In Everything Give Thanks

 

I want to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving today.  I know many people will be assembling at their families' houses partaking of turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce, rolls, salads, and all the trimmings that are are a part of it.  Some people will be watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and some will be probably be watching the Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers and other NFL teams that are playing today.   There's nothing wrong with spending time enjoying yourselves doing those things, but I'm afraid many people don't understand the significance of the holiday in this generation.  There's nothing wrong with feasting and enjoying a time of leisure but let's not forget our Pilgrim forefathers who sailed to America in 1620 and 1621.  They didn't possess the luxuries we do today.  We didn't have the finest in accommodations back then.  But even though conditions were different back then, they expressed thanksgiving toward God for his provision and his goodness.  I want you to click on the link to the History.com website to read about the History of Thanksgiving.

I Thessalonians 5:18 says, "In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."  According to this verse, giving thanks should be a daily part of our lives.  It's not just for the fourth Thursday of November once a year only.  It's God's will to give thanks.  I recognize it can be difficult when Christians are facing storms and trials in their lives to have a heart of Thanksgiving.  But we just need to remember that God is on his throne and he isn't caught by surprise at the issues of life.  He isn't surprised over what's taking place in the United States and around the world.  He knows all about it.  But he wants us by faith to give thanks regardless of the situation we're experiencing.  Whether it's sunshine, harvest, rain, or snow in our lives, we must be thankful in all things.  Philippians 4:8 tells us to think upon those things that are pure, lovely, and of good report...etc.  We just do that.  We must captivate our minds and use them to think upon pure things and things from above.  If we don't, we'll panic when we face trials.

Philippians 4:11 says that whatsoever state we may find ourselves in, therewith be content.  (That's not the exact quote)  Again, we must have our minds stayed on the Lord (Isaiah 26:3).  We live in a world that's full of trouble.  You may proclaim that you're a born again Christian.  Just because you're saved doesn't mean life is full of rose.  Life is full of heartaches.  The Bible predicts that Christians will face tribulation in this life.  But if we don't keep our hearts and mind focused upon the Lord, then we're going to struggle fulfilling those verses which say we're to be thankful in all things.  We're to be thankful in all things whether life is sunny side up, or you're facing the most severe trial in your life.  You may be in a situation where a loved one is facing death.  They have terminal cancer and there's no cure for it.  Or you may have lost your job and you're about ready to face foreclosure because you can't make the house payment.  However, if we keep our minds stayed on the Lord, we can give thanks in everything.  I hope everyone has a blessed Thanksgiving.  Let's not forget the reason why we celebrate Thanksgiving.