2025.11.24 Devotional. A HEART OF GRATITUDE
Devotional Thoughts for Thanksgiving
William Akehurst, HSWC
SCRIPTURES:
Psalm 118:24, Psalm 107:1, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, James 1:17, Philippians 4:6-7, Psalm 100:4
KEY WORDS: Thanksgiving, gratitude, prayer, praise and worship, contentment, intimacy
BIG IDEA: Gratitude is not just a response to blessing; it’s a posture of the heart toward GOD. Thanksgiving is not seasonal, but spiritual and continual. Every day is to be a day of thanksgiving.
That’s why Psalms says:
“THIS IS THE DAY the LORD has made; we will REJOICE and BE GLAD IN IT.” Psalm 118:24
GOD’S GOODNESS and MERCY
Psalm 107:1 “Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”
GRATITUDE IN ALL SEASONS
1 Thessalonians 5:18 “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
RECOGNIZE THE SOURCE OF BLESSINGS
James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above…”
PRAYERFUL GRATITUDE AND PEACE
Philippians 4:6-7 “In everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving…”
RESULTS OF THANKFULNESS
Psalm 100:4 “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving…”
POINT:
• Gratitude shifts our focus from what’s missing to what’s present.
• Thanksgiving is both a command and a key to spiritual peace and joy.
• True thanksgiving acknowledges WHO GOD IS, not only what HE’s done.
• Gratitude leads to worship, contentment, and deeper intimacy with GOD.
REFLECT:
• What is one blessing this year that you are truly grateful for?
• Has there been a challenge that led to unexpected growth or blessing?
• Do I practice gratitude only when things go well?
• What would it look like to live with enduring thankfulness?
• How do I express gratitude - not just to GOD - but to people around me?
APPLICATION:
• Record: Write down 3 ways GOD has shown HIS faithfulness this year.
• Respond: Take a moment to verbally thank someone today.
• Reframe: Identify a difficulty and list how GOD is working through it.
• Repeat: Commit to daily gratitude (perhaps 3 blessings per day).
PRAYER
FATHER, we thank YOU today not just for What YOU have provided, but for Who YOU are. Teach us to be grateful in every circumstance. May our hearts continually offer praise, our words bless others, and our lives reflect YOUR goodness. Help us to walk in gratitude, recognizing YOUR hand in all things. In JESUS’ Name, Amen.
BLESSING
May the LORD bless you with a spirit of thanksgiving not just this week, but every day. May your home be filled with peace, your table with provision, and your heart with praise and gratitude. May thanksgiving open your eyes to GOD’s presence, HIS provision and SPIRIT IN you, and HIS promises. May JESUS CHRIST, our greatest gift, be the center of your gratitude, the source of your joy, and the reason for your hope. Amen.
Be Blessed and Be a Blessing,
Bill
