Give Thanks!

November 5, 2026

Give Thanks!

I have noticed that when I offer words of encouragement or expressions of praise other people are lifted up from their disappointment and built up in their outlook.

The pastor at the church we attend, is a Holy Spirit-gifted and Jesus-called preacher.

+There is a humble spirit about his message that makes it accessible to many different types of people in all kinds of life circumstances.

+There is careful research in his message that makes it consistent with the Truth of the Word of God in the Bible.

+There is a sense of humor in his message that keeps people both engaged and able to remember major points.

+There is practical application in his message that invites people to make life changes that honor God and grow their relationship with Jesus.

The pastor at the church we attend is a Holy Spirit-gifted and Jesus-called preacher. The pastor helps me to learn something new, remember something important, and better live a life of holiness.

I am grateful for our pastor…and I let our pastor know I am grateful. I offer our pastor words of encouragement whenever I meet him at the coffee shop or at worship. I express my thanks to our pastor when a message hits home with me or when a message addresses a sensitive topic or when a message builds up the church. I share words of praise when I sense our pastor is moving through a challenging season in ministry or at home.

Sharing words of encouragement does so much good for other people and for the one who offers those words. Expressing gratitude and thanks and praise changes the day or even the life of the other person and the life of the person who offers frequent and heart-felt praise and thanks. Giving thanks to our Heavenly Father is an important part of our worship of God.    

In his letter to the church in first century Colossae, the Apostle Paul lifts up the value of giving thanks to the Lord God. In Colossians 3:17 the Apostle Paul writes; “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

No matter what you are doing and no matter what you are saying, it is important to include thanks and praise and gratitude to our Heavenly Father and to other people. The Lord is honored by our praise and other people are encouraged by our praise.

Think about a person who is doing a good work and through whom the Holy Spirit is producing great fruit in a difficult set of circumstances. Imagine sharing a word of encouragement or words of gratitude with that person today. If you can offer those words in a face-to-face conversation, the impact is much greater and longer lasting.

Think about another person who is maybe struggling a bit right now. They may be working hard to achieve a goal but are continually met with new challenges. Maybe today they are disappointed or discouraged or even feeling a bit desperate. Imagine sharing a word of encouragement or words of gratitude with that person today. The Holy Spirit will use your heart-felt words to build them up with more strength and more courage and more boldness.

You have the opportunity today to share words and acts of kindness the Holy Spirit can use to grow even more delight in the Lord in the life of another person. It might just be worth your time and energy to offer some words of encouragement and praise to the Lord and to a couple of other people this week.

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug