November 25, 2025

”Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!.” ps 107:8, 15, 21,31 nkjv  Four times in Psalms 107,  the Psalmist repeats this same “giving of thanks…”

In fact, the Bible is full of verses proclaiming thanksgiving to Yahweh. This week’s devotional falls in the week of our National Holiday of Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving has always been one of my “favorite times” during my annual trip around the sun… It has always been a special time of fellowship with friends and family. It seems that normal issues and challenges diminish a bit when this festive time comes around. It is not unlike the “feast of Tabernacles,” in that it celebrates Yahweh’s blessings and goodness to us.

The original founders of our national Thanksgiving holiday placed special emphasis upon the role of God as the main source of the bounty and blessing celebrated at that time. As a child, the special meaning of Thanksgiving lit up my countenance, surely related to me being raised in a God fearing home; I think that played a key role in establishing the memory of Thanksgiving as a deeply sacred and memorable time in my life. As I now, God willing, will also celebrate my 83 birthday on the day following this year’s Thanksgiving, I am especially thankful and wondrously amazed and grateful for this marvelous time… so many great and special memories. I hope you all can join me in realizing this same joy as you gather with friends and family this year.

Three things I want to mention to give thanks for, that are especially important to me, as a believer in Yahweh’s plans and provision for our lives… First, the Torah (Law of Moses), the written “forever settled” Word of Yahweh, ps 119:89;  This great immeasurable treasure Yahweh planned for us is not possible to place value upon… it’s worth is the greatest gift one could have [Yeshua, of course, is the Torah in the flesh]. Second, the “lamb slain from before the foundation of the world,” Yeshua. Yahweh, manifested in Yeshua, foreordained that any of us who call upon the Name of the LORD [Yeshua], would be saved. Thirdly, the provision of Yahweh's Holy Spirit, the “Spirit of Truth,” who would indwell us, Christ in us, the hope of glory; Who would convict the world [us] of sin, righteousness, and judgment. NOTHING was left out that we need for everything that pertains to life and godliness… Peter writes:

”Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 pet 1:2-4 nkjv

While these three great gifts to us, gives reason to rejoice and celebrate our God given heritage, unless one receives these gifts with an honest and sincere heart, and includes them [for purpose, practice, and lifestyle] in their lives, they are without contribution to our present circumstances, or next world/life destiny. Think and choose wisely, they are received by faith and thankful understanding. Yahweh's truth is always knocking at the door of our hearts… will we open and welcome Him in as Lord and master of the kingdom of our hearts? Or will we be like King Agrippa, almost persuaded… when he heard Paul’s great message in Acts 26:28 nkjv… being like King Agrippa as “almost persuaded,” is the same as rejecting the greatest gifts man has ever been offered. Remember Yeshua’s words:

“For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.” mat 16:25-27 nkjv

Shalom, John