Since 1941, the United States of America has observed Thanksgiving as an official holiday. A lot of people think of Thanksgiving as being all about football, food, and family—but the day was first recognized in 1863 by President Abraham Lincoln as a “day of thanksgiving and praise to our heavenly Father." In other words, Lincoln wanted a day set aside to give thanks to God for all that He had provided to the early pilgrim settlers, who sought and found a land where they could freely express their faith.

This year, whether you live in the United States or in another country around the world, I encourage you to practice thanksgiving to God for all that He has provided to you. God offers us Jesus, through whom we have eternal life, and this is the greatest blessing of all.

Psalm 9:1 says to “give thanks to the Lord with your whole heart; to recount all of His wonderful deeds.” Wherever you are around the world today, I urge you to share with others about the good that Jesus has done for you. By doing this, you will reach the people in your part of the world with something that is truly worth being thankful for.

This is Luis Palau.