It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag. Father Dennis Edward O’Brian, USMC
Thanksgiving from Psalm 100
Has it ever occurred to you that no one were more disadvantaged than that small handful from the Mayflower who started setting aside a day of Thanksgiving to Almighty God? They had no homes, they were far away from their homeland, they had no government agency to help them. They did not have a way of transportation but their legs or a horse. They did not have store to go to buy food and the only food they had to get it for themselves. They had no money. They had to provide for fun and games, as there was nothing with enjoyment except what they made for themselves. They did not have telephone, cell phone, computer for means of communication with their relatives. There were no healthcare programs. They did have 4 of the greatest human resources: creativity, moral fiber, a willingness to work, & a never-ending faith in God. Thanksgiving Day is a distinctive holiday. It doesn’t commemorate a battle or anyone’s birthday or anniversary. It is simply a day set aside to express our nation’s thanks to our nation’s God. We and Canada & the Philippines are the only ones that have a Thanksgiving Day. What would happen if suddenly, all nations would begin to observe Thanksgiving? The traditional "first Thanksgiving" occurred at the site of Plymouth Plantation, in 1621.
It is amazing that when we look in the Bible it has much to help with thanksgiving by the words we find. We find the word thanks 75 times, thanksgiving 28 times, thank 27 times, thankful 3 times, thanksgiving 2 times and thankfulness 1 time. The word thanks is used is some form 139 times. We are good at giving God our requests but how often do we stop to thank Him? I want to spend a short time on our being thankful.
1. we first find the Sound of Thanks. Shout with joy to the Lord, O earth! This means to "shout with the force of a trumpet blast," a shout of joy to the Lord that comes from the bottom of your being. Has He solved a problem you had that seemed overwhelming? Has He given you the direction you needed to go? Has He granted a blessing that you know could only come from God? Can you shout? We need to share the goodness he has given us. We are to be joyful people. We need not be negative. Listen to this. THE PESSIMIST CREED! By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. "Why rejoice in sunshine? It will just turn to dark clouds and much rain! Besides that, the sunshine can hurt your eyes, More than, that it can cause skin cancer! Why should I smile? A smile might send a wrong message to a friend. A frown will burn more calories, we all know! Smiles might wrinkle my face. I don’t want to advertise for free for the dentist, because his fee was much too high! If I smile, everyone will wonder what I am thinking about. Why should I give a friend a flower? Flowers might cause an infection of my sinus glands. Flowers cost so much, and you can’t eat them? The beauty of the flower will soon fade! A silk flower will but gather dust! Besides all of that, I didn’t get a flower today. Why should I whistle, hum or sing? I don’t know the song! That song is too slow, and that song is way too fast! How can we sing in a strange land? I can’t sing, someone may think I am glad. Why should I go to Sunday school and Church? You know, I know more than that teacher, he just reads out of the book! The Preacher screams and wags his arms. He preaches the everlasting Gospel. That preacher, all he does is talk about money! I gave two dollars three weeks ago, Ain’t that enough? All there are at that church are hypocrites! Why should I encourage and say nice things to others? If I brag on someone, they will get a big head! And pride always goes before the fall. I remember something negative 22 years ago about them! Want me to tell you? It is always good to be realistic and pessimistic, because the optimist is wrong much of the time! I find it much easier to murmur, grumble and complain. Praise ain’t all it is cracked up to be. I like this grumbler’s corner! Can’t you see there is something wrong with everybody but me and thee! And to be honest, sometimes I worry about thee! The way to overcome being negative is to focus on Jesus. Now just take a moment & look at the people around you. Do they look happy? Or are they just sitting there with scowls on their faces? Jesus says us from all sin and that should make us glad people.
