Monday
“Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,” - Colossians 3:12 ESV
GOD’S FAVORITE PART OF THANKSGIVING
One morning after a terrible snowstorm, Susan was outside shoveling her driveway. She stopped to wave hello to her neighbor, and he asked her why her husband wasn’t out there helping her with the chore. She explained that one of them had to stay inside to take care of the children, so they drew straws to see who would go out and shovel. "Sorry about your bad luck," he said. Susan replied, "Don’t be sorry. I won!" Every parent knows the feeling of needing to take a break from the kids on occasion.
The good news as we head into November and this Thanksgiving season is that we are God’s children and He never needs a break. This week we will look at several things that go into living a thankful life. We will begin with remembering what the most important part of Thanksgiving is in God’s mind. According to Colossians 3:12, we are the most important part to God. Colossians reminds us we are God’s called, chosen, holy, and dearly loved people. Colossians also reminds us we are deeply loved by our heavenly Father.
Reflection
We are a part of God's family because He picked us. And then God set us apart for His special use and purposes. This Thanksgiving season, make sure you don’t miss out on the most important part of Thanksgiving. The most important part is your relationship with God and your relationship with others.
Praise/Prayer
According to 1 John 4:19, “We love because He first loved us.” Thank God for His special love for you. Pray and ask God to help you prioritize people in what can be a very season. Ask God to help love reign in your heart and home this week.
GOD’S FAVORITE PART OF THANKSGIVING
One morning after a terrible snowstorm, Susan was outside shoveling her driveway. She stopped to wave hello to her neighbor, and he asked her why her husband wasn’t out there helping her with the chore. She explained that one of them had to stay inside to take care of the children, so they drew straws to see who would go out and shovel. "Sorry about your bad luck," he said. Susan replied, "Don’t be sorry. I won!" Every parent knows the feeling of needing to take a break from the kids on occasion.
The good news as we head into November and this Thanksgiving season is that we are God’s children and He never needs a break. This week we will look at several things that go into living a thankful life. We will begin with remembering what the most important part of Thanksgiving is in God’s mind. According to Colossians 3:12, we are the most important part to God. Colossians reminds us we are God’s called, chosen, holy, and dearly loved people. Colossians also reminds us we are deeply loved by our heavenly Father.
Reflection
We are a part of God's family because He picked us. And then God set us apart for His special use and purposes. This Thanksgiving season, make sure you don’t miss out on the most important part of Thanksgiving. The most important part is your relationship with God and your relationship with others.
Praise/Prayer
According to 1 John 4:19, “We love because He first loved us.” Thank God for His special love for you. Pray and ask God to help you prioritize people in what can be a very season. Ask God to help love reign in your heart and home this week.
Tuesday
“Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” - Colossians 3:12-14 ESV
WHAT TO WEAR FOR THANKSGIVING
As a child, many of us had our mom pick our clothes for us. There were three basic sets of clothes most of us had; play clothes, school clothes, and church clothes. And in my house, there was no arguing with my mom. You wore the clothes that were set out for you. But the older we became, the more freedom we had to pick our own clothes.
Most of the time, the play clothes were old dirty clothes. And the school or church clothes were the newer better-looking clothes. God wants us to leave the old ways behind and this Thanksgiving put on a new wardrobe. Colossians continues the description of a thankful life, the text addresses what we are wearing. The Message translation begins verse 12 with, “Dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you.” God wants us to wear compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and above all love.
Reflection
We don’t have to wear what God has picked out for us. We have a choice to make. How would you describe the spiritual clothing you have been wearing lately?
Prayer/Praise
As you dress for various holiday events this year, stop and pray and ask God to cover you with a spirit of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and love.
WHAT TO WEAR FOR THANKSGIVING
As a child, many of us had our mom pick our clothes for us. There were three basic sets of clothes most of us had; play clothes, school clothes, and church clothes. And in my house, there was no arguing with my mom. You wore the clothes that were set out for you. But the older we became, the more freedom we had to pick our own clothes.
Most of the time, the play clothes were old dirty clothes. And the school or church clothes were the newer better-looking clothes. God wants us to leave the old ways behind and this Thanksgiving put on a new wardrobe. Colossians continues the description of a thankful life, the text addresses what we are wearing. The Message translation begins verse 12 with, “Dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you.” God wants us to wear compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and above all love.
Reflection
We don’t have to wear what God has picked out for us. We have a choice to make. How would you describe the spiritual clothing you have been wearing lately?
