Daniel 2:23
“I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.” No matter who holds the highest governmental position in the land, they are still at the footstool of the King of Kings. Matthew 5:34-35 “But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.” No matter how many votes are cast, God in His Wisdom chooses who is elected. Proverbs 21:1 “The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.” They may hold a position, but it is God Who controls what will or will not occur for they are in His hand. Daniel 2:20-22 “Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.” God controls everything by His Wisdom, yet offers to give us Wisdom if only we would ask. James 1:5 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” Proverbs 2:6-7 “For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.” Thank Him today for all He has given you, and remember that He is in control. Bible Reading: Lamentations 4-5 | Psalm 68-70
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Colossians 2:7
“Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.” Remember the parable that Jesus told about the men who built their houses upon different foundations? One man chose to build his upon the rock, the other upon the sand. Each faced the same storm, but only one was left standing after the rain descended. Matthew 7:24-25 “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.” What they were built upon determined their sustainability. Christ spoke of the difference in the men; one was wise and the other foolish. The house built foolishly upon the sand suffered a great fall. What we build ourselves upon determines whether or not we will be able to withstand the storms of life. God does not leave us to build alone, He has provided the Foundation. 1 Corinthians 3:9 “For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” Jesus Christ must be our only Foundation. He is the Word; and it is through Him that we find wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. Our lives must be built upon Him and Him alone. Every decision we make and every desire we have, must be rooted and built up in His Word. Bible Reading: Lamentations 1-3 | Psalm 65-67 Hebrews 13:15
“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” It is only through the Lord Jesus Christ that we are able to point others to God instead of ourselves. Without Him, we can do nothing. John 15:5 “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” But through Him, we can do all things. Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Anything that we do which causes others to want to praise us should only be directed to Him. We must sacrifice the praise of ourselves so that He alone gets the glory. Psalm 107:21-22 “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.” There will never be a time when we will ever be worthy of the praise that He deserves. “…let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually…” 1 Peter 4:11 “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” Sacrifice the praise. Sacrifice the thanks. Instead, point them to Him. Every commendation we receive is only because of Him. The fruit of our lips should always be giving thanks to Him. Bible Reading: Jeremiah 51-52 | Psalm 62-64 Romans 1:8
“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.” The Apostle Paul was thanking God for the people of Rome, and their testimony that he had heard as he traveled. Imagine someone traveling to a place where the people there knew of you. What testimony would they give of your faith? A convicting thought. Would they have anything to say at all? Matthew 5:14-16 “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Would it be positive or negative? Titus 2:7-8 “In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.” Whether we realize it or not, we are influencing people. What type of example are you leaving for those around you? 1 Timothy 4:12 “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” 1 Corinthians 11:1 “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” Sometimes people misinterpret our motives or example, but the Lord knows our hearts. 1 Peter 3:15 “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.” May we all have a testimony that causes others to give thanks and praise God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Bible Reading: Jeremiah 49-50 | Psalm 59-61 Colossians 3:16-17
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Peace and thankfulness are found within the pages of the Word. Jesus Christ is the Word that was made flesh and dwelt among us. John 1:1,14 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” Have you ever been so full of the Word of God that songs of praise just overflowed from your heart? A thankful heart always has a song to sing unto Him. Psalm 28:7 “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.” The songs in our hearts should change the way we do things. Every word we say. Every deed that we do. Every thought. Every move. Every step. Every opportunity is a choice to give thanks and praise to Him or to ourselves. Matthew 6:2 “Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.” For whom are you doing things today? 1 Corinthians 10:31 “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” Who are you intending to get the thanks? Colossians 3:23 “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;” Bible Reading: Jeremiah 47-48 | Psalm 56-58 Colossians 3:15
