The Voice of Thanksgiving ~

May the voice of thanksgiving,
be heard joyfully today . . .
may words of gratefulness
be sung heartily as we pray.

May our heartfelt thoughts,
offer God His due praise
may we be grateful
as our thanks to Him we raise.

May the voice of gratitude,
be heard loud and clear
may our humble thanks
be detected by every ear.

May our praises be told,
at our dinner tables today
may our thanks transcend
beyond Thanksgiving Day.

May the voice of thanksgiving,
be our joyful noise today . . .
may our words of gratitude
be heard by God everyday!

~~~~~~~

Psalm 66:1

“Make a joyful noise unto God,
all ye lands:”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2016
Deborah Ann Belka

~ Have a very Blessed Thanksgiving ~

Give A Joyful Shout ~

May you give a joyful shout,
on this Thanksgiving Day
may your elation be seen
as you go about your way.

May gladness fill your heart,
for all God has given
may you remind yourself
just why you are forgiven.

May your thankfulness flow,
in a chorus of gratitude
may the joy of your salvation
reflect in your attitude.

May your praise be heard,
across Thanksgiving’s table
may you proclaim to all
God supplies our every staple.

May you give a joyful shout,
one filled with gratefulness
may you give God due thanks
for His loving graciousness!

~~~~~~~~~~~

Psalm 32.11

“Be glad in the Lord,
and rejoice, ye righteous:
and shout for joy,
all ye that are upright
in heart.”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2016
Deborah Ann Belka

Grateful Every Day ~

We don’t need a special day,
to show we are thankful
for every day to God . . .
we need to be grateful.

We can come together,
any day of the year
and share the cause behind
our joy and good cheer.

We can give our thanks,
no matter the season
a special holiday
needn’t be our only reason.

We can enter into,
the gates of thanksgiving
anytime, anywhere
without a single misgiving.

For, God doesn’t care,
when or how we show
our thankfulness to Him
He just wants to know!

~~~~~~~~

Psalm 100:4

“Enter into his gates
with thanksgiving,
and into his courts
with praise:
be thankful unto him,
and bless his name.”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2016
Deborah Ann Belka

The Bread, Way, Truth and Life ~

As we gather,
on Thanksgiving Day
lets not make light
when our thanks we pray.

We need to be,
genuinely grateful
for all things
we must be truly thankful.

We need to express,
our thanksgiving
with praise and joy
sans any misgiving.

We need to thank,
our Father above
for sending His Son
out His pure love.

We need to express,
our joy and elation
for the freedoms
of our salvation.

We need to convey,
to God each day
our thanks for the Bread
the Truth, Life and Way!

~~~~~~~

John 6:35

“And Jesus said unto them,
I am the bread of life:
he that cometh to me shall
never hunger; and he that
believeth on me shall
never thirst.”

John 14:6

“Jesus saith unto him,
I am the way, the truth,
and the life: no man cometh
unto the Father, but by me.”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2016
Deborah Ann Belka

Beyond Thanksgiving Day ~

Thanksgiving is more,
than food and football
it goes way beyond . . .
turkey on the table.

Thanksgiving isn’t about,
just one meal we share
it goes way further . . .
then a dinner prayer.

Thanksgiving is about,
each day of the year
making sure our praise
God is able to hear.

Thanksgiving isn’t about,
a single day with family
it goes way past . . .
our sated apathy.

Thanksgiving is about,
being thankful for all things
no matter what in this life . . .
to your table that it brings!

~~~~~~~~

Philippians 4:6

“Be careful for nothing;
but in every thing by prayer
and supplication
with thanksgiving
let your requests
be made known unto God.”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2016
Deborah Ann Belka

Tis The Season For Thankfulness ~

Tis the season . . . .
for inward reflections
a time to share
outward expressions.

A time to be,
for all things thankful
a time to convey to God
just why we’re grateful.

Tis the season . . .
for inner thoughtfulness
a time to thank God
for His kindheartedness.

A time to see,
how much we’re blessed,
a time for our gratitude
to be openly professed.

Tis the season . . .
for thankful contemplation
a time to say Thank You God
whatever our situation!

