Thanksgiving thinking, Part 4

There may already be movement in your kitchen in preparation for the feast to come later today.  In our home, the first thing produced in the kitchen today will be the last thing eaten — the desserts.  I like to think of it as happy bookends on a fine day of eating.

As you begin your day today, here are some similar bookends of biblical, reflective thought; use these verses from Paul’s pen to begin and end your day as you contemplate the rich treasures that come from our benevolent God.

• First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world. (Rom. 1:18)
• I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus… (1 Cor. 1:4)
• For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God. (2 Cor. 4:15)
• Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.  For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.  Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all, while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you.  Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (2 Cor. 9:10-15)
• For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. (Eph. 1:15-17)
• And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father (Eph. 5:18-20)
• I thank my God in all my remembrance of you (Phil. 1:3)
• Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Phil. 4:6)
• Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. (Col. 3:15)
• Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.  (Col. 3:17)
• Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving. (Col. 4:2)
• For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe. (1 Thess. 2:13)
• For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account, as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith? (1 Thess. 3:9-10)
• We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater. (2 Thess. 1:3)
• But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. (2 Thess. 2:13)
• First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.  This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Tim. 2:1-4)
• For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer. (1 Tim. 4:4-5)