to our God

Pete Kersker - Nov 28, 2025

Jesus gave thanks to his Father in heaven for everything throughout his life. Jesus also taught his disciples (students) to give thanks to the LORD for everything in their lives as well. Today, as his disciples (students), Jesus teaches us to give thanks to God as well.

Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, for, "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it." If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for? So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:25-26, 30-31 NIV).

We've already seen this week that the LORD breathed into us the breath of life. God gives us life and breath and everything else. This includes the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we need to eat in order to live. Every day we are given is a gift from the LORD, so we have a reason to thank God.

And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe (1 Thessalonians 2:13 NIV).

God doesn't just give us what we need to barely survive in this life. The LORD offers many more gifts that will give us an abundant life (a full, satisfying life). We simply need to learn how these things are offered to us and do what God tells us to do. These additional blessings give us many more reasons to thank God.

Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? (1 Corinthians 10:16 NIV).

The LORD doesn't stop there. Our Father in heaven sent his Son to help us come back home when we leave and go astray. Jesus is the way the LORD provides for us to come back, be reconciled with our heavenly Father, and live that abundant life again.

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness (Colossians 2:6-7 NIV).

The LORD God has given us life, an abundant life, and even a way to return to that life forever. Every step of this path of life is filled with reasons to give thanks. Every day we can look and find excellent reasons to give thanks to our God.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 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 3:15-17 NIV).

Do you give thanks to our God every day?
What will you thank God for today?