Prayer/Praise
As you dress for various holiday events this year, stop and pray and ask God to cover you with a spirit of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and love.
Wednesday
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” - Colossians 3:15 ESV
THANKSGIVING PEACE
Babe Ruth was at bat and Babe Pinelli was the umpire behind the plate. The first pitch was a swing and a miss, as was the second pitch. Babe Ruth dug in for the next pitch. The pitcher wound up and delivered, and Ruth didn't move. From behind the plate the umpire cried out, "Strike three!" Ruth got in Pinelli's face and said, "There are 40,000 people here who know that was a ball, tomato head." Pinelli took a look around the stadium, then responded to Ruth, "Maybe so, but mine is the only opinion that counts. The batter's out!"
The Greek word for “rule,” in Colossians 3:15, was used to describe the activity of an umpire in deciding the outcome of an athletic contest. This tells us that the peace of Christ guides believers in making decisions. Lightfoot a bible commentator says, “Wherever there is a conflict of motives or impulses or reasons, the peace of Christ must step in, and decide which is to prevail.”
Reflection
It is important for the church, also known as the body, to live in peace with each other. Just like yesterday, we talked about wearing the right spiritual clothing as individuals, it is also important for the church, or the body of Christ, to be wearing the right spiritual clothing. It is embarrassing and inappropriate for the body to go out in public naked. When the church isn’t clothed with peace among its members, it’s embarrassing and inappropriate.
Praise/Prayer
Thanksgiving week can be stressful with all the preparations, travel, and “family time.” There is a lot of opportunity for conflict and anxiety. Decide this week that you are going to let the peace of Christ make the decisions. Pray and ask God for the gift of peace in your heart, your home, and your church.
THANKSGIVING PEACE
Babe Ruth was at bat and Babe Pinelli was the umpire behind the plate. The first pitch was a swing and a miss, as was the second pitch. Babe Ruth dug in for the next pitch. The pitcher wound up and delivered, and Ruth didn't move. From behind the plate the umpire cried out, "Strike three!" Ruth got in Pinelli's face and said, "There are 40,000 people here who know that was a ball, tomato head." Pinelli took a look around the stadium, then responded to Ruth, "Maybe so, but mine is the only opinion that counts. The batter's out!"
The Greek word for “rule,” in Colossians 3:15, was used to describe the activity of an umpire in deciding the outcome of an athletic contest. This tells us that the peace of Christ guides believers in making decisions. Lightfoot a bible commentator says, “Wherever there is a conflict of motives or impulses or reasons, the peace of Christ must step in, and decide which is to prevail.”
Reflection
It is important for the church, also known as the body, to live in peace with each other. Just like yesterday, we talked about wearing the right spiritual clothing as individuals, it is also important for the church, or the body of Christ, to be wearing the right spiritual clothing. It is embarrassing and inappropriate for the body to go out in public naked. When the church isn’t clothed with peace among its members, it’s embarrassing and inappropriate.
Praise/Prayer
Thanksgiving week can be stressful with all the preparations, travel, and “family time.” There is a lot of opportunity for conflict and anxiety. Decide this week that you are going to let the peace of Christ make the decisions. Pray and ask God for the gift of peace in your heart, your home, and your church.
Thursday
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom,” - Colossians 3:16
WHERE WE SHOULD LIVE FOR THANKSGIVING
The word “dwell” used in verse 16 literally means “live in” or “to make a home in.” When we allow the message of Jesus’ gospel to be a normal part of our life and conversation, it leads to a life of gratitude. The Message translations puts it this way: “Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense.” (Col. 3:16 MSG)
Years ago, a woman wrote an article and said that her cousin had invited them to “Come for a Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday, March 20th.” She wrote: “She was not celebrating an early Thanksgiving. She was saying that all was well with her husband, who had finished a battery of hospital tests. “In our family,” she said “we sometimes have as many as ten thanksgivings in one year. They mark happy events for which there are no formal celebration dates: a job promotion, a graduate degree, or a good medical report. Sometimes we celebrate with a dinner party, sometimes with a picnic or outing, but always with as many members of our clan as we can round up.”
Reflection
Can you imagine what 10 Thanksgivings a year would do to your waistline? Yet, when we allow the message of God’s goodness to be a normal part of our lives and conversation, we feel continually thankful.
