Thanksliving

November 23, 2025

Dr. Paul Cannings

With Thanksgiving approaching, we naturally begin to reflect on the many things for which we should thank God. We often look back over a series of events to decide how and when to express our gratitude. Yet sometimes, in doing so, we overlook the most fundamental reasons why we should give thanks in the first place.

A young man once shared this testimony: “Nine months ago, a Christian came to my house and said he wanted me to become a Christian. He spoke to me kindly and encouragingly, pointing out the errors of my ways, and I became converted. I had been a hard drinker, but since that time I have not touched a drop of liquor. If anyone had asked who the most hopeless man in town was, they would have pointed to me.” Today, that same man is the superintendent of a Sabbath-school.

This story continues. Eleven years earlier, when the man telling the testimony had visited Boston, he had shared his faith with a cousin who soon gave his life to Christ. Unbeknownst to him, his cousin was near death. Before passing away, he wrote to his brother urging him, “I am very anxious to get your soul to Jesus.” The letter was misdirected to another city and went unopened for a full month. When the brother finally received it, simply seeing the handwriting caused him to open it immediately. Those words pierced his heart and led to his conversion. That brother was the very Christian who later led the drunken man to Christ—who later led yet another neighbor to salvation.

As Moody concluded, “I tell you these things to encourage you to believe the drunkard can be saved.”

This is where “ThanksLiving” begins—by keeping the priceless value of being born again at the center of our gratitude. Salvation is God’s gift (Ephesians 2:8–10). No one sought God on their own (Romans 3:9–11). Our salvation was made possible only because “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…” (John 3:16).

Through salvation, by His grace, the Holy Spirit was poured into our lives (Titus 3:5–8). He equipped each of us with a spiritual gift (1 Peter 4:10), and when we faithfully use that gift, it results in eternal blessings (1 Corinthians 3:10–15; 15:58). Once separated from God, our prayers were unheard (John 9:31), but now, as His children, He listens even to the groans of our hearts (Romans

8:26). The Holy Spirit empowers us to grow in wisdom and righteousness, and God, in His goodness, provides material blessings as well (Luke 12:13–28; Psalm 112:1–3; 24:3–5).

Admittedly, this is sometimes hard for us to embrace because we often focus on what we lack rather than on seeking Christ first. Yet He promises that when we do seek Him, He will “provide all our needs according to His riches in glory” (Luke 12:29–34).

Happy “ThanksLiving”! May gratitude becomes not just a season, but a way of life