Thanksgiving

11/23/2011


Weather Report From Heaven: Sunny and bright, with an abundance of light and lots of singing and rejoicing.

Bible Verse of the Day: Psalm 75:1 " We give thanks to you, o God, we give thanks, for your Name is near; men tell of your wonderful deeds."

We as Americans take time every year to stop and give thanks for all of the gifts we have been given. It is a truly American tradition and it is awesome. We eat turkey, watch football and spend time with our families and the people we care about most. We feel pride in our country and in our generous hearts. It connects us to the Pilgrims who suffered greatly in both their voyage to America and in their first year of settling here, but still took time to thank God for making it here alive and for the blessings they had received upon arrival. Although challenged greatly during that time, they still recognized and appreciated that the God of the universe had provided for them in amazing ways, and humbly and in reverence, they wanted to praise Him. We as a country are going through some very difficult trials as well right now. The financial crisis shows no sign of abating, unemployment is high, many people have lost their homes and their confidence and there is a real tenseness around our whole political process. But we must still remember that the God of our founders still is worthy of our praise and Thanksgiving as we are the most prosperous and blessed country that has ever been created. I Thessalonians 5:16-18 states " Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." I believe as Christians that we should naturally be joyful and give thanks on a daily basis. The recognition of the magnitude of what Jesus did for us on the cross at Calvary should always give us hearths full of thanks, and that should naturally extend to all facets of our lives, especially our prayer life. The grace with which God has set us free from our sins and transgressions should always lead to an overwhelming thankfulness. 2nd Corinthians 9:15 says ' Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift." I hope that I reflect that joy and thankfulness to those who know me best on a regular basis. Sometimes the world overwhelms us, and can snatch our joy for awhile and turn our thankfulness into despair or disillusionment. But we must remember even then that life isn't about waiting for the storm clouds to pass, it is about learning to dance in the rain. By focusing on Jesus, and what He did for us, our thanks should be as free flowing as a river after the spring snow melt cascades down into it. Our great nation was founded with a reverent respect and gratitude for what God had given us. As Christians we recognize also what God has given us in Christ. Hebrews 12:28 summarizes then what our natural response should be, " therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe." I thank God for our country and for the things He is doing in my life and will continue to do in Christ Jesus, and I pray that we will have a revival in this country back to the One who is worthy of all praise and thanksgiving. May God bless the United States of America.