is, or the things He has promised to do!

On Thanksgiving Day, make sure to be thankful. Many will fail on this key point. It's not that they will complain, they will just assume that God and everybody else knows that they are grateful. Enjoy your feast! Watch some football! And, make sure to take some time to give thanks - liberally and sincerely. Don't cause the Lord to say of you, "Didn't I... where is his thanks?" If you're a little short on gratitude or unsure of what to say, then read this Psalm aloud. And, I assure you, He will be blessed by your praise!

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. (Psalm 100, NIV)
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Thanks to God for my Redeemer,
Thanks for all Thou dost provide!
Thanks for times now but a memory,
Thanks for Jesus by my side!

Thanks for pleasant, balmy springtime,
Thanks for dark and dreary fall!
Thanks for tears by now forgotten,
Thanks for peace within my soul!

Thanks for prayers that Thou hast answered,
Thanks for what Thou dost deny!
Thanks for storms that I have weathered,
Thanks for all Thou dost supply!

Thanks for pain and thanks for pleasure,
Thanks for comfort in despair!
Thanks for grace that none can measure,
Thanks for love beyond compare!

Thanks for roses by the wayside.
Thanks for thorns their stems contain!
Thanks for home and thanks for fireside,
Thanks for hope, that sweet refrain!

Thanks for joy and thanks for sorrow,
Thanks for heavenly peace with Thee!
Thanks for hope in the tomorrow,
Thanks through all eternity! Amen.

Thanks To God For My Redeemer
Storm, August Ludvig / Hultman, John A.
© Public Domain

Thank you for reading along! It is my privilege to share my devotional journal with you each day. TFTD is sent with a prayer that God will use these words to encourage you to serve Him with gladness.See you on Monday, Lord-willing.

Happy Thanksgiving!