It is so beautiful to spend one holiday being thankful, but what would life look like if a sense of gratitude permeated our lives 365 days a year? What if, in all of our circumstances, we first focused on what we have, rather than what we don’t?

This Thanksgiving, and beyond, may our focus go beyond being thankful for what we have, but with grateful hearts, open our eyes to the needs around us, and put our gratitude in action.

Imputed Righteousness is a theological concept put forward by the Apostle Paul and named by Martin Luther that says when you and I put our faith in the forgiving work Jesus did on that cross for us, God puts the righteousness of Jesus on us!

Even Jesus, the very Son of God, who had legions of angels at his disposal, recognized the value of relationships and called twelve men to go on the journey with Him. He knew the value of having others around Him… of doing life together.

As you reflect this weekend on what you’re grateful for, take some time to sit with your Bible. Has the Word of God gotten IN you? Have you been radically changed? Thank God for the gift you’ve been given of knowing Him through His Word!

Who can we encourage today with a hello, a text, or a phone call? Who can we remind this week that God sees you and so do I? God loves you and so do I.

Believers wrestle with wondering where God is, why He isn’t answering, why they aren’t getting what they want. The hard truth that we tend to avoid is that God does answer prayers. Oftentimes the answer is no. God, we praise you for your mercy and kindness. Show us the next step. Give us eternal perspective.

We can only accomplish greater things when we are in a true, genuine relationship with God through belief in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. When we have a relationship with Jesus, we become vessels available to God to accomplish His work in us and in the lives of those around us.

Could it be that until you and I are "dipped into"... totally immersed… to the core of our being, with the good news that we are "the beloved son,” that we are "the beloved daughter" of God the Father… until then, we cannot possibly know who we are, what we were born to do, or how infinitely valuable we are?

We, as Christ-followers in the 21st century, face challenges unlike any we have faced before. But, we have the privilege, and yes, even the responsibility, to represent Jesus in such a way that we are not offensive, but exhibit love of another kind.