~~~~~~~~

Psalm 95:2

“Let us come before his presence
with thanksgiving,
and make a joyful noise
unto him with psalms.”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2016
Deborah Ann Belka

O, Taste and See ~

I’ve tasted the goodness,
from God’s banquet table
I’ve feasted on His Word
and now its a daily staple.

I’ve supped on the truth,
with my Lord and Savior
and now His Life and Way
I’ve come to daily savor.

I’ve been to the buffet,
of God’s benevolence
and now I understand
the meaning of excellence.

I’ve dined with my Redeemer,
my healing, Comforter
and now I know who is
my daily bread Provider.

I’m blessed beyond measure,
and I’m loving the fullness
now that I have tasted God
I’m filled with all His goodness!

~~~~~~~

Psalm 34:8

“O taste and see
that the Lord is good:
blessed is the man
that trusteth in him.”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2016
Deborah Ann Belka

Thanksgiving Dinner ~

Every year at this same time,
we sit at our dining tables . . .
feasting upon what has become
Thanksgiving Day staples.

We gobble down the turkey,
mashed potatoes and candy yams
then we sit back and disclaim . . .
I can’t believe how full I am.

But, this year I am not serving,
the traditional Thanksgiving fare
instead a healthy fruit salad . . .
is all I’m planning to share.

I’m going take some gentleness,
stuff it full of God’s love
along side of it will be the peace
that comes only from above.

I’ll pile high on each plate,
some joy and some goodness
right next to them I will place
some faith and some meekness.

I’ll top it off with patience,
and for the piece of resistance
I’ll pray for those whom I serve. . .
to have a lot of temperance!

~~~~~~~~~

Galatians 5:22-23

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love,
 joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith,

Meekness, temperance:
 against such there is no law.

King James Version
by Public Domain

Copyright 2015
Deborah Ann Belka

~ Have a Joyous Thanksgiving ~

Thanksgiving Verses

Psalm 26:7

That I may publish with the voice
of thanksgiving,  and tell of all
thy wondrous works.

Psalm 50:14

Offer unto God thanksgiving;
and pay thy vows unto the most High:

Psalm 69:30

I will praise the name of God
with a song, and will magnify
him with thanksgiving.

Psalm 95:2

Let us come before his presence
with thanksgiving, and make a joyful
noise unto him with psalms.

Psalm 100:4

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,
and into his courts with praise:
be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

Psalm 107:22

And let them sacrifice the sacrifices
of thanksgiving, and declare his
works with rejoicing.

Psalm 116:17

I will offer to thee the sacrifice
of thanksgiving, and will call
upon the name of the Lord.

Psalm 147:7

Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving;
sing praise upon the harp unto our God:

Isaiah 51:3

For the Lord shall comfort Zion: he will comfort
all her waste places; and he will make her
wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the
garden of the Lord; joy and gladness shall
be found therein, thanksgiving,
and the voice of melody.

Jeremiah 30:19

And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving
and the voice of them that make merry:
and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few;
I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.

Amos 4:5

And offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven,
and proclaim and publish the free offerings:
for this liketh you, O ye children of Israel,
saith the Lord God.

Jonah 2:9

But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice
of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have
vowed. Salvation is of the Lord.

2 Corinthians 4:15

For all things are for your sakes,
that the abundant grace might through
the thanksgiving of many redound
to the glory of God.

2 Corinthians 9:11

Being enriched in every thing
to all bountifulness, which causeth
hrough us thanksgiving to God.

2 Corinthians 9:12

For the administration of this service
not only supplieth the want of the
saints, but is abundant also by many
thanksgivings unto God;

Philippians 4:6

Be careful for nothing;
but in every thing by prayer
and supplication with thanksgiving let
your requests be made known unto God.

Colossians 2:7

Rooted and built up in him,
and stablished in the faith, as
ye have been taught, abounding
therein with thanksgiving.

