Worshipful Thanksgiving ~ by Amy (Vest) Cox

I love Thanksgiving.
I love reflecting on the blessings I've been given.
Most of all, I love worshipping the Giver of the blessings.

"It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High." (Psalm 92:1)

This is amazing.
While the gifts are good, the point us to the Giver.
While the gifts can make us happy for a little while, the Giver gives us joy forever in Himself.
Gifts cannot truly satisfy, but the Giver satisfies the deepest needs of our hearts for eternity.

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." (James 1:17)

This, my friend, is the secret to the best Thanksgiving ever - thanks for blessings that turns into worship of the Giver.

Whether you have a cozy time surrounded by people you love, or are facing deep pain, you see that the physical gifts can change, but the Giver is ever yours.

"...be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”' (Hebrews 13:5)

Yes, gifts may come and go, but the Giver - Jesus - is forever ours and forever by our side!

"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!" (Psalm 107:1)

This has been so sweet and powerful for me - and I pray it is for you, too.  

The simple act of counting blessings with Jesus can turn into a sweet worship of Him - the Giver.

Let your
thanksgiving for blessings
become gratitude to the Giver
and
turn into worship of the One Whose heart we see in His gifts.

This leads us to a life of worshipful thanksgiving.

So, for example:
1) "I'm thankful to be redeemed."
2) "Thank You, Jesus, for redeeming me from my sins and bringing me into a relationship with You!"
3) "I worship You, Jesus, that You are my loving, gracious Redeemer."

Do you see how beautiful this can be?

He is worthy of all our worship - and oh, in it, He is glorified and our hearts find deep joy!

We have so much to be thankful for in Jesus, friend!

Have a blessed Thanksgiving giving thanks and worshipping the Giver!

Question - We love hearing from you!

What is one aspect of your identity in Christ that means a lot to you? (For example: accepted, loved, etc.)

Please share in the comments section below!

Join us for a Videocast - Your Identity in Christ

Session 4 ~ "Your Identity in Christ" from Loving the Lord Ministries on Vimeo.

You are Forever Loved ~ by Amy (Vest) Cox

Friend ~ Do you know how much you are forever loved?

Listen to these precious verses:

"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."  Romans 8:38-39

Friend ~ Do you know how much you are forever loved?

Listen to these precious verses:


"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."  Romans 8:38-39
NOTHING can separate you from God's love in Jesus.  Nothing.

As His own, you are loved with the everlasting love of the One Who IS love - God.

"I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you."  ~ Jeremiah 31:3"...God is love." ~ 1 John 4:8

God loves you infinitely more in a millisecond than any person could love you in a lifetime.

His love is the love you were created for, the only place you are truly satisfied, and the strength to love in return.  His is the love you seek, the love that fulfills the deepest longings of your heart, and the love that will never ever let you go.  His love is the love that redeems, transforms, sanctifies, and causes us to desire to live for Him with all that we are.  His is the love we need.

"Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days." ~ Psalm 90:14

Today may you find deep rest, satisfaction, and joy as you live in the reality that you are loved more than you could dream by Him.

Forever.

And may this result in a response of love to Jesus that spills out in every moment of your life.

"Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you." ~ Psalm 63:3