Thanksgiving
Gary Waddell - iamnotashamed.com 11/20/2019
Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
(2 Cor 9:15)
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On October 3, 1863, expressing gratitude for a pivotal Union Army victory at Gettysburg, President Abraham Lincoln announces that the nation will celebrate an official Thanksgiving holiday on November 26, 1863. President George Washington called for a celebratory day of public thanksgiving and prayer during the time of the Revolution but it did not become an annual event until President Lincoln made it official. Both thanked GOD.
From the very beginning (of our country), Thanksgiving Day was meant to give homage and praise to God for His wonderful grace and mercy. As it is with Christmas and Easter (Resurrection Day), these days have been turned into days of feasting, revelry, shopping, and simply a “day off” from work as most have enjoyed over the years. While I am not taking away from family gatherings, I think most have missed the point of ‘Thanksgiving’. I truly believe that families should gather more often and this is a wonderful time to do that however, they should be focused on the ONE who supplies all of our needs – GOD Almighty. What a perfect opportunity to gather and praise our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ for all He has done for every human being. God sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to give His life on Calvary to pay our sin debt. Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift (2 Cor 9:15).
With all of the commercialism of Thanksgiving, it has drowned out the reason why this day was set aside. Many atheist groups have attempted to abolish it and have pretty much succeeded with all of the ‘black Friday’ shopping events and ‘travel deals’ by the airlines and transportation companies. So God has been removed as He has with other holidays. The liquor and beer companies profit from the holidays too. And as many of you, I am personally tired of hearing people calling ‘Thanksgiving Day,’ Turkey day.
Most all of the reverence has been removed from this important day. However, I am still grateful though, that Thanksgiving Day for many still has its roots in prayer and thanksgiving to God even though some do not worship God the rest of the year. Many prayers and ‘thanks’ are hopefully going up to heaven on this day. All of which hopefully glorify GOD (1 Cor 6:20).
There are so many verses in the Bible instructing us to give thanks to the Lord that one could fill pages of type, just printing out the verses. The word “thanksgiving” appears 28 times in the KJV Bible. So here is just a few reminders from the Bible, God’s word, regarding the word, “Thanksgiving”, and the phrase “give thanks", which appears 80 times. So we are to indeed ‘be very thankful’. Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (Titus 2:13-14). Thank You Jesus.
It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: Ps 92:1
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Ps 118:29
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thess 5:18
Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: Ps 50:14
I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. Ps 69:30
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. Ps 100:4
That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved
the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him
should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:15-16)
" Lord God, our heavenly Father, let our tongues give you praise and thanksgiving continually and may we always glorify Your holy name;
and let us be especially thankful for paying our sin debt.
In the precious and most holy name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior."
Thanks for “Taking 5" • Gary Waddell • Victory Ministries Middle Tennessee
www.iamnotashamed.com • God bless and bless GOD
