In hundreds of homes this week, people will stand up and share a thanksgiving testimony of how God has blessed their lives. I hope you will choose to do the same. Listed below are a few thoughts to get you started on your journey toward thankfulness...

SALVATION:
(2 Corinthians 4:14-15) "Because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God."

• Take a minute to remember your salvation experience.  Reflect on Jesus Christ as Savior. How has your life changed as a result of accepting Him as your Savior?
• Does your thanksgiving overflow to the glory of God?  How do you share your appreciation of your salvation with others in your life?

MATERIAL & SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS:
(2 Corinthians 9:10-11) "Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 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."

• Take a minute to recount all of the material blessings God has given you in the past year, i.e. money, food, a home, etc.  Reflect on Him as your Provider. How has your life changed as a result of accepting His provision in your life?
• Take a minute to remember all of the spiritual blessings God has provided, i.e. your church, a special sermon, a life-changing Bible study, etc. Thank God for being the Caretaker of your spiritual garden.
• Consider the concept of generosity mentioned in the passage above. Have you used your material and spiritual blessings to be "generous on every occasion?"

RELATIONSHIPS WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS:
(2 Thessalonians 1:3) "We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing."

• Take a minute to remember the special relationships God has given you with family, friends, co-workers, church members, etc. Reflect on God as the Father of this family of believers. How have you been blessed by the people in your life?
• Have you taken the opportunity to express your gratitude to your family and friends?  Are you "increasing" the compassion and love of those around you?

CIRCUMSTANCES:
(1 Timothy 4:4) "For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,"

• Take a minute to consider the trials you experienced in the last year.  Did you receive them with thanksgiving?  Has God been able to use them "for good" in your life?
• Reflect on God as the Healer in your life. Claim the promise that "everything God created is good" and thank Him for that!

As you can see, we have much to be thankful for, so let's join together in making that the focus of this Thanksgiving.