This month our series is, "Thanks for the _________"
Each week we will direct our attention toward God and be encouraged to express our gratitude and appreciation to Him in four specific areas.

The word "thanks" is pretty easy to understand. Cambridge dictionary defines it as "to express to someone that you are pleased about or are grateful for who they are or something they have done."

Here are some things to think about regarding the power of gratitude and the practice of appreciation:
- Expressing gratitude and appreciation are essential to enjoying life now and in the future.
- Appreciation reminds us of what has strengthened and shaped us.
- As we mull over who and what has contributed to our life, we intentionally look up, look forward, look around, and look behind at how far we've come.
- Gratitude connects us to the wonderfully ordinary things that have added joy, love, companionship, meaning, and contentment to our lives.
- Research shows that people who practice being grateful show significantly higher levels of happiness and psychological well-being.

Thankfulness can be cultivated. Just two consecutive weeks of daily gratitude practice has lasting positive effects on one's mood and level of optimism which can last up to six months.

Our challenge in November is to reflect on the people and events that have shaped you, and then become expressive in your gratitude. Do this by communicating your thanks to those to whom it is due.

A key passage to fuel our thinking on the idea of being more thankful is found in James 1:17.
Our gratitude first and foremost must be directed toward God. He is the author, giver, provider, and blesser who brings good into our lives. God doesn't play favorites. Jesus spoke of His Father in Matthew 15:45b [NLT]

Let's say to God..."Thanks for Loving Me"

In the New Living Translation of the Bible, the word love is used 645 times and 574 in the New International Version. And overwhelmingly, the word love is used about God to describe His nature and commitment to all of mankind.
Romans 5:8
1 John 4:16a
John 3:16

According to the Bible, love is God's nature. And that love is expressed in "an action of committed sacrifice toward us; regardless of our response."

God is our creator. He chose to create us and gifted us life. He didn't need to but He wanted to share Himself with us so we could have a relationship with Him. This is similar to how a godly parent feels about their own children.

When God gave us life, He was totally aware of our nature and the choices we would make. And yet He loves us. He loves you. He loves me.
Lamentations 3:22-23
When someone loves us we should express our gratitude, thanksgiving, appreciation, and gratefulness.

We all know how it feels when someone takes us for granted.
As Christians, those who God created and saved, we should express our thankfulness to Him more often.
Ephesians 5:20
Colossians 3:17
1 Thessalonians 5:18

Let's all work together during the month of November and practice gratitude a little more than we have been!
This can be done personally, in your family, in our church, and in the areas of life where you journey daily.
Start by saying this phrase each day this week: God, thank you for loving me. Then see where the Holy Spirit leads your thoughts from there.