Praise/Prayer
Praise God for all the blessings He has given you. As you celebrate Thanksgiving season, take some time and share with family and friends, what God has done in your life to make you thankful.
WHERE WE SHOULD LIVE FOR THANKSGIVING
The word “dwell” used in verse 16 literally means “live in” or “to make a home in.” When we allow the message of Jesus’ gospel to be a normal part of our life and conversation, it leads to a life of gratitude. The Message translations puts it this way: “Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense.” (Col. 3:16 MSG)
Years ago, a woman wrote an article and said that her cousin had invited them to “Come for a Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday, March 20th.” She wrote: “She was not celebrating an early Thanksgiving. She was saying that all was well with her husband, who had finished a battery of hospital tests. “In our family,” she said “we sometimes have as many as ten thanksgivings in one year. They mark happy events for which there are no formal celebration dates: a job promotion, a graduate degree, or a good medical report. Sometimes we celebrate with a dinner party, sometimes with a picnic or outing, but always with as many members of our clan as we can round up.”
Reflection
Can you imagine what 10 Thanksgivings a year would do to your waistline? Yet, when we allow the message of God’s goodness to be a normal part of our lives and conversation, we feel continually thankful.
Praise/Prayer
Praise God for all the blessings He has given you. As you celebrate Thanksgiving season, take some time and share with family and friends, what God has done in your life to make you thankful.
Friday
“singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” - Colossians 3:16
HOW WE SHOULD SING FOR THANKSGIVING
A local church pastor and his choir director were not getting along. One week the preacher preached on commitment, and how we should dedicate ourselves to service. The director then led the choir in singing, ’I Shall Not Be Moved.’ The next Sunday, the preacher preached on giving and how we should gladly give to the work of the Lord. The choir director then led the song, ’Jesus Paid It All.’ The next Sunday, the preacher preached on gossiping and how we should watch our tongues. The hymn that week was ’I Love To Tell The Story.’ The preacher became disgusted over the situation, and the next Sunday he told the congregation he was considering resigning. The choir director then sang ’Oh, Why Not Tonight.’ When the preacher resigned the next week, he told the church that Jesus had led him there and Jesus was taking him away. The choir then sang, ’What A Friend We Have In Jesus.’
In Colossians 3:16, the Apostle Paul wrote, “singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” Another translation reads, “singing with grace in your hearts.” Dennis Prager, author of "Happiness is a Serious Problem," writes: "There is a 'secret to happiness, and it is gratitude. All happy people are grateful, and ungrateful people cannot be happy. We tend to think that it is being unhappy that leads people to complain, but it is truer to say that it is complaining that leads to people becoming unhappy. Become grateful and you will become a much happier person."
Praise/Prayer
There is something about singing and music that can move our hearts in a way that nothing else can. Take some time today and listen to and maybe sing along to music that worships and praises God. It may be while you are getting ready in the morning or driving around town. Let the lyrics be some of your prayers to God today.
HOW WE SHOULD SING FOR THANKSGIVING
A local church pastor and his choir director were not getting along. One week the preacher preached on commitment, and how we should dedicate ourselves to service. The director then led the choir in singing, ’I Shall Not Be Moved.’ The next Sunday, the preacher preached on giving and how we should gladly give to the work of the Lord. The choir director then led the song, ’Jesus Paid It All.’ The next Sunday, the preacher preached on gossiping and how we should watch our tongues. The hymn that week was ’I Love To Tell The Story.’ The preacher became disgusted over the situation, and the next Sunday he told the congregation he was considering resigning. The choir director then sang ’Oh, Why Not Tonight.’ When the preacher resigned the next week, he told the church that Jesus had led him there and Jesus was taking him away. The choir then sang, ’What A Friend We Have In Jesus.’
In Colossians 3:16, the Apostle Paul wrote, “singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” Another translation reads, “singing with grace in your hearts.” Dennis Prager, author of "Happiness is a Serious Problem," writes: "There is a 'secret to happiness, and it is gratitude. All happy people are grateful, and ungrateful people cannot be happy. We tend to think that it is being unhappy that leads people to complain, but it is truer to say that it is complaining that leads to people becoming unhappy. Become grateful and you will become a much happier person."
Praise/Prayer
There is something about singing and music that can move our hearts in a way that nothing else can. Take some time today and listen to and maybe sing along to music that worships and praises God. It may be while you are getting ready in the morning or driving around town. Let the lyrics be some of your prayers to God today.
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