Thanksgiving From Psalm 100

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.