Pastor Stephen Dedman

This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭118‬:‭24‬

Question
What is one simple, everyday blessing you can thank God for today that you may have overlooked yesterday?

Context
Psalm 118 is a psalm of victory and thanksgiving. Israel sings of God’s enduring love, His deliverance, and His faithfulness through every season. But this key verse reminds us that every day is handcrafted by God. Each one is an opportunity to rejoice, even when it feels plain, quiet, or normal.

Application
The day after Thanksgiving is a perfect test of true gratitude. Not the kind stirred by a decorated table or a large meal, but the kind anchored in God’s daily goodness. Today is another gift, another “day the Lord has made.”

As you return to errands, chores, or even Black Friday crowds, you can choose to carry the same grateful spirit you had yesterday. Gratitude becomes powerful when it’s practiced in the regular rhythms of life and on days with dirty dishes, packed schedules, or quiet moments of rest.

Let today remind you: God is just as worthy of thanksgiving on the ordinary days as He is on the holidays.

Truth For The Day
Gratitude is not tied to a season but to a Savior; therefore, every day is a day to give thanks.

Pray
Lord, thank You for another day You have created with purpose. Help me carry a grateful heart beyond the holiday and into the everyday moments. Open my eyes to the blessings that surround me, and teach me to rejoice and be glad in You, not only on special days, but in all my days. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭100‬:‭4‬

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Question
What can you thank God for today that you often overlook or take for granted?

Context
Psalm 100 is a joyful call to worship and an invitation for God’s people to come before Him with open and grateful hearts. In ancient Israel, the gates and courts referred to the temple, the visible place of God’s presence. No one entered casually. The doorway into the presence of God was thanksgiving, and the atmosphere of the courts was praise.

David reminds us that gratitude is not something we express after we meet with God. It is the very way we draw near to Him. Thanksgiving is the key that unlocks the place where His presence becomes real.

Application
Thanksgiving is far more than a holiday; it is a path that leads directly into the heart of God. When we give thanks, we are not simply expressing an emotion. We are stepping closer to Him. Gratitude shifts our attention from what is lacking to what God has provided. It steadies our spirit, warms our heart, and prepares us for worship.

On this Thanksgiving Day, let your first step be one of gratitude. Before the meal is shared, before the conversations begin, and before you consider anything you might still need, pause and acknowledge the goodness of God. Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and let your heart rise into praise as you remember all He has done.

Truth For The Day
Thanksgiving is the doorway that brings us into the presence, peace, and goodness of God.

Pray
Lord, today I enter Your presence with thanksgiving. I am grateful for life, for salvation, for family, and for every expression of Your goodness toward me. Teach me to live each day with a thankful heart and not only on this holiday. Let my gratitude draw me closer to You and deepen my worship. Fill this day with Your presence and let Your peace rest on all that I do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬

Question
What are you anxious about today that God wants you to hand over to Him?

Context
Paul wrote these words from prison, chained, uncertain of his future, and surrounded by pressure. Yet he speaks with a supernatural confidence that changes everything. He reminds us that gratitude isn’t something we wait for when everything is calm; it’s something we choose when everything feels chaotic.

Application
The day before Thanksgiving is often full of pressure with cooking, cleaning, planning, traveling, schedules, and expectations. It’s easy for your heart to slip from gratitude into stress.

Anxiety rises when we feel out of control. Thanksgiving rises when we remember Who is in control. That’s why Paul’s words are perfect for today. Let thanksgiving push back the pressure of the day.

Truth For The Day
Thanksgiving is not something you wait for. It’s something you choose in the middle of stress.

Pray
Lord, as I prepare for Thanksgiving, quiet my heart from every worry. Help me give You every concern, every detail, and every responsibility. Fill me with gratitude today so tomorrow my thanks will overflow. Thank You for Your peace, Your presence, and Your faithfulness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.