Thanksgiving.docx

Devotional

Day 1: Noticing God’s Daily Gifts in the Ordinary

Gratitude isn’t about having more, but about seeing what’s already there. When life is full and blessings are common, it’s easy to overlook the quiet ways God provides each day. We can become so used to comfort and abundance that we stop noticing the small mercies—like a warm meal, a safe place to sleep, or a kind word from a friend. True gratitude begins when we slow down and pay attention, letting our hearts be softened by the realization that every good thing is a gift from God.
When we practice awareness, our perspective shifts from what we lack to what we have. Entitlement fades, and thankfulness grows. Even the most routine parts of our day can become reminders of God’s faithfulness if we choose to see them that way. Gratitude is not about waiting for something extraordinary, but about recognizing the extraordinary in the ordinary.

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” (Psalm 103:2-5, ESV)

Reflection: What is one ordinary part of your day that you usually overlook? Pause and thank God for it right now, asking Him to help you see His hand in the small things.

Day 2: Hungering for What Only Jesus Can Satisfy

People often chase after things they think will fill them—success, approval, comfort, or security. But deep down, there’s a hunger that nothing in this world can satisfy. In John 6, the crowd wanted more bread, but Jesus offered Himself as the true bread of life. He invites us to come to Him with our deepest needs, not just our surface desires.
When we pursue Jesus above all else, we discover a fulfillment that goes beyond what possessions or achievements can give. He meets us in our spiritual hunger and offers a relationship that brings lasting peace and joy. The more we seek Him, the more we realize that He is enough—our greatest need and our greatest gift.

“For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.” (Psalm 107:9, ESV)

Reflection: Where do you find yourself looking for satisfaction apart from Jesus? What would it look like to bring that longing to Him today and trust Him to meet it?

Day 3: Giving Thanks in the Midst of Difficulty

It’s natural to be grateful when life is easy, but true transformation happens when we learn to give thanks even in hardship. Challenges, limitations, and mistakes can feel like obstacles, but they are also opportunities for growth. When we choose thankfulness in the midst of pain, our character is shaped and our faith deepens.
God uses difficulties to teach us, refine us, and draw us closer to Him. Thankfulness in these moments doesn’t mean pretending everything is fine, but trusting that God is at work even when we can’t see it. As we practice gratitude in hard times, we discover a joy and resilience that circumstances can’t take away.

“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.” (Habakkuk 3:17-18, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a current challenge or disappointment in your life. How might God be using it to grow you? Take a moment to thank Him for what He is doing, even if you can’t see the outcome yet.

Day 4: Guarding Against a Numb and Demanding Faith

When we take God’s blessings for granted, our faith can become shallow and demanding. Like the crowd who kept asking Jesus for more signs, we risk missing the significance of what God has already done. Treating His gifts as ordinary or insufficient dulls our sense of wonder and makes us less sensitive to His presence.
Cultivating a habit of gratitude keeps our hearts open and responsive to God. It helps us remember that every good thing is a sign of His love and care. When we choose to notice and appreciate His blessings, our faith grows deeper and our relationship with Him becomes more vibrant.

“Take care lest you forget the Lord your God, by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you today, lest, when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them… then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God.” (Deuteronomy 8:11-12, 14a, ESV)

Reflection: Is there a blessing in your life that you’ve started to treat as ordinary or expected? How can you intentionally express gratitude for it today?

Day 5: Practicing Thanksgiving as a Pathway to Contentment

Thanksgiving is more than a feeling—it’s a spiritual discipline that shapes who we become. Choosing to focus on what we have, rather than what we lack, changes our outlook and draws us closer to God. As we practice gratitude, even for things that are hard or incomplete, we become people who see God’s hand in every part of life.
This kind of thanksgiving honors God and leads us into deeper contentment and worship. It reminds us that He is present in every circumstance, working for our good. As we make gratitude a daily habit, our hearts are transformed and our lives become a testimony to His faithfulness.

“Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.” (Psalm 50:14-15, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to be content? How can you practice thanksgiving in that area today, trusting God to meet you there?

Sermon Summary

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In this sermon on Thanksgiving, we explored the story from John 6:25-35, where Jesus addresses a crowd more interested in physical bread than the spiritual nourishment He offers. The message challenges us to recognize how easily we take God’s blessings for granted, especially when we live in abundance. Like the crowd, we often demand more signs or gifts from God, overlooking the greatest gift—Jesus, the bread of life. The sermon calls us to shift our focus from what we lack to what we have, cultivating gratitude not just for the obvious blessings, but also for challenges, limitations, and even hardships. True thanksgiving is found in recognizing God’s faithfulness in every circumstance and responding with heartfelt gratitude.

