"He provides food for those who fear Him; He remembers His covenant forever." (Psalm 111:5, NIV)
The so-called "first Thanksgiving" in North America was largely in response to the reality of our text, "He provides food for those who fear Him...." He did. The conditions were beyond harsh. The people were literally in a life and death struggle for existence. Yet, just as the psalmists said, "Who executes justice for the oppressed, Who gives food to the hungry. The Lord gives freedom to the prisoners." He literally did this all for the early American settlers, and for Jesus' mercy and faithfulness, they gave thanks.
Thanksgiving is a gift from our Lord Jesus Christ. So many can look at their present situation, look at past heartaches as well as the times when those who have left us were "near to us," then not only fail in thanksgiving, but also surrender to depression, even for some, bitterness.
I cannot do that, because of Jesus and His Grace. I don't want to linger on where I would be, not only geographically, but also spiritually, if it were not for Jesus. Jesus has kept me in His Eternal Realm. Jesus, in His Cross, Blood, Death and Resurrection has kept me from the condemnation, both rightfully deserved from Him as well as the crippling self-imposed. The longer I live the more the great Biblical Doctrines are more and more Life to me, reminding me and helping me face the reality of my wretchedness apart from Jesus, but more triumphantly, my acceptance, "in the Beloved." Jesus is He Who, "daily loads us with blessings."
For those in the United States of America, I pray an enjoyable Thanksgiving Celebration. For those in other nations (and all of us) I pray a renewed attitude of thanksgiving. Today, so many speak of worship, intercession, prophetic revelation. Maybe some more time should be given to, "in everything give thanks."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I have endless reasons to be thankful. Thank You for this. Amen.
The so-called "first Thanksgiving" in North America was largely in response to the reality of our text, "He provides food for those who fear Him...." He did. The conditions were beyond harsh. The people were literally in a life and death struggle for existence. Yet, just as the psalmists said, "Who executes justice for the oppressed, Who gives food to the hungry. The Lord gives freedom to the prisoners." He literally did this all for the early American settlers, and for Jesus' mercy and faithfulness, they gave thanks.
Thanksgiving is a gift from our Lord Jesus Christ. So many can look at their present situation, look at past heartaches as well as the times when those who have left us were "near to us," then not only fail in thanksgiving, but also surrender to depression, even for some, bitterness.
I cannot do that, because of Jesus and His Grace. I don't want to linger on where I would be, not only geographically, but also spiritually, if it were not for Jesus. Jesus has kept me in His Eternal Realm. Jesus, in His Cross, Blood, Death and Resurrection has kept me from the condemnation, both rightfully deserved from Him as well as the crippling self-imposed. The longer I live the more the great Biblical Doctrines are more and more Life to me, reminding me and helping me face the reality of my wretchedness apart from Jesus, but more triumphantly, my acceptance, "in the Beloved." Jesus is He Who, "daily loads us with blessings."
For those in the United States of America, I pray an enjoyable Thanksgiving Celebration. For those in other nations (and all of us) I pray a renewed attitude of thanksgiving. Today, so many speak of worship, intercession, prophetic revelation. Maybe some more time should be given to, "in everything give thanks."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I have endless reasons to be thankful. Thank You for this. Amen.
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
Hebrews 12:2
Hebrews 12:2
