Count your blessings, see what God has done

In our culture, it is customary to say thank you to someone when they have shown us kindness. Somewhere in our past we were taught that showing gratitude is an act of strength not weakness. Sincere gratitude promotes healthy relationships!

James 1:16-17 records “16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” James issues a warning and an instruction.

First, he tells us not to be deceived. The deception or the lies has to do with Whom and what. In a culture where strong independent people are admired, pride asserts itself by saying “I have accomplished all this without God.” James makes it clear that God in heaven is the source of “every good and perfect gift.”

Secondly, the other deception is not to recognize what is good and perfect. James is not repeating himself with these two words. Good denotes that something is intrinsically of value. Perfect denotes something useful!

James is reminding us that we have a perfect Heavenly Father that is the source of everything valuable and useful for us!

To truly celebrate Thanksgiving, we as individuals and as a nation need to take time to reflect on all the kindness the Lord has shown us starting with and most importantly sending His Son Jesus to redeem us or save us from our sins!

As the song goes...Count your blessings see what God has done!

Count your blessings name them one by one

And it will surprise you what the Lord has done!

Lets approach this Thanksgiving with a heart filled with gratitude ready to give back!