With the overwhelming distractions of commercial promotions and holiday fervor, the U.S. national holiday of Thanksgiving, a day set apart for thanking the Almighty Creator and Sustainer of the Universe, is often over-hyped for secular purposes or barely acknowledged in the rush to the next holiday. It is a disgrace that so many are unthankful, ungrateful, and unappreciative, revealing a core character flaw of self-absorption. Thanklessness is not a small matter, as it is included among evil attitudes that mark the end times. Thanksgiving remains a tradition that promotes wholesome values, beginning with thankfulness to God for abundant blessings, and offers an opportunity to serve others. Thank You, God, for the abundant blessings You have bestowed upon us.

In these perilous last days, as foretold by the apostle Paul, many are unthankful and self-centered, often considering gratitude only when prompted by occasions like Thanksgiving Day. Yet, it is the will of God that we be thankful in every condition, whether in adversity or prosperity. We must sincerely appreciate the abundant blessings poured out upon us by our great God and show our gratitude to Him as a fundamental Christian duty. Our thankfulness should be directed first to God the Father, then to God the Son, always expressed through Jesus Christ in His name. We are encouraged to give thanks often and for everything, maintaining a balance to avoid vain repetition while recognizing that ingratitude is a common and deadly sin. It is also our duty to be thankful for our brethren constantly, appreciating their faith in Christ, their conversion, their true love shown through obedience to His Word, and their zeal for the brethren and God's work. Thankfulness is a spiritual sacrifice, offered through prayer and praise, often inseparable from these acts, and it produces peace. In the Kingdom of God, thankfulness will be a central theme at the throne of God, where reverence and complete praise, including gratitude, are expressed by angels, elders, and living creatures. By cultivating a thankful attitude now, we prepare ourselves for the soon-coming Kingdom of God, praising and thanking Him for all His works and for the encouragement provided by our brethren.

In the midst of a challenging year like 2020, marked by various hardships, the concept of thankfulness remains significant. Despite the difficulties, many still find reasons to be thankful, with a survey revealing that 84% of Americans are thankful for family, 69% for health, and 63% for friends. When asked to whom they give thanks, 68% acknowledge family, 67% give thanks to God, and 42% to friends. This indicates a strong inclination to appreciate personal connections and divine presence during Thanksgiving. The importance of thankfulness is underscored by the distinction between merely feeling thankful, defined as being pleased and relieved, and practicing gratitude, which involves showing appreciation through action. Research highlights the benefits of gratitude, demonstrating that individuals who focus on things they are grateful for tend to be more optimistic, feel better about their lives, exercise more, and have fewer health issues. Additionally, expressing gratitude can strengthen relationships and motivate others in professional settings. For God's people, thankfulness should be a daily practice, not confined to a single holiday. It is vital to prioritize thankfulness toward God and Christ, recognizing Them as the source of all blessings, including family and health. Taking actionable steps such as praying, meditating, and reflecting on blessings can transform perspectives, especially during tough times. By consciously cultivating gratitude, even amidst the trials of 2020 and beyond, a renewed outlook can be fostered to face life's challenges.

In a world heading for chaos and disaster, it is challenging to retain a positive, thankful attitude, yet we should always offer thanksgiving to God, especially in such times. Thankfulness, appreciation, and gratitude mean a great deal to God the Father and Jesus Christ, mirroring the warmth we feel when someone sincerely thanks us for our actions. Thankfulness is akin to giving the gift of appreciation, fostering a deep connection with Them. Neglecting to be thankful can lead to hardened, selfish hearts, causing us to forget the worth and value of others and take our blessings for granted. An unwillingness to thank God for His great love, mercy, and provisions can alienate our affections and blind us to all that He is doing in our lives. Even if we strive to obey God and receive His blessings, failing to praise and thank Him leaves a crucial aspect of our spiritual development missing. Gratitude acts as the glue that cements our relationship with Him. Despite the moral confusion and tumultuous environment around us, giving thanks to God is of utmost importance. A thankful relationship with Him transforms our attitude toward repentance, obedience, and overcoming, reflecting our love and desire to honor Him. God, capable of far greater feelings than we can express, highly appreciates our thankfulness, resulting in spiritual blessings and drawing us closer to Him, enhancing our relationship. Living in an unthankful world, where many of God's wonderful blessings are taken for granted, we must train ourselves to consider these blessings and give thanks. This focus on God and His work benefits us, and as we respond with gratitude, He draws us nearer. In everything, we are to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning us.

