Give Thanks...
26/11/08 18:28
What does Thanksgiving mean to you? Does it hold any significance, or is it just another holiday? This day, which should hold deep meaning and a special significance for all, has become a day that carries little of the original intent and meaning that inspired its proclamation. It has become just a day between two other holidays that serves largely as a springboard for the Christmas holiday. The day after Thanksgiving is the biggest shopping day of the year, as holiday shoppers rush out to scoop up sale items, to be used as Christmas gifts, offered by retailers to lure them into their stores.
Thanksgiving was a day set aside to publicly honor God in prayer and to thank Him for His blessings and the protection that He afforded this nation. Consider this quote from a Thanksgiving proclamation composed by George Washington, the first President of the United States of America:
WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houfes of Congress have, by their joint committee, requefted me "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLICK THANSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to eftablifh a form of government for their safety and happiness:"
This proclamation was written on October 3, 1789. Our forefathers and the people of this country recognized the unique relationship that existed between this nation and Almighty God. They were not ashamed to publicly announce and acknowledge the blessings of God and His importance to the existence of this country.
NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and affign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of thefe States to the fervice of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our fincere and humble thanksfor His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation;
Now this nation wants to distance itself as far away as it possibly can from the name of God. Public displays of prayer and supplication to God are no longer acceptable and in fact not allowed in many places and settings. This nation, who once openly professed a belief, faith and trust in the Eternal God, has now completely turned their back on Him and wants nothing to do with Him.
And also, that we may then unite in moft humbly offering our prayers and fupplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and befeech Him to pardon our national and other tranfgreffions;
This year, wherever you gather and with whomever you gather for Thanksgiving, remember what this day was set aside for. It is so much more than just another day off from work, it is more than just a day to gather for a meal, it is more than just a day to sit around and watch football, or scour the ads for the “Black Friday” sales.
As you pause to ask God’s blessing on your meal, remember all of the blessings you have received from God. God is the provider of all things, we would have nothing without His love for us and His desire that we lead fulfilling lives. Our very lives depend on what He supplies day to day for this entire earth! Remember His mercy and the wonderful truth of His word which He has given to us. Remember the incredible, selfless sacrifice that His son made so that we might have eternal life and dwell with God and His son forever.
This nation and this world are in grave danger and facing insurmountable problems that only the return of Christ can solve. Let us look to God and His mercy and His love. Let us look to Him for the strength to persevere and the faith to not lose hope, but to look to Him for all things. Let all of the people of God raise their voices to Him in praise, with thankfulness for what He does and what He provides. Let us return to the original intent and purpose of the day of Thanksgiving and recognize the Awesome Everlasting God!
Philippians 4:6-7
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Psalm 100
1 Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!
2 Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
3 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.
4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
5 For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.
Until next time...
Thanksgiving was a day set aside to publicly honor God in prayer and to thank Him for His blessings and the protection that He afforded this nation. Consider this quote from a Thanksgiving proclamation composed by George Washington, the first President of the United States of America:
WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houfes of Congress have, by their joint committee, requefted me "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLICK THANSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to eftablifh a form of government for their safety and happiness:"
This proclamation was written on October 3, 1789. Our forefathers and the people of this country recognized the unique relationship that existed between this nation and Almighty God. They were not ashamed to publicly announce and acknowledge the blessings of God and His importance to the existence of this country.
NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and affign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of thefe States to the fervice of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our fincere and humble thanksfor His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation;
Now this nation wants to distance itself as far away as it possibly can from the name of God. Public displays of prayer and supplication to God are no longer acceptable and in fact not allowed in many places and settings. This nation, who once openly professed a belief, faith and trust in the Eternal God, has now completely turned their back on Him and wants nothing to do with Him.
And also, that we may then unite in moft humbly offering our prayers and fupplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and befeech Him to pardon our national and other tranfgreffions;
This year, wherever you gather and with whomever you gather for Thanksgiving, remember what this day was set aside for. It is so much more than just another day off from work, it is more than just a day to gather for a meal, it is more than just a day to sit around and watch football, or scour the ads for the “Black Friday” sales.
As you pause to ask God’s blessing on your meal, remember all of the blessings you have received from God. God is the provider of all things, we would have nothing without His love for us and His desire that we lead fulfilling lives. Our very lives depend on what He supplies day to day for this entire earth! Remember His mercy and the wonderful truth of His word which He has given to us. Remember the incredible, selfless sacrifice that His son made so that we might have eternal life and dwell with God and His son forever.
This nation and this world are in grave danger and facing insurmountable problems that only the return of Christ can solve. Let us look to God and His mercy and His love. Let us look to Him for the strength to persevere and the faith to not lose hope, but to look to Him for all things. Let all of the people of God raise their voices to Him in praise, with thankfulness for what He does and what He provides. Let us return to the original intent and purpose of the day of Thanksgiving and recognize the Awesome Everlasting God!
Philippians 4:6-7
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Psalm 100
1 Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!
2 Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
3 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.
4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
5 For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.
Until next time...