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11-22-2007, 09:21 AM
"Always Be Thankful"
"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." —Colossians 3:17 NIV
This Thanksgiving day, we Americans will eat approximately 45 million turkeys, and probably spend the afternoon watching football. And we'll all be thankful for a day of leisure. It was begun by the pilgrims and was celebrated at different times in various parts of the country. In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln established a national Thanksgiving Day, which we are now celebrating. But with all our activity on this day, do we really take time to give God a big thank you?
Even before there were formal religions, humans thanked a higher power. The ancient Greeks thanked their goddess of corn, Demeter, each autumn. The Romans thanked their goddess of corn, Ceres, from which word we get "cereal." The ancient Chinese thanked with the Festival of Chung Ch'ui, considered the birthday of the moon, and they baked "moon cakes" to eat. Hebrews thank God with the harvest festival of Sukkoth, which lasts eight days. Americans, whatever their belief, especially thank God on this Thanksgiving day.
But today's scripture urges Christians to do two very important things, not just on Thanksgiving Day, but every day:
• "Whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus…" Before you speak or act, take time to imagine what Jesus would do.
• "Giving thanks to God the Father through him." Always remember to say thanks!
Father, accept our thanks for the bounty we enjoy. Bless our nation and show us the way to live peacefully with others around the world. In Jesus' precious name, Amen.
"Prayerful Living"
"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." —Colossians 3:17 NIV
This Thanksgiving day, we Americans will eat approximately 45 million turkeys, and probably spend the afternoon watching football. And we'll all be thankful for a day of leisure. It was begun by the pilgrims and was celebrated at different times in various parts of the country. In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln established a national Thanksgiving Day, which we are now celebrating. But with all our activity on this day, do we really take time to give God a big thank you?
Even before there were formal religions, humans thanked a higher power. The ancient Greeks thanked their goddess of corn, Demeter, each autumn. The Romans thanked their goddess of corn, Ceres, from which word we get "cereal." The ancient Chinese thanked with the Festival of Chung Ch'ui, considered the birthday of the moon, and they baked "moon cakes" to eat. Hebrews thank God with the harvest festival of Sukkoth, which lasts eight days. Americans, whatever their belief, especially thank God on this Thanksgiving day.
But today's scripture urges Christians to do two very important things, not just on Thanksgiving Day, but every day:
• "Whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus…" Before you speak or act, take time to imagine what Jesus would do.
• "Giving thanks to God the Father through him." Always remember to say thanks!
Father, accept our thanks for the bounty we enjoy. Bless our nation and show us the way to live peacefully with others around the world. In Jesus' precious name, Amen.
"Prayerful Living"