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” As children of God we are set to a higher standard; not because of who we are, but rather Whose we are. We are bought with a price. God gave His only begotten Son to shed His precious blood for our sins. Paul wrote to the people of Colosse under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and admonished them how to live as unto the Lord. Colossians 3:12-14 “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” These same attributes should be seen in our lives as the Lord’s children. Merciful. Kind. Humble. Meek. Longsuffering. Patient. Forgiving. Loving. Peaceful. Thankful. Philippians 4:6-7 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” When we come to God in prayer with our needs with thankful hearts as we ask for His help, we are promised to have peace which passeth all understanding. Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Let His peace rule within your heart today. Chaos and confusion abound all around us, but through it all we can endure it peacefully because of Him. Colossians 2:7 “Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.” Bible Reading: Jeremiah 45-46 | Psalm 53-55 1 Thessalonians 5:18
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” When things do not go our way…give thanks. When victory is won…give thanks. If the earth moves from under your feet…give thanks. If you have reached the top of the mountain…give thanks. Though fear grips your heart…give thanks. Though the raging waves are now calm…give thanks. When enemies surround you…give thanks. When friends support and encourage you…give thanks. If you cannot find the words to pray…give thanks. If your prayer has been answered…give thanks. Though trouble is all around you…give thanks. Though the battle seems to be over…give thanks. It is the will of God for us to be thankful in every thing. This should also encourage us that even when things do not work out like we had hoped, or even prayed, it is still the will of God. Psalm 34:1 “I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” He is still in control, and He is still concerned about us. So much so He gave His only begotten so that His will could be accomplished. Ephesians 5:20 “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;” Though we may not be thankful for everything that happens, we can choose to be thankful in every thing. Bible Reading: Jeremiah 43-44 | Psalm 50-52 Psalm 26:7
“That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.” A man after God’s own heart, David walked in his integrity. He trusted in the Lord completely. Psalm 26:3 “For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.” He had purposefully prepared his heart through His Word. “I have walked in thy truth.” Psalm 26:3 “I have not sat with vain persons” Psalm 26:4 “I have hated the congregation of evil doers” Psalm 26:5 “I will wash mine hands in innocency” Psalm 26:6 He did all of this with the intent of having a thankful voice to declare what the Lord had done. Psalm 26:7 “That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.” How thankful is your voice? How faithful are you to speak of what the Lord has done for you? Consider today what you can do to purposefully give Him thanks. It all begins with saturating ourselves with the Truth of His Word. Psalm 119:27 “Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.” Regardless of what happened yesterday… Regardless of what is happening today… Regardless of what happens tomorrow… How thankful is your voice? Bible Reading: Jeremiah 41-42 | Psalm 47-49 Psalm 105:1
“O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.” How can we give thanks unto Him? In this one verse we see the recipe for true thanksgiving unto the Lord. “O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name…” Calling upon the Name of the Lord in prayer is a simple, yet amazing, way to give thanks unto Him. Psalm 116:1-2 “I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.” How often do you call upon His Name? If we only wait to call upon Him when we are in need, we will have missed out on one of the greatest privileges of prayer…to thank Him. “…make known his deeds among the people.” Making known His deeds and mighty works is the simplest form of praise to Him. Psalm 145:11-12 “They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power; To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.” What mighty acts has He done in your life? Tell someone what He has done for you. Time after time He has come through. Day after day He has provided. If we are willing to share with others what He has done for us, we can encourage them that He is Able to do the same for them. Lift up your thanks to Him through prayer and praise today and every day. Bible Reading: Jeremiah 39-40 | Psalm 44-46 2 Samuel 22:50
“Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name.” The more we delight ourselves in the Lord, the more thankful we will be to Him. “Therefore…” David realized there was many reasons for him to give thanks unto the Lord. How many reasons do you have today? If you began to count them, it likely would not be too long before you lost count. The first day of November should cause us to dwell on all the Lord has blessed us with. What are you thankful for today? To Whom are you giving thanks for what you have? Though we should be thankful to those who have contributed, we must always remember that everything really comes from the same Source. “Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD…” He is the Source for all that we have. Psalm 145:1-2 “I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.” Even when he was surrounded by the heathen, he still chose to praise the One Who had delivered him from the hand of his enemies. 2 Samuel 22:48-49 “It is God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me, And that bringeth me forth from mine enemies: thou also hast lifted me up on high above them that rose up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.” Regardless of your situation today, there is still a Reason to be thankful. Give Him the thanks and praise that He alone deserves today, and every day. Bible Reading: Jeremiah 37-38 | Psalm 41-43 |
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