Historically, we have an image of Thanksgiving that involves Pilgrims and Native Americans, who offered the first settlers help to survive in an unfamiliar land. To Native Americans now, Thanksgiving is associated with the beginning of a campaign of genocide against them.
In scripture, however, thanksgiving is often taught, not as a one-day holiday, but as a spiritual principle and way of life that should permeate our relationship with God. The Psalms make multiple references to the importance of giving thanks to God. Our thanksgiving relationship with God begins even before we are fully formed in the womb (Ps. 139). The apostles also taught the importance of thanksgiving as a daily part of our worship and prayers:
"Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice...The Lord is at hand. Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:4-7
The apostle does not say that we are thankful for everything, but in everything. Our prayers should never be without thanksgiving. In return, that thanksgiving keeps us in the peace of God, and keeps us in Christ Jesus. Thanksgiving to God is so vital in scripture, that it is described as "the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (1 Thess. 5:18). The practice of thanksgiving to God then, spiritually impacts each of us personally.
However, not only does thanksgiving affect our personal spiritual growth, but thanksgiving in the mouth of a believer affects our state of peace and our pursuit of godliness in our society, and also the salvation of all people:
"I exhort therefore that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." 1 Tim. 2:1-4
We certainly need our society today, which is hostile to all mention and belief in God and Christ, to allow us to live in peace to worship God as we are commanded to do by His word. Regardless of how we may think about the political representatives and bodies in our land, we are commanded to pray for them with thanksgiving for our own benefit.
Do we want to see men saved and coming to the knowledge of the truth of God? This starts in our thanksgiving to God for all men, according to the scriptures. Paul continues, "I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting." (v.8).
David wrote many psalms of thanksgiving, including this one following the miraculous defeat of the Philistines, and the joyful return of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem among songs of praise:
"Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people...Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually...Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The LORD reigneth...O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise." 1 Chron. 16 (excerpt)
A later king, Jehoshaphat, also used praise and thanksgiving to worship the LORD, who then brought about a miraculous victory against surrounding and outnumbering enemy armies:
"...Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall you be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper...he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever. And when they begin to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten." 2 Chron. 20:20-22
Not only were the armies of the three enemy nations defeated, but Israel spent three days gathering spoil, because it was so abundant (v. 25). The spoil was so great, it was more than they could carry away.
We should use this time at our Thanksgiving holiday as a "life review", and a "miracle review". Are we incorporating thanksgiving in our lives everyday and in everything? The Word says that we would see great and mighty changes, personally and on a large scale, if we do so.
To Contact/Submit prayer requests/Support the ministry/Order the book, "NAZAH-White Linen and the Blood of Sprinkling", and to help us get out the message:
Dr. Kenneth Stevenson
P.O. Box 154221
Waco, TX 76705
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
http://endtimeschool.com/
P.O. Box 154221
Waco, TX 76705
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
http://endtimeschool.com/
To watch/hear Dr. Stevenson's complete message:
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.
To order "NAZAH": https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8 http://endtimeschool.com/
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