Key Takeaways

1. Gratitude Requires Awareness, Not Abundance: It’s easy to become numb to blessings when they are regular and plentiful. True gratitude begins with recognizing the gifts we’ve already received, rather than constantly seeking more. When we pause to notice God’s daily provisions, our hearts are softened and our perspective shifts from entitlement to thankfulness.
2. Jesus Is the Bread That Satisfies Our Deepest Need: The crowd in John 6 wanted another miracle, but Jesus pointed them to Himself as the bread of life. Our greatest need isn’t material, but spiritual—a hunger only Jesus can satisfy. When we pursue Him above all else, we find a fulfillment that possessions and achievements can never provide.
3. Thankfulness in Hardship Transforms Our Character: Being thankful for difficulties, limitations, and mistakes isn’t natural, but it is transformative. Challenges become opportunities for growth, and setbacks become lessons that shape our character. When we learn to give thanks even in pain, we discover a deeper joy and resilience that can’t be shaken by circumstances.
4. Taking Blessings for Granted Dulls Our Faith: Like the crowd who kept asking for more signs, we risk missing the significance of what God has already done. When we treat God’s gifts as ordinary or insufficient, our faith becomes shallow and demanding. Cultivating a habit of gratitude keeps our hearts sensitive to God’s presence and work in our lives.
5. Thanksgiving Is a Spiritual Discipline That Changes Us: Choosing to focus on what we have, rather than what we lack, is a discipline that shapes our outlook and our relationship with God. As we practice gratitude—even for the things that are hard or incomplete—we become people who see God’s hand in every part of life. This kind of thanksgiving honors God and leads us into a life of deeper contentment and worship.

Bible Study Guide

**Bible Study Discussion Guide: Thanksgiving and True Gratitude**

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### Bible Reading

- **John 6:25-35**

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### Observation Questions

In John 6:25-35, what were the people asking Jesus for, even after He had already performed a miracle for them?
How does Jesus respond when the crowd asks for another sign or miracle?
What does Jesus mean when He calls Himself “the bread of life” in this passage?
According to the sermon, what are some examples of blessings that people often take for granted?

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### Interpretation Questions

Why do you think the crowd kept asking Jesus for more signs, even after witnessing the miracle of the loaves and fish?
What does it reveal about our hearts when we focus more on what we lack than on what we have?
How does seeing Jesus as the “bread of life” change the way a person views their needs and desires?
The sermon mentions being thankful even for hardships and limitations. How might this kind of thankfulness transform someone’s character or faith?

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### Application Questions

Can you think of a time when you took something or someone for granted because it was always there? How did that affect your attitude or relationship with God?
The sermon challenges us to focus on what we have instead of what we lack. What is one area of your life where you tend to focus on what’s missing? How could you shift your perspective this week?
Are there any “signs” or blessings you’ve been waiting for from God before you feel truly thankful? What would it look like to practice gratitude for what He’s already given?
The message encourages thankfulness for challenges, mistakes, and limitations. Is there a current hardship or limitation in your life that you could try to thank God for? What might be the lesson or growth opportunity in it?
When you think about Jesus as the bread of life, what does that mean for your daily life and priorities? Is there something you’re pursuing that leaves you feeling empty?
The sermon suggests that gratitude is a spiritual discipline. What is one practical way you could build a habit of thankfulness this week (for example, keeping a gratitude journal, sharing thanks with someone, or praying specifically for things you usually overlook)?
How might your relationships with others change if you made a point to express gratitude more often—for both the big and small things?

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Sermon Quotes

We have been blessed to live in a land of plenty, and as a result, we have become completely unwilling to give thanks to anyone for anything. Gratitude fades when blessings become expectations.

It’s sad when we put other “needs” ahead of the bread of life made known through Jesus Christ. We pursue possessions and neglect giving thanks to the giver of all good gifts.

Maybe you aren’t feeling too blessed today. Maybe the pain of life has overwhelmed you to the point where you don’t see how blessed you truly are. Sometimes, blessings are hard to see, but they’re still there.

Focus on what you have rather than on what you don’t have, and see if it doesn’t improve your attitude. Gratitude can change your perspective and your life.

Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you want. If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful for the difficult times, because it’s during these times that you grow. Even your limitations and mistakes can become opportunities for improvement and valuable lessons.

It’s easy to be thankful for the good things, but a life of true fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks. Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they can become your blessings.

We want Jesus to give us one more thing, one more demonstration of his power, as if his ministry is a magic show. But it’s well past time for us to show our gratitude for the gifts he has already given.

We have been given the bread of life. We know this bread and have had our only lasting hunger satisfied. Now we may be truly thankful to the God who deserves our thanksgiving.

People who have been blessed beyond measure are people who need to give thanks to the giver of all good gifts. Don’t take God or those blessings for granted.

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