Negative influences swirl all around us as we move into this cherished Thanksgiving weekend. The jaw-dropping reality: with a few minor adjustments, you and I can intentionally set the trajectory for a wonderful, thanksgiving-filled holiday, in spite of the unusual set of circumstances we face.
Please hear me; this is not about manufacturing a self-made positive attitude. Oh, no. Rather, this an opportunity to ask the Holy Spirit to move us from where we are to where we long to be. And His outcome promises to be more delicious than our meals. Personal reflection and personal praise set the stage of our weary hearts to be refreshed and primed to bless.
Personal reflection:
Am I thankful, at this moment, for where I am geographically? How does my answer affect my own happiness and the happiness of those around me?
Which “blessing” in my life would I prefer to give back to God?
In the last 24 hours, what has provoked grumbling or complaining within my spirit?
Now, after taking our truthful answers to the foot of the Cross and enlisting the supernatural help of the Holy Spirit, we read aloud our praise.
Personal praise:
I will exalt You, my God and King;
I will bless Your name forever and ever.
Every day I will bless You,
and I will praise Your name forever and ever.
Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised;
His greatness is unsearchable.
One generation will commend Your works to the next,
and will proclaim Your mighty acts—
the glorious splendor of Your majesty.
And I will meditate on Your wondrous works.
They will proclaim the power of Your awesome deeds,
and I will declare Your greatness.
They will extol the fame of Your abundant goodness
and sing joyfully of Your righteousness.
The LORD is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in loving devotion.
The LORD is good to all;
His compassion rests on all He has made.
All You have made will give You thanks, O LORD,
and Your saints will bless You.
They will tell of the glory of Your kingdom
and speak of Your might,
to make known to men Your mighty acts
and the glorious splendor of Your kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and Your dominion endures through all generations.
The LORD is faithful in all His words
and kind in all His actions.b
The LORD upholds all who fall
and lifts up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to You,
and You give them their food in season.
You open Your hand
and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
The LORD is righteous in all His ways
and kind in all His deeds.
The LORD is near to all who call on Him,
to all who call out to Him in truth.
He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him;
He hears their cry and saves them.
The LORD preserves all who love Him,
but all the wicked He will destroy.
My mouth will declare the praise of the LORD;
let every creature bless His holy name
forever and ever.
(Psalm 145)
Living With Eternal Intentionality®
Oh! How great is our God! May His greatness and His grace saturate your soul with praise and thanksgiving.
