For Us

I am thankful that it is Thanksgiving Week!
As I ponder this wonderful holiday, I am reminded just how thankful I should be, and how thankful I am not. I am thankful for another chance to do better!

First, I am thankful for the scriptures God has given us. If you do not believe in the validity of the scriptures, the rest of this may be of no interest to you.
I believe God indeed created the heavens and the earth and all that is in them! He did this for his good pleasure. (Genesis 1:31 NLT) "Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day."

Next, God has given me a new way to look at being thankful. As I thought of the words to the song, Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart, I remembered the line: Because of what the Lord has done for us. And it hit me....FOR US.

Allow me to list some of what God has done for us. (All verse are from the NLT version.)
1. Salvation of everyone who is willing. John 3:17; "God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him."
2. A rich and satisfying life. John 10:10; Jesus said, "The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life."
3. Family. Exodus 20:12; "Honor your father and mother. Then you will have a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you."
4. Health. Isaiah 53:5; "But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed."
5. Fun. (John 10:10)
6. Food and clothes. Matthew 6:31-33; Jesus said, 31. "So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' 32. These thoughts dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but you heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need."
7. Beauty of the earth. A contemplation: Have you ever been snow skiing and felt closer to God? Watched the leaves turn an array of colors in the Fall and be in utter wonder? use the talents God has given you and be on cloud 9? I believe God wants to share his beautiful creation with us. It gives him great joy. I believe he wants us to share the talents he has given us. It gives joy to us, others, and God.
8. A wrap of everything. James 1:17; "Whatever is good and perfect is a gift from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow."