I love this holiday. It holds lots of fond memories for me. It is not about being a glutton and going away from the table stuffed as much as the turkey is, but it is much more. Today it is a challenge to even find Christian symbols of this important holiday even, sometimes sad to say, in the Christian bookstore. By 'Christian symbols' I am referring to the Pilgrims. Those men and women who bravely made the voyage from England in 1620 seeking to worship God and have freedom from the rule of the king. In 1621 the Indians and the settlers had a feast to celebrate the harvest and to thank God for safely guiding them to the new world. It was not until 1863 that President Lincoln declared it a national holiday to be celebrated each November.
This day to many is nothing more than a huge family reunion,parade viewing, and a day of football followed by a day of Black Friday shopping. No thought of Christ is even mentioned to many. Why not start a new tradition in your family and have each family member say one thing they are thankful for? It should be about family! This is one of the biggest family get together days during the year. Many miles separate families nowadays and I know being a military wife our extended family had always been our friends through the years who we shared the Thanksgiving feast with when we could not go home.Last years Thanksgiving was special meeting the family of my soon to be daughter in law. This day has always been a fun one. But the real meaning needs never to be forgotten. Merchants seem to rush to celebrate a secular Christmas before Thanksgiving is even over.
No matter what you are doing today stop and give thanks to God for living in freedom if you live in America. We all have something to be thankful for. Below I have listed several verses from the Bible dealing with being thankful. Read them out loud or as part of your family celebration today. Even if you are reading this from a foreign country you can still pause and give thanks to God above for all good things.
Several verses of Thanksgiving follow:
1 Thessalonians 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Psalm 31:19 How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you.
Psalm 95:1-2 Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.
Psalm 68:19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.
1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Psalm 107:1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Psalm 67:4 May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples justly and guide the nations of the earth.
Psalm 100:1 A Psalm for Thanksgiving. Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth.
Psalm 145:7 They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.
1 Chronicles 16:34 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
Colossians 3:17 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.
1 Timothy 4:4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.
Psalm 100:4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!
Go into this day with a heart full of thanksgiving! When you praise and thank God the enemy shudders and has to flee.
PRAYER: I thank you Lord for this day set aside to thank you for all you have provided for us. Help us not forget to thank you the other 364 days as well.Help me always have a grateful heart. In Jesus Name. Amen.
I have included a link from the History Channel website about Thanksgiving.It takes about 4 minutes to view.
http://youtu.be/wFDSobNnfQs
Also I have included a song of Thanksgiving. Click on link.
http://youtu.be/IBpv-ZzcQD8
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