THANKSLIVING

          The leaves are falling, the days are growing shorter, and the clock reverts to Eastern Standard Time. It must be November. And November brings thought of the holiday season especially Thanksgiving.

          A national day of thanksgiving was first declared by Abraham Lincoln at the height of the Civil War but it wasn’t until Franklin Roosevelt officially designated a national day of Thanksgiving was to be observed the fourth Thursday of every November that Thanksgiving was celebrated regularly. 

          There is probably no other national holiday that is celebrated by all nationalities in the United States than Thanksgiving. No matter what your national origin is, there are reasons to be thankful for the blessing of living in the USA. Even though most people can have an emotion of thanksgiving, Christians should express their thanks to God. 

          Despite the fact that no specific day of thanksgiving is declared in scripture, Christians should be thankful on a daily basis. “O give thanks to the LORD for He is good” and “In everything give thanks” are used repeatedly in the Bible.

          But the question remains “What is the proper way to express our thanks to God for His goodness to us.?” Certainly, frequent regular verbal expressions of thankfulness in church service, prayers or casual conversation are appropriate. Generous giving of tithes and offerings for the LORD’s work is also an appropriate expression of our thanks.

          However, the most appropriate and cogent expression of Thanksgiving is to live a life of thankfulness. That begins with having a consistent attitude of thankfulness. It demands persistant optimism and eliminating pessimism. Looking at the glass half full rather than half empty. Being thankful for what we have rather than complaining about what we don’t have. 

          But even more than a proper attitude, a thankful lifestyle is even more appropriate. A thankful lifestyle demands service to God in everything we do and speak. It compels us to “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance.” Col 3: 23.

          “In everything let your light shine. Before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Mt 5: 16. 

          Acknowledging the goodness of God verbally and working for Him diligently are not only appropriate ways to express thanks but it also influences others to glorify Him as well. 

          This thanksgiving season, may we develop a consistent appropriate attitude and lifestyle which persists through the entire year expressing our thankfulness to God continually.

Blessed THANKSLIVING,

Pastor Dave