(On a side note: I'm not gonna lie... I wish people would spend more time on Thanksgiving instead of skipping right to Christmas. I like both holidays but it would do folks good to dwell on their blessings. Truth is, how cool would it be if Christmas were in January or February?! Just think, we have all of these great holidays at the end of the year (Hunting Season, Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve, New Years Day), and then the new year hits and there's nothing. And the weather sucks. Talk about a good way to make everyone depressed. I vote that they move Christmas to the beginning of the year!!! It's a win-win situation! LOL
Also, I have nothing against great sales or going shopping... but this is a thought provoking perspective... )
For the sake of time I'm not going to go through my posts and edit anything, so you will find out-of-date comments about the presidential election and such. Anyways, I hope you are as edified by God's blessed wisdom and words on thanksgiving as I have been.
My Facebook posts on Thanksgiving from November 2012:
Since Thanksgiving is coming up at the end of this month I am going to try and post a Bible verse about thankfulness everyday!
Psalm 100:4-5, Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
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2 Corinthians 4:14
Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man parish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
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...and so it is Election Day! I'm guessing that a whole lot of American's will be sitting on the edges of their chairs, twiddling their thumbs as the results come in tonight. Whatever way the coin lands it is a comfort to remember who is really The Power:
Revelation 7:12
"And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen."
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I doubt many people have suffered like Paul the Apostle did, but life sure does take us all on a journey:
Acts 28:11-15
And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days.
And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli: Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome. And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.
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1 Corinthians 15:55-58
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
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Absolute Truth:
Psalm 136:1
O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good:
for his mercy endureth for ever.
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I am really thankful to have a bountiful supply of meat right outside the door. Homegrown Jersey meat is amazing!
"Eat beef... the West wasn't won on salad."
1 Timothy 4:3-5
Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
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What a blessing to be complete in HIM.
Colossians 1:12-14
Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
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Lately I've been discussing the love of God with my brother Isaac.
Ephesians 5:1-4
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
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I know that some people mistake the meaning of this passage to say that God will answer our prayers. What it does says is just as wonderful (if not better?).... because peace and understanding for the many issues that we deal with in life is what we need to carry on and serve the Lord.
Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful 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.
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On the flip side of the verses I have shared about thankfulness:
There are so many people in this world who refuse to acknowledge God. They know the truth but they do not glorify Him, they are not thankful and their hearts are so very dark.
Romans 1:20-25
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
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Psalm 75:1
Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare.
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What a privilege to be a part of the Body of Christ...
Romans 1:8
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
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Whatsoever ye do, do unto the Lord? ....this includes hunting deer, methinks. ;)
Colossians 3:12-17
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
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Always a good reminder....
1 Timothy 2:1-4
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.
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I am so very thankful to know so many brothers and sisters in Christ who are encouraging and refreshing because of their love and faith in Christ Jesus! What a fellowship!
Philemon 1:4-7
"I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother."
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In case you've ever wondered what God's will for you is, this is it:
1 Thessalonians 5:18
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
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1 Thessalonians 2:13
For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
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Wishing you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving day!!!
I was going to suggest that you comment here below and tell me what One thing you are most thankful for.... however it seems that our time would be better spent counting our Many blessings!!!
This sums up my Thanksgiving posts (for the moment at least).
This passage couldn't fit this holiday better....
2 Corinthians 9:6-15
But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;
And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.
Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
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