2. We are to service the lord." "Service the Lord with gladness." What does it mean for you to be glad? Are you a glad person? Would others you work with say that about you? Would your family say that about you? Would this church say that about you? This doesn’t say, "Serve the church." It doesn’t say, "Serve the preacher, or serve the leaders, or serve the organization." It says, "Serve the Lord." The Bible teaches that if we witness, whatever it might be, we are serving the Lord. He is the First and Last, the Beginning and the End! He is the keeper of Creation and the Creator of all! He is the Architect of the universe and the Manager of all times. He always was, He always is, and He always will be...Unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone! He was bruised and brought healing! He was pierced and eased pain! He was persecuted and brought freedom! He was dead and brought life! He is risen and brings power! He reigns and brings Peace! The world can’t understand him, the armies can’t defeat Him, The schools can’t explain Him, and the leaders can’t ignore Him. Herod couldn’t kill Him, The Pharisees couldn’t confuse Him, and the people couldn’t hold Him! Nero couldn’t crush Him, Hitler couldn’t silence Him, The New Age can’t replace Him, and Donahue can’t explain Him away! He is light, love, longevity, and Lord. He is goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, and God. He is Holy, Righteous, mighty, powerful, and pure. His ways are right, His word is eternal, His will is unchanging, and His mind is on me. He is my Redeemer, He is my Savior, He is my guide, and He is my peace! He is my Joy, He is my comfort, He is my Lord, and He rules my life! I serve Him because His bond is love, His burden is light, and His goal for me is abundant life. I follow Him because He is the wisdom of the wise, The power of the powerful, The ancient of days, the ruler of rulers, The leader of leaders, the overseer of the overcomers, and The sovereign Lord of all that was and is and is to come. And if that seems impressive to you, try this for size. His goal is a relationship with ME! He will never leave me, Never forsake me, Never mislead me, Never forget me, Never overlook me, and Never cancel my appointment in His appointment book! When I fall, He lifts me up! When I fail, He forgives! When I am weak, He is strong! When I am lost, He is the way! When I am afraid, He is my courage! When I stumble, He steadies me! When I am hurt, He heals me! When I am broken, He mends me! When I am blind, He leads me! When I am hungry, He feeds me! When I face trials, He is with me! When I face persecution, He shields me! When I face problems, He comforts me! When I face loss, He provides for me! When I face Death, He carries me Home! He is everything for everybody, everywhere, every time, and every way. He is God, He is faithful. I am His, and He is mine! My Father in heaven can whip the father of this world. So, if you’re wondering why I feel so secure, understand this...He said it and that settles it. God is in control, I am on His side, and that means all is well with my soul. Everyday is a blessing for I have had an experience with Jesus. George Smith
3. We are to be singing people with thanks. "Come before him, singing with joy." Paul and Silas were severely beaten and thrown into prison. The Bible says about midnight they were singing and praising God and God sent an earthquake. God says, "I want you to be happy" in this Psalm. How can we keep from singing when we know that Jesus saves us from sin, Hell and the second death?
4. We serve a supernatural God. "Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his He is in control." Do you wake up in the morning and say how will the sun be run today? Will there be enough air for me to breathe? God takes care of so many things that we do not even give thought to. God took every bone, every joint, & He welded them together with sinews & muscles & covered them with skin & gave us eyes that see, brains that think, & fingers that can pick things up. God made us, inside & out. He made you the way He wanted you to be. And He made me the way He wanted me to be.
5. We are His sheep. "We are his people, the sheep of his pasture." He is saying, "You be the sheep. Let me be the shepherd, & I will lead you beside the still waters & the green pastures. Just let me lead." He is a personal Shepherd. JN 1:12Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- 13children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. God is our protector. He is better than t he best body guard that any president or leader has ever had. He leads us in His pasture for it is His world.
6. We are to show Praise to Him. "Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name." How thankful are we? How much do we worship Him? Did you enter this church today with thanksgiving?
7. God always remains the same. "For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation." God is Good all the time. All the time God is good. His mercy is everlasting. His truth endures forever.
Robert E. Bruce describes the following incident: "While walking along a busy street one day, I heard someone singing. His sweet voice was distinguishable even above the noise of the traffic.
When I located him, I noticed that he had no legs and was pushing himself through the crowd in a wheelchair. Catching up with him, I said, "I want you to know, friend, that to hear singing from a person in your condition gives everyone else a lift." He answered with a grateful smile: "When I stopped looking at what I had lost and began concentrating on all I had left, I found much for which I could rejoice and be happy!"
