It’s Thanksgiving Day...Again

/ Mount Vernon Grace Brethren Church/

Many holidays have been added to our calendar for the purpose of commemorating historic or spiritually based events. Holidays in and of themselves are not necessarily bad, however many people (even so-called “Christians” in Churches) celebrate holidays for the wrong reason(s). For example Christmas is, more often than not, about materialism, tradition and selfishness than it is about remembering Jesus’ arrival upon earth. Also, frequently Thanksgiving is more about watching football and gluttony than it is the giving of thanks.

I would also add that what some holidays stand for should be perpetually celebrated. Easter is an opportunity to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection from the grave and His initial victory over death but I firmly believe that the church should celebrate Jesus’ resurrection every Sunday, not only on Easter!

Let’s go back to Thanksgiving since it was officially celebrated just eight days ago. I know that Thanksgiving is more related to American history than it is anything concerning faith or Christianity, but the premise of being sincerely grateful is good. See Paul, Silvanus and Timothy’s words to the Thessalonian believers

“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:18

If you and I were genuinely thankful on Thanksgiving Day, why should we not continue our gratitude today (and every day)? Are we thankful today or was giving thanks just a once-in-a-year event?

I want to — no, I will to, I literally choose to be thankful TODAY.

Here is a brief list of 5 things I am thankful for right now:

  1. I am thankful for light which yields both physical and spiritual life and brings illumination!
    Proverbs 29:13 says “The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: The Lord gives light to the eyes of both.”
  2. I am thankful for God The Father. Thank You Father for ruling, reigning and giving good and perfect gifts! Thank You for Your stability.
    James 1:16-18 says “Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from The Father of Lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.”
  3. I am thankful for my little flock. My flock is small yet fruitful. They are loyal and faithful. My flock is excellent, because they are committed to hearing, receiving and obeying God’s Word. Thank You Father for entrusting Your followers to me — may I faithfully watch out for their souls with tenderness and wisdom.
    Luke 12:32 says “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
  4. In an unjust and corrupt world, I am thankful for justice — God’s true justice.
    Isaiah 30:18 says “The Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you; and therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For The Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him.”
  5. I am thankful for both good and evil examples. Examples can teach us both how to walk righteously and what actions to avoid.
    In John 13:14-15 Jesus says “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also are bound to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.” And 1 Corinthians 10:6-11 says “Now [Israel’s sins] became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. And do not become idolaters as were some of them...Nor let us commit sexual immorality...nor let us tempt Christ...nor complain...Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.”

What are you thankful for TODAY? Please leave a comment below telling everyone what you are thankful for and let’s celebrate Thanksgiving all over again today!

Additional scriptures: Leviticus 22:29, Job 1:20-21, Psalm 95:1-7, Psalm 100:1-5, Psalm 107:21-22, Psalm 145:14-16, Psalm 147:7, Colossians 3:17, Colossians 4:2, Hebrews 13:15 and Revelation 7:11-12.