Thankfulness holds a vital place in our relationship with God, reflecting both a duty and a benefit to our lives. We should give thanks to Him because it is good for us and pleasing to Him, fostering a spirit of gratitude that counters the dangers of ingratitude. God's lovingkindness and faithfulness toward us are reasons to express our gratitude, as He has endowed us with countless blessings that we must not take for granted. We should thank Him for the gladness and sense of triumph He grants to those who actively participate in His work, recognizing that every member of His church has a unique role in Christ's Body. Moreover, we are to be grateful for God's marvelous creation, His deep thoughts beyond human comprehension, and the care with which He shapes His Family. As the Most High and sovereign God, He deserves our appreciation, for there is no other like Him. We should thank Him for His promise to exalt His people, transforming the weak into kings and priests. Gratitude is also due for His justice upon enemies, understanding that His judgments are for our good. We must thank God for the spiritual and physical health He provides, allowing us to flourish within His church, a place of growth in preparation for a future of ruling with Him. Even seniors in His church often remain active and fruitful, a blessing from living according to His ways and receiving His favor. We should be grateful for His complete dependability, uprightness, and righteousness, qualities that assure us of His unwavering presence. In expressing our thanks, we are called to worship and honor Him continually, reflecting on how His heavenly throne room is symbolized in His Temple. As His people in these last days, we are to offer thanks with sincerity and regularity, ensuring our gratitude aligns with His will.

Thanksgiving was originally established to give thanks to the Almighty God for His benevolent care and providence to men, but it has become commercialized. In the hustle and bustle of today's extreme lifestyles and moral decline, the giving of thanks is a rare thing. Shoppers on Thanksgiving Day often fix their focus on acquiring coveted items at the best price, neglecting to thank God for His benefits throughout the year or even for the ability to purchase material goods. They have no excuse for neglecting gratitude, as God gives benefits to all humanity. He wants us to thank Him for His benefits, mercy, and graciousness. Each of us should be extremely thankful to God for His benefits, testing, and training, responding to Him in humbleness of mind and thankfulness of heart. Despite enjoying more benefits, prosperity, and natural resources than much of the world, many are complainers, unthankful for what God has bestowed so freely. Selfishness and pride reign supreme, reflecting an unthankful attitude. We must not allow ourselves to fall into this end-time mindset but instead be humble, respect God, and thank Him for His daily providence. Giving Him daily thanks shows our love for Him. We must never slack off in giving Him thanks, especially as this world spirals down morally and ethically. God has given us so many amazing benefits, including our calling to His truth and the opportunity to become His children. We should be very thankful and respond to His call daily.

Does this mean that, just because pagans were thankful to idols, we should not be thankful for all that the great God has provided us? Should we not show gratitude for our liberties and the seemingly limitless bounty we have? If we fail to give thanks, what will that produce? Many prophecies show that all the nations of modern Israel will suffer greatly for their lack of gratitude for all that God has given to them. They will, with terrible deprivation and destruction, be humbled before God, and part of the reason for their troubles will be their lack of gratitude that has caused them to forget God. The Thanksgiving Day we celebrate does not have a pagan origin, and our forefathers and a few of our presidents set aside a day each year to thank God for all the many blessings He has bestowed on our people. That is good and right for any people. For us who understand where all the blessings come from, it should be a reminder to give effusive thanks on this day for the many blessings that belong to us because of God's faithfulness to His promises to Abraham. It should also be a reminder to each of us to thank Him, not just one day a year, but every day, for our incredible calling and the innumerable things He does for us.

We should not confine the giving of thanks to a single day of the year, but express it continually every time we come before God in prayer. Thanksgiving is a vital part of a Christian's praise and worship of God, both publicly and privately. We should thank God throughout each day, ensuring our gratitude is thoughtful and sincere, avoiding rushed or repetitive prayers that show disrespect toward our patient and forbearing God. A moment of meditation reveals many reasons to thank Him, for we have Him to thank for everything, as all things were created through Him and for Him, and in Him all things consist. We possess many things, giving us countless reasons to express gratitude to Him. We should thank Him for the most important aspects of our lives: our very lives, our health, our families, our jobs, our friends, our homes, and other major physical blessings that provide satisfaction and abundance. We can also thank Him for necessities like food, clothing, education, transportation, and skills. Beyond these, we should thank Him for being God, for His holy, righteous character that never wavers, allowing us to trust Him with confidence. We should express gratitude for His plan and for revealing it to us through His Word, which He has preserved for us, giving comfort in knowing where He is leading this world and how it will get there. We must thank Him for calling us out of this world, for the rare gift of a relationship with Him, and for giving us His Spirit, granting access to Him and the spiritual help needed for eternal life in His Kingdom. We should eagerly thank Him for grace and forgiveness, which we need often due to our weaknesses, and for the aid He provides to overcome sins through the open way to His throne. Additionally, we should thank Him for the spiritual gifts He gives each of us to serve one another and for the brethren who are part of this divine project, as we all need each other to make the Body of Christ work for His glory. We can thank Him for His creation that sustains life on earth, such as sunlight, water, the atmosphere, plants, and animals, as well as for the beauty in nature and the physical laws He upholds by His power. The reasons to show Him our gratitude are endless, and we owe Him everything, so we need to thank Him for everything.

