For those who live in America, I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving Day last week. Time with family and a time dedicated to focus on the gratitude we should have for all God has given us is beneficial and has such positive effects.

Every day in our lives should be a day of thanksgiving. God’s Word gives us the keys to a joyful, fulfilled life, and He instructs us “in everything give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Sometimes we overlook the last part of verse 18, where we are told that “this is the will of God” for us.

The apostle Paul also wrote something very encouraging in his letter to the church at Philippi: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). Note the connection here: “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” will be granted to those who can be anxious for nothing and thankful for everything.

Wherever we live in the world, and whether or not our secular governments set aside a day for thanksgiving, that fundamental attitude and trait must come to mark God’s people. If it does not, then we are not becoming and we cannot become who God wants us to be.

There are fundamental attitudes we must develop and that we must “wear” in our lives. At the root of rebellion, sin, disregard and disrespect for God and His way is a lack of thankfulness. Of Satan, God says, “You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you” (Ezekiel 28:14, emphasis added).

Satan didn’t remember that. Look what it led to—and look at the behavior and depravity that resulted from the lack of thankfulness among the gentiles and those who choose not to know God (Romans 1:21-28).

Furthermore, we know that in the last days “unthankful” is one of the characteristics describing the state of mankind (2 Timothy 3:2). It’s something we need to be mindful of.

Do you want lives that are full of joy, purpose and zeal? Start with taking time to “count your blessings” and recognizing God as the source of all we have and ever will have.

Over the last few Sabbaths in the Home Office/Cincinnati East church there have been sermons given on “garments” Christians should wear. Among them are the garments of praise, joy and a cloak of zeal for God’s work. You might want to take the time to listen to them if you would like to build these traits back into your life.

Here at the Home Office, we have been busy assessing what we are doing in God’s work in both the areas of effectively preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world, and in how we are caring and providing for those whom God has called and made part of His body.

In this time of year, as we examine everything, we are developing plans for next year and beyond that we will present to the Council of Elders next week at their meetings.

At the core of what we do, we are reminded that we are God’s Church and that we are committed to the truth of God. We must speak it, but as importantly (if not more so), we must live it and demonstrate it in our lives. Christ made the foundational statement that He is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).

As part of His body, all of us must be dedicated to living, becoming and speaking the pure, plain truth taught by Christ and preserved for us in His Word. “Your word is truth” (John 17:17).

That we will do, as we follow Jesus Christ, the Head of this Church, and seek His will and guidance in all we do.

Personally, since being here in Cincinnati at the Home Office, I have become even more grateful to God for the resources He has provided. My zeal and energy, and anticipation for the fulfillment of God’s will for His Church grows day by day. We feel His direction as He guides us to what His work must become in the areas of public proclamation, congregational care and administration. There are things to be done and a lot of work to do. Over the next few weeks, months and years you will see and hear of the wondrous works God will do through His work and His people in this world that is becoming darker and darker (John 14:12; Habakkuk 1:5).

Pray for God’s work. Pray for His will to be done. Ask God and do the things that will lead to joy, zeal and complete commitment to God in your life and in the lives of God’s people.

And pray for all of us here at the Home Office—in addition to the Council of Elders for their meetings next week—that God will guide us, direct us and give us the humility to follow Him as He leads us to His Kingdom.