Today you should read: Deuteronomy 16:13-22
Today’s reading – about the Festival of Shelters – reminds me to be thankful. You would think, with all God has done for us, that would be a natural reaction in our lives – but it isn’t. Instead we complain about what we have and ask for more. We need to stop today and THANK God for what He’s done for us.
Let me lead us through a time of thankfulness today:
- Recapture the Moment (v.13-15a)
Sometimes we just need to stop – shut everything down – and live in a moment of thankfulness. That was one of the purposes God had for the festivals He required of His people. What about you? Are you living in the moment? A few years ago I was moved with that idea and wrote a blog post. If you have a minute – check it out.
So take a minute and get quiet – Recapture the Moment.
Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.
- Recognize the Source (v.15b)
Who is the Source of your blessings? Is it your hard work? Brilliant planning? Good fortune? No – those blessings came from the Lord.
Stop and Recognize the Source of your Blessings.
I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
In that day you will say: “Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.
- Recommit to Give (v.17)
When we are moved by God’s goodness – our response should be – What can I do? How can I help? Where can I serve? What do you need me to give? Ask God what how He wants you to respond and Recommit to Give to Him.
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.
give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.
Need a little more push to give thanks? Listen to this song:
Please reply with the TOP 3 things that you are thankful for. Let’s give God a praise offering on this BLOG today!
By: Tim Parsons — Lead Pastor
JumpstartCPC.com 
my relationship with God, my family, my health
To remind me each day to be grateful and to remember who the day belongs to the first thing I say is: This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.
I am so grateful for so many things, but I guess my top 3 are my salvation (and everything that comes with it), my family and Center Point (so grateful He led me to this church).
Included in that last one is a deep appreciation for you Tim, your commitment to speaking God’s truth and your love of people. Thanks for all your hard work! You and the rest of the staff are truly a blessing.
My wife Jojo and the puppy, community group at centerpointe, my job.