Originally posted: Sunday, 27 November 2005
     The Beausejour family took time this year [2005] to acknowledge the Lord with Scripture and prayer.  Below is the outline they used.  Perhaps there's a part of it that would inspire your family's time of thanksgiving before attacking all that great food.

BEAUSEJOUR FAMILY DEVOTIONAL 11-24-05

Colossians 2:6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness….

Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

Hebrews 12:28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our "God is a consuming fire."

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Psalm107:1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever……8 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men…15 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men….21 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men….31 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.

Psalm 136:1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever. 2 Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever. 3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.

1 Thessalonians 5:16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Revelation 11:17 "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign.

It's hard to think of one vice that the virtue of thankfulness cannot render useless. One does not need to steal when one is thankful. A man does not covet his neighbor's wife when he is thankful for his own. No one craves more when he is grateful for what he has. In the same way, a thankful heart cancels out pride and arrogance. No need to judge other people when you are thankful for who you are. No need to measure yourself by and compare yourself to others when you are thankful for what God has done in your life. You are not obsessed with what other people think of you when you are overwhelmed with the fact that God is thinking about you all the time. You don't have to hide your own sin when you are already thankful for God's forgiveness. You don't have to protect your image when you are already number one with God. You don't have to condemn other people's blindness when it's only the grace of God that has allowed you to see. You don't have to try for the highest place when you are already grateful for whatever place you were given. You don't have to make a show of spirituality when you are thankful for having received the Spirit. You don't have to clothe yourself in holy robes when you have been already clothed in righteousness. You don't have to be full of yourself when you are thankful that God has filled you up with Himself. Not only do we have a lot to be thankful for, our thankfulness can accomplish much. (excerpted from a devotional by John Fisher)