We are thankful for you and for your encouragement, prayers, and financial support. This time of year, we realize more than ever how precious you are to us and this ministry that reaches all over the world. We invite you to join us this time of thanksgiving and praise!

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Colossians 3:17).

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:16—18).

Years ago, my dad preached some for little bitty churches temporarily without a preacher. One of his favorite sermons was on giving thanks. He emphasized how important it was for us not to limit our Thanksgiving to one day a year. Thanksgiving needed to be an every-single-day part of our lives. His illustration made my mother a bit squeamish because she had experienced what he described, could remember the smell and mess of it all, and wasn't sure it was appropriate to share. His point, however, is now deeply and inescapably etched into my memory whether I want it there or not. He said:

If the filthy creatures on the farm can grunt a few thank you greetings to the person slopping the hogs then surely we can give thanks to God for all that he has given us each day!

On this day when many pause with their families to give thanks to God, let’s remember what the LORD God has done to bless us and then give our Creator our heartfelt thanksgiving and praise. Here are some words from Scripture to help us:

We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty,
the One who is and who was,
because you have taken your great power
and have begun to reign (Revelation 11:17 NLT).

O Lord, the God of our ancestor Israel, may you be praised forever and ever! Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. Wealth and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and at your discretion people are made great and given strength.

O our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name! But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us! (1 Chronicles 29:10—14 NLT).

If the filthy creatures on the farm can grunt a few thank you greetings to the person slopping the hogs then surely we can give thanks to God!