Colossians 4:2

Continue in prayer, and watch in
the same with thanksgiving;

1 Timothy 4:3

Forbidding to marry, and commanding
to abstain from meats, which God hath
created to be received with thanksgiving
of them which believe and know the truth.

1 Timothy 4:4

For every creature of God is good,
and nothing to be refused,
if it be received with thanksgiving:

Revelation 7:12

Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory,
and wisdom, and thanksgiving,
and honour, and power, and might,
be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

King James Version
by public domain

Thanksgiving Verses

~ Thank You Jesus ~

Thanksgiving Day Prayer 2015 ~

The world’s full of chaos,
of it, man’s made a mess
nonetheless, I do pray . . .
on it, God will truly bless.

So my Thanksgiving prayer,
this year is going to be . . .
for every soul to let Jesus
from their sins set them free.

Free from all the wickedness,
the hatred and dissension
free from the fits of rage
the discord and faction.

Free from evil spirits,
idolatry and debauchery
free from sexual immorality
impurity and lechery.

Free from self-ambition,
jealousy and covetousness
free from self-indulgence
fornication and drunkenness.

The world’s full of chaos,
wickedness is everywhere . . .
and for the lost souls in it
I’ll say a Thanksgiving prayer!

~~~~~~~~~~

Galatians 5:19-21

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest,
which are these; Adultery, fornication,
uncleanness, lasciviousness,

Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance,
emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings,
and such like: of the which I tell you before,
as I have also told you in time past, that they
which do such things . . .
shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Copyright 2015
Deborah Ann Belka

Forget the Turkey ~

Forget about the turkey,
the dressing and the sides
forget about the pumpkin
pecan or chocolate pies.

Instead lift up your voice,
with shouts of joy and praise
to God your loving Father
let your thanksgiving raise.

Forget about the cleaning,
the flowers and table setting
forget about all the stuff . . .
over which you’re sweating.

Instead show the Lord,
your genuine gratitude
give your thanks to Jesus
for His gracious servitude.

Forget about the dinner,
and cooking that big bird . . .
instead let your song of praise
to God,  be forever heard!

~~~~~~~~

Psalm 95:1-2

O come, let us sing unto the Lord:
 let us make a joyful noise to the
rock of our salvation.

 Let us come before his presence
with thanksgiving, and make a joyful
 noise unto him with psalms.

King James Version
by Public Domain

Copyright 2015
Deborah Ann Belka

Thanksgiving Day Prayer ~

Lord, this year bless my family,
not just with food on the table
give them a real good helping
of everything, that You are able.

Give to them daily provisions,
of hope, mercy and grace
supply them with the strength
for running the faithful race.

Give them eternal patience,
for all the ruts in the road
let them grasp the meaning
of You, taking up their load.

Give to them daily renewal,
of mind, heart and soul
fill them with the Holy Spirit
so their lives, You can control.

Lord, this year bless my family,
with more than food on the table
may seeking Your perfect will . . .
become, their lifelong staple!

~~~~~~~~

1 John 2:16-17

“For all that is in the world,
the lust of the flesh, and the
lust of the eyes, and the pride
of life, is not of the Father,
but is of the world.

And the world passeth away,
and the lust thereof:
but he that doeth the will of God
 abideth for ever.”

King James Version
by Public Domain

Copyright 2014
Deborah Ann Belka

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

A Symphony of Praise ~

Lord, may I be ever thankful,
today and all year though
may praise and thanksgiving
come daily, from me to You.

May I always be made aware,
of all You have done for me
may I never lose my gratitude
or the love I have for Thee.

May I sing each morning,
a symphony of song and praise
may I lift up my whole heart
as my gratitude, to You I raise.

May I always remember,
the blessings, You have given
may I forever be mindful
You’re the reason, I’m forgiven.

Lord, may I be ever thankful,
to You in every single way
may praise be on my lips . . .
every moment of my day!

~~~~~~~~~~~

Psalm 9:1

” I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart;
I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.”