Expressing thankfulness is absolutely essential, even vital, as it embodies gratitude for favors and acknowledges kindness bestowed. The notion of gratitude evolved from earlier concepts of thoughtfulness, transitioning through favorable thought and goodwill to its current meaning. Research shows a correlation between gratitude and increased wellbeing, benefiting not only the one expressing thanks but everyone involved. People who are more grateful feel better about themselves, experiencing happiness, reduced stress, and greater satisfaction with life and relationships. They feel more in control of their surroundings, personal growth, and purpose, employing positive coping mechanisms during trials and sleeping better due to positive thoughts before bed. Writing thank-you letters and maintaining gratitude journals, where one records three things they are grateful for daily, have proven effective in fostering gratitude. A gratitude visit, delivering a letter of thanks in person, offers immediate impact, while journaling provides lasting benefits. The act of expressing thanks operates on a principle of reciprocity, where what a person gives returns to them. Neglecting to express earnest thanks is a significant mistake, as the benefits to oneself and others are too valuable to overlook. Withholding gratitude cheats both the benefactor and oneself, missing out on potential blessings and rewards.

In this season of Thanksgiving, many will reflect on their circumstances and America's global standing, seeking genuine reasons to be thankful. The Pilgrims, after enduring a harsh first winter in 1621 with significant loss, expressed deep thankfulness to God for the help, guidance, and progress He provided to their colony following a successful harvest. George Washington, in his 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation, emphasized the responsibility and potential God has given humanity, inspiring daily gratitude for such divine gifts. The Bible guides us on what to be thankful for, highlighting salvation and eternal life as the most precious gifts, for which we can thank God every day that He has called us to them. Additionally, we are thankful for the great gift of understanding His truth, as revealed in Matthew 13:16-17.

Giving thanks is something God expects and indeed requires of His people. The key is whether the thanks is given to Him or to demons; the one is truth and leads to greater truth and liberty, while the other is idolatry and leads to greater enslavement and death. The act of thanksgiving is as much a part of Christian life as prayer. Our joy, prayers, and thanksgiving should not fluctuate with our circumstances or feelings. God is love, and what He commands us to do or permits us to experience is for our good. If we have a true perspective of God, then thanksgiving is due to Him for His watchful care and the deliverance He has promised to give us. Thanksgiving means a heartfelt and cheerful acknowledgment of favors bestowed on us by others, involving consciously thinking about a circumstance that makes one feel a sense of obligation. Spiritually, it is consciously looking for the good with God in view. Ingratitude is a common failing, often marked by a refusal to recognize debts or to feel obligated for services received. The American attitude often fails to remember the good He has done, becoming indifferent in relating blessings to God. He calls on us to reverse this in our lives through true worship, which requires a true knowledge of Him, keeping His commandments, and steady communication with Him in prayer and study. Thanksgiving arises from gratitude and brings forth praise, which is the joyous expression of thoughtful gratitude for blessings, help, or favors given. These have their basis in thinking directed toward God. Unless the mind is exercised daily in this, it will not be in the habit of thinking of God in relation to blessings. The Bible links thanks and praise so closely that they almost seem to be the same thing, though praise grows out of thanksgiving, moving from gratitude to extolling and acclaiming Him for His works, purpose, and nature. This process is described as a sacrifice, giving up time, energy, and effort to think about, thank, and praise God for the good He has done. Though Thanksgiving in America has become a parody, there is no reason why we cannot observe it in its best-intended purpose and spirit. While others may focus on the wrong things, we can make it a true thanksgiving to God, enhanced by sharing a fine meal with family and friends, especially those of like spiritual mind. Let us not allow the God of creation, our Savior, Provider, Healer, the One who tests our hearts and gives us great hope, His Spirit, and truth, to ever be far from our minds at any time. Then we can properly relate and give thanks for all things.