• When four-year-old Sammy awoke after surgery, the nurse explained that it would be necessary for him to be fed intravenously for the next few days.
• After assuring him that everything would be fine, she began the process to administer the glucose. Always in the habit of giving thanks before each meal, Sammy asked in a brave and cheerful voice, "Aren't you going to give thanks?"
• It is not easy to give thanks in painful situations. Nor is it natural to see God's goodness in all of life's trials and troubles. But the Apostle Paul reminds us to "Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
• When we give thanks, we acknowledge our confidence in the Lord, knowing that He cares for us. When we give thanks, we express our closeness to God, realizing that He is with us in every situation. When we give thanks, we declare that we are willing to accept the counsel of God knowing that His will is being done.
• Prayer: Dear Lord, may I learn the grace of giving thanks to You in all of life's situations. Help me to realize that You are always with me, watching, protecting, providing and guiding me in every area of life. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
• Scripture for Today: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-23 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.
23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.