King James Version
by Public Domain

Copyright 2014
Deborah Ann Belka

Thankful 8766/365

Why we Give Thanks . . .

Because His mercy endures for ever
To Pay our vows to the most High
In remembrance of His holiness
To make known His deeds
It is good to give thanks
It is the fruit of our lips
To declare His works
To magnify Him
For He is good
For His glory
To Bless Him

 
We are thankful for . . .

Being partakers of the inheritance of the saints
The grace of God we have though Jesus Christ
The victory through our Lord Jesus Christ
The peace of God ruling in your hearts
God causes us to triumph in Christ
For salvation that is in the Lord
His wisdom and might
His wondrous works
All things

Who is to give thanks . . .

All the people
and sheep
of His pasture

How are we to give thanks . . .

With joy and gladness and the voice of melody
With cymbals, psalteries, and with harps
Making a joyful noise unto Him
Singing praise unto His name
In the great congregation
Publish with our voice
In the house of God
In the morning
At midnight
In prayer
In song
Forever

~~

Psalm 100:4

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,
and into his courts with praise:
be thankful unto him, and bless his name.”

King James Version
by Public Domain

~~~~~~~~~~~

There are so many reasons to be thankful.
There are  8766 hours a year ~ how many of them
do we spend in praise and thanksgiving for all that our
heavenly Father has done for us and all He will be doing for us?

Sadly, too few on my part!

Not Just on Thanksgiving Day ~

It’s not just on Thanksgiving,
that we’re to be thankful . . .
it’s not only on this one day
that we’re to be grateful

It’s about being appreciative,
every day in every way
it’s all about our attitude
in all the things, we do and say.

It’s not about the tasty food,
on today’s white linen table
it’s not about the fine dining
on Thanksgiving Day staples.

It’s about the provisions,
God gives us, all year through
it’s about how we receive them
what with them, we opt to do.

It’s not about what we have,
and all our many blessings
it’s not about the pumpkin pie
or the turkey’s oyster dressing.

It’s all about us sharing,
with those who have not
it’s all about loving others
in deed, not just in thought!

~~~~~~~~~~

2 Thessalonians 1:3

“We are bound to thank God always for you,
 brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith
 groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every
 one of you all toward each other aboundeth;”

King James Version
by Public Domain

Copyright 2014
Deborah Ann Belka

Every Day Thanks ~

Thanksgiving Day is upon us,
soon we’ll gather at the table
with family and close friends
to feast on our favorite staples.

We’ll set aside our complaints,
in exchange for gratitude
for everyone, on this one day . . .
puts on a Thanksgiving attitude.

To God we’ll give our thanks,
for family, food and friends
but once the day is over . . .
sadly, our gratitude ends.

We’ll go back to complaining,
to our own self-sufficient way
any gratefulness that we felt . . .
will begin to wither and decay.

Thanksgiving Day is upon us,
soon we’ll gather at the table
and this year I will be praying. . .
gratitude ~ will be a daily staple!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ephesians 5:20

“Giving thanks always for all things
unto God and the Father in the name
of our Lord Jesus Christ;”

King James Version
by Public Domain

Copyright 2014
Deborah Ann Belka

A Joyful, Thankful Heart ~

Lord, a joyful, thankful heart,
I bring to Thanksgiving’s table
a soul forever grateful
for all that You are able.

You make my plate complete,
when from Your Word I reap
the full bounty of Your grace
in Your kindness I do steep.

You fill me with such peace,
Your tender mercies overflow
Your love fills me to the brim
Your compassion in me grows.

You supply all my needs,
bless me with even more
You fulfill my every dream
with promises of life ~ evermore.

