As our country was first being formed our forefathers saw fit to make a day of thanksgiving to express to God their gratitude for His providential goodness to them. God had delievered them and shown Himself faithfulness in the midst of difficulty. Thanksgiving is a type of praise that focuses on the goodness of God and expresses our appreciation for that goodness.
But how about us today? Why should we give thanks? Sometimes we find ourselves discouraged by our circumstances or think that there is nothing that is going right. What should motivate us to give thanks to God in the midst of difficulties? Why should we give thanks to God both now and all our days? Let me briefly share with you twenty biblical reasons why we as Christians should give thanks always.
1. We give thanks to make God known.
“Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples.” (1 Chronicles 16:8; cf. Psalm 9:1; Psalm 105:1)
2. We give thanks to Praise God.
“Therefore I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the nations, And I will sing praises to Your name.” (2 Chronicles 22:50)
3. We give thanks because God is good.
“O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting. Then say, "Save us, O God of our salvation, And gather us and deliver us from the nations, To give thanks to Your holy name, And glory in Your praise." (1 Chronicles 16:34-35; cf. Psalm 106:1)
4. We thank God because it is too late to do it on earth when you are dead.
"For there is no mention of You in death; In Sheol who will give You thanks?” (Psalm 6:5)
5. We thank God because it is practice for eternity.
“That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever.” (Psalm 30:12)
6. We thank God corporately because it shows our solidarity and strength.
“I will give You thanks in the great congregation; I will praise You among a mighty throng.” (Psalm 35:38)
7. We express our gratitude because it glorifies God.
“I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And will glorify Your name forever.” (Psalm 86:12)
8. We thank God because it is a good thing to do.
“It is good to give thanks to the LORD And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;” (Psalm 92:1)
9. We offer thanksgiving because God gives us the ability to express our praise.
“With my mouth I will give thanks abundantly to the LORD; And in the midst of many I will praise Him.” (Psalm 109:30)
10. We thank God because His is God 24/7/365.
“At midnight I shall rise to give thanks to You Because of Your righteous ordinances.” (Psalm 119:62, cf. Psalm 121:4)
11. We thank God because He created us.
“I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.” (Psalm 139:14)
12. When we thank God it reveals we are righteous.
“Surely the righteous will give thanks to Your name; The upright will dwell in Your presence.” (Psalm 140:13)
13. We thank God because His anger is turned away from us.
“Then you will say on that day, "I will give thanks to You, O LORD; For although You were angry with me, Your anger is turned away, And You comfort me. Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For the LORD GOD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation." (Isaiah 12:1-2)
14. We thank God because Jesus did.
“and He took the seven loaves and the fish; and giving thanks, He broke them and started giving them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.” (Matthew 15:36; cf. Luke 22:17-19)
15. We thank God because it is a sign that we are true believers.
“For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” (Romans 1:21)
16. We thank God because He has given us victory in Christ.
“…but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57 cf. 2 Corinthians 2:14)
17. We thank God for the blessings of our inheritance.
“…giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.” (Colossians 1:12)
18. We thank God in the midst of suffering for Christ as a sacrifice of praise.
“Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.” (Hebrews 13:15)
19. When we thank God we reveal the pattern demonstrated in heaven.
“And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever,” (Revelation 4:9)
20. We thank God because as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords He will establish His kingdom.
“We give You thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, who are and who were, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign.” (Revelation 11:17)
So this Thanksgiving and every day offer your praise and thanksgiving to God because He is great and greatly to be praised.
Wait, wait, I'm not ready yet!
Okay, now I'm ready. Make sure you get my good side mom.
This was taken on November 30, 2007. It is Alex's first attempt to eat rice cereal. He has been growing by leaps and bounds. He was at the 5th percentile on the preemie chart two months ago now he is at the 25th percentile on the non-adjusted chart! Simply amazing. He was 5 lbs. 12.9 oz. at birth and at four months is at 13 lbs. 10 oz. He is definitely an eater. He is only 10 lbs. behind Grace!
Don't let him fool you, he's only posing for the camera. He is so cute when he is sleeping. 
This is a picture of Alex with his uncle Charley at thanksgiving. We even caught Charlie with a smile on his face!
This is Alex's great-grandmother. How she loves her great-grandchildren.
Grace found her Nana's reading glasses and put them on. She is a ham in front of a camera. Definitely not shy.
I love this shot of Jenn and Grace. Grace is so loving right now. She loves to walk up to us and give us spontaneous hugs then run off again a second later. This was one of the times I had my camera in my hand.
Grace has to hug and kiss Alex twenty times a day. We'll enjoy it now because there will be days we'll have to remind them how much they love each other.
This was Grace's first solo flight on a ride. I was afraid she wouldn't want to go on by herself. I should of been afraid that she'd never want to get off. she ended up riding three times in a row.
I wish they all could be California
Just getting ready for our trip to Wisconsin over Christmas. Go Green Bay!!!
Reminiscing about my childhood!
Alex is plum tuckered out. Sleep, eat and go to the bathroom. That's a baby's main job. Oh yeah, looking cute too.
All the cousins of the Martikan clan.
