Introduction: Hundreds of Bible verses tell us that God has called Christians to be a thankful people.

I Chronicles 16:8 "Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people."

I Thess. 5:18 "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

What sort of person doesn't give thanks? Tell the story of the farmer in the restaurant.

This morning I would like to share with you four things I am thankful for:

I. I am thankful for the Pilgrims.

A. Read the account of the first Thanksgiving.

B. Psalm 68:19 "Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation."

II. I am thankful for people all around me who live Christian values.

A. Read Chuck Colson's article about Morgan County relief. All of us need to be that kind of people!

B. Ephesians 4:32 "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

III. I am thankful for God Himself.

A. Sometimes the trials of this life get so strong that we become blinded to everything else, including all that we have to be thankful for. It becomes impossible to be objective. We can regain our perspective by being grateful for God Himself.

B. Tell the Robertson McQuilkin story.

C. Psalm 30:4 "Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness." Think on God's holiness, wisdom, power, love, mercy, immortality, justice and so on. That sort of thinking lifts you out of yourself onto a higher plane, and brings peace and thanksgiving to your soul.

IV. I am thankful for good memories.

A. We all come from different places, and were brought up in different ways. We have been dealt different hands in the card game of life. But, we have all had good things happen to us in this life. We try to remember via photographs, scrapbooks, and in other ways.

B. The the story of the lady in the nursing home.

C. Paul said: "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you," to the Phillipian Christians.

D. Try to forget the bad events. Remember the great things God has done for you. Remember the good things He has brought into your life, and be thankful.

Conclusion: Sometimes the trials come fast and thick, but there is always something to be grateful and thankful about. Let's close by reading this story about Matthew Henry, the great preacher and commentator.