Lord, a joyful, thankful heart,
I bring to You not just on today
a soul full of hope and gratitude
for all You’ve done along the way!

~~~~~~

Colossians 3:15
King James Version

 “And let the peace
of God rule in your hearts,
to the which also ye are
called in one body;
and be ye
thankful.”

Copyright 2013
Deborah Ann Belka

Gracious Gratitude ~

Not just on Thanksgiving,
but every day of the year
give God your heartfelt praise
and it will bring you cheer.

For when we are thankful,
the entire year through
joy will flood our hearts
spilling over in all we do.

Every minute of the day,
thank God for His grace
every second you’re alive
praise His holy face.

Give Him your thanksgiving,
with a heart that’s forthright
and in the eyes of the Lord
you’ll be a pleasure and delight.

So, everyone let’s show Him,
our gracious gratitude . . .
today and all year through
with a thankful attitude!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1 Thessalonians 5:18
King James Version

“In every thing give thanks:
for this is the will of God
in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

Copyright 2013
Deborah Ann Belka

Our Plate of Goodness!

I love this time of year,
with Thanksgiving just ahead
it reminds me of some facts
in the Bible I have read . . .

In everything, be grateful,
let joy and praise flow out of you
in all things, be thankful
give God, the glory He is due.

Make peacefulness your habitation,
let your gentleness be made known
be kind, tender-hearted and forgiving
never be the first ~ to cast a stone.

Extend a hand to the poor and needy,
let hospitality be your perfect gift
help all those who have not
bring back to God, those who are adrift.

Show others your appreciation,
let them see your heartfelt gratitude
bless them for their helpfulness
be not selfish in your works or attitude.

Reach out to the sick and hurting,
let them see Jesus’ true compassion
show all an act of grace and mercy
let not the sun go down on your passion.

Be content with all that you have,
rejoice and abound in whatever is your state
be satisfied with all of the goodness
God has placed on your Thanksgiving plate.

In everything, be thankful,
let your praise be heard by all
in everything, be grateful
let your joy be seen by one and all!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ephesians 5:20
King James Version

“Giving thanks always
for all things unto
God and the Father
in the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ;”

Copyright 2013
Deborah Ann Belka

A Plate of Grace ~

Come this Thanksgiving . . .
there will be no turkey with dressing
there will only be a plate of gratitude
served with God’s many blessings.

As a substitute for candied yams,
we are going to feast on His kindness
and taste the sweetness of His favor
as we reflect on His loving guidance.

There will be no rolls and butter,
instead, we’ll eat of the Bread of Life
and with gratitude we’ll give our thanks
that we no longer live in hopeless strife.

In the place of creamy mashed potatoes,
there will be praise piled just as high
and we will sing to Him our adoration
instead of eating pumpkin pie.

The only beverage we will drink,
will be from the one True Vine
and with sanctification on our lips
Jesus’ sacrifice will be as sweet as wine.

Come this Thanksgiving . . .
I’m not making a traditional dinner
I’ll only be serving the grace of God . . .
to those I know ~ who are still a sinner!

~~~~~~~

2 Corinthians 12:9
King James Version

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient
for thee: for my strength is made perfect in
weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather
glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ
may rest upon me.”

Copyright 2012
Deborah Ann Belka

This Thanksgiving ~

My family and some friends,
celebrate our thanks on this day
and we offer up our praise
for the goodies on the way.

We fill ourselves with turkey,
and stuff ourselves with pie
and all around the table
you can hear satisfaction’s sigh.

Then they get up from the table,
turn the TV on
and like moths to a light bulb
they are all quickly drawn.

They tune in the big game,
watch them – some football
then yell unpleasantries
when someone drops the ball.

For hours they cheer and yell,
there is a lot of laughter too
when they play the beer ads
everyone laughs until their blue.

When the game is finally over,
and the last guest has moved on
I shut the door in silence
glad Thanksgiving Day is gone.

I step inside my house,
all around me there’s a mess
and it makes me think and wonder
how could all this . . . God truly bless?

What happen to the good old days,
when family stayed around the table
and showed their thankfulness to Him
not to our TV’s and their cable?

Well this year I going to unplug,
all the equipment and every toy
and this Thanksgiving in my house
all you’ll hear is praise and joy!

~~~~~~~~~

Copyright 2011
Deborah Ann