By Philip Schroeder
First Baptist Church Bulverde

First, remember from whom all good things come.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17).

And then thank him for all those good things. If we do that, then not only will we celebrate this holiday properly, then we will be thankful all year long!

True thankfulness starts in the heart. If we have an attitude of gratitude, then giving thanks will happen naturally.

Here are some other ways that we can celebrate thanksgiving well.

We can give to others so that they may also be thankful to God.

“You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God” (2 Corinthians 9:11). And you can thank God that he used you to help someone else.

We can say something good, instead of something bad. Being thankful results in positive words that build up instead of tear down.

“Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving” (Ephesians 5:4).

We can appreciate everything that God made.

“For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer” (I Timothy 4:4-5).

Pray and thank God for those whom God gave to us to protect and govern us.

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior” (I Timothy 2:1-3).

I think this includes our soldiers and military, our police officers, our teachers, our governing officials, our firefighters, and all of those in uniform.

We can try to list all the things we have to be thankful for.

“Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things” (Psalm 107:8-9).

Of course, the list is endless, but that’s OK!

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord or fully declare his praise?” (Psalm 106:1-2).

A spirit of thankfulness should not be dictated by the calendar.

“Pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (I Thessalonians 5:17-18).

Finally, “whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17).