Psalm 136:1 “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For his loving-kindness is everlasting.”  Last week was Thanksgiving and the Christian leader should have taken it as an opportunity to demonstrate an attitude, lifestyle and heart of thanks to those whom he leads.  We often get so busy in life that we fail to stop and take time to give thanks to the One who has given us what we have.  Most of all, we should always thank God, the Father, for sending us His Son to provide us salvation and eternal life.  This is the greatest gift ever and we must give him thanks in the presence of those we lead.  While this gift is free to us, it did not come cheaply.  It costs God His only Son. Romans 3:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  I pray that you took time last week to make certain that people around you at work and home knew that Jesus is what you are most thankful.  This should be a daily event and lifestyle.

On a daily living basis, take time to thank God for your many blessings such as family, home, work, health, material things, friends, church and life itself.  The Bible also tells us to be thankful for everything in life, both good and bad.  This is hard to do when we face difficult circumstances, but we must trust that God knows what is best for us and His kingdom.  I Thessalonians 5:18 “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  As a young boy growing up in rural Texas, I can recall many times that my father led us as a family to get on our knees and pray with thanksgiving and petition about a trial we were facing.  He continued to lead this way even into his 90’s and it made an everlasting impact in the lives of our family.  Are you a leader who gives thanks for both blessings and trials and demonstrates this attitude to those around you?  I hope that this Thanksgiving you led your family meal time in prayer as the leader of your family.  Also, do this daily and make family meal times a special spiritual time to remember from Whom all blessing flow.