The world is in a season of thanksgiving, a season where family and friends come together to eat, drink, and be merry. We gather in our selected places often to fellowship, eat, watch sports, and perhaps later go shopping for what most perceive as the best pricing of the year. Most of the time, we are a little kinder to each other. Some volunteer to feed the homeless, the elderly, or those who may have loved ones who are no longer around their dinner table. It is a joyous time for most, but for others, it can be a distressing and lonely time. Postings on social media tell the world of great deals available to be purchased or friends writing about their plan to go shopping at what is known as “Black Friday Sales”. As believers, we know that Thanksgiving is not some pagan holiday and it is not just a one-day event. Thanksgiving is a daily occurrence. We have much to be thankful for, from our mire existence, but most of all, for God who sent His Son Jesus to take our sins that we may have everlasting life. Thank you Jesus for bearing our sins and asking The Father to send the Holy Spirit as a comforter. Thank you Holy Spirit for comforting us, leading and guiding us in all truths.
Thanksgiving didn’t just begin in the year 1621, but it actually began when God created male and female in the Book of Genesis Chapter 1:27, and in Genesis 2:7 God blew breath in our nostrils. Throughout the Scriptures, there have been many examples of God blessing mankind, and they give thanks to Him for His blessings. When the Children of Israel were delivered from their captivity in Egypt, Moses tells them in Deuteronomy 8 that the Lord has provided them with provisions; lands they did not own, the food they did not grow, their clothes did not wax old. In this land; For the Lord, thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills;8 A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey; 9 A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack anything in it; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass. 10 When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the Lord thy God for the good land which he hath given thee.
Moses cautioned them; Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day:
Remember who made it possible for you to breathe your very breath, the use of your extremities closed in your right mind (your mental health), and has given/offered you eternal life. So remember everyday is thanksgiving. Bless the Lord at all times. Let his praises be continually in your mouth. If we had one thousand tongues, we still could not thank Him enough. Colossians 2:7 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
So as you celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends, remember others in your prayers but most of all, remember the reason why you are able to celebrate your gathering. Jesus made it all possible when He went to the cross for you. Remember the gift of the Holy Spirit that was given to those who believe and follow Christ. Remember to Love your fellow citizens, even those who may hate you. At the core of thanksgiving, it is all about Love. Jesus says to love one another as I have loved the Church, not a building but the body (people) of Christ. The disciples didn’t just witness to the Jews the chosen people as it is written, but Jesus commanded them to preach Him to all nations. God told Abraham, I will make you the father of many nations. Let’s love one another; let’s show love not just on Thanksgiving but let’s start this day. What we may have done in the past is in the past in God’s Eyes. Look not back toward dark days but look forward to bright tomorrows.
I pray that this will reach into the innermost part of your body, to the soul of humanity whereby hearts and minds may be changed. Let love reign in your heart, forgiveness crown your mind and soul, and the Spirit of Christ rest, rule, and abide in you forevermore. Amen
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