1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJV — Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Thrill rides are always a source of excitement just ask any 10 year old or any dad who refuses to grow up when he enters an amusement park. Like a rollercoaster, these past 18 months, we have experienced so many ups, downs and twisting turns that we wonder if this crazy ride will ever end. Turmoil and devastation we have seen but we have experienced events that we are very thankful for. As we gather together with our families and loved ones, let us give thanks for the blessings our Lord Jesus Christ has given to us.
Psalm 100:1-5 NKJV — A Psalm of Thanksgiving.
Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing. Know that the LORD, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.
A gentle breeze rustles through the leaves, the early morning dew covers the grass and the sunrise reveals the miracle of a brand new day. As we wake we feel refreshed and thankful for another day of life. Harvest time has arrived and each year our nation pauses to give thanks for our country and the sacrifices early settlers made so that the “New World” could become a permanent home. It wasn’t easy. Prayer, sacrifice and determination were the significant factors that led to the celebration of the first Thanksgiving in 1621.
Psalm 107:20-22 NKJV — He sent His word and healed them,
And delivered them from their destructions. Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men! Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving,
And declare His works with rejoicing.
The English colonists we call Pilgrims celebrated days of thanksgiving for the harvest they had worked so hard to achieve but these were days of prayer, not days of feasting. Our national holiday really stems from the feast held in the autumn of 1621 by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Indians to celebrate the colony’s first successful harvest. The adversity the Pilgrims had gone through was dire but the gathering of two cultures and working together to survive strengthened and renewed the Pilgrims faith that God was in control of their lives and giving thanks paved the way for our nation to grow and become a great leader of the free world.
We have and will face many challenges in life. Despite protests, violence, political turmoil and an ongoing pandemic – we do, as a nation, have a lot to be thankful for. We are a blessed land. Innovative and resilient. We are free to express ourselves and to worship God freely. The pursuit of happiness came with a sacrifice that many gave for our country. We must never forget those who went before us and cherish the loved ones that are with us now.
Colossians 4:2 NKJV — Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;
God wants to bless your life. Pray for His wisdom, love and guidance. Always pray with joy and thanksgiving.
Revelation 7:12 NKJV — saying:
“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom,
Thanksgiving and honor and power and might,
Be to our God forever and ever.
Amen.”
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