Learning to Be Thankful
Rex Yancey
1 Thessalonians 5:18
We are quickly approaching Thanksgiving Day once again in this country. In 1863 President Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving as a national holiday. The purpose of this day was for us to gather in our homes and churches and corporately give thanks to God.
The first Thanksgiving feast was celebrated in 1621, when the Pilgrims, after a very difficult winter gathered together and offered thanks to God.
I have often wondered why the atheists and secularists have not protested Thanksgiving. They have objected to about everything else we Christians have. I think the most difficult moment they have is when they feel grateful for something and have no one to thank.
Of course, Thanksgiving means different things to different people. For some it will be a time of feasting. We used to say at my Mom's house, ''Let's get up and eat and lay back down!'' We stuff ourselves so much that we become ''couch potatoes.'' Our children become ''tater tots.'' We gobble till we wobble.
For some Thanksgiving means a four day vacation from work. Others can't wait to go shopping. One of my former deacons said that his wife could go in a mausoleum and come out with a package.
For some Thanksgiving means Football! I heard of one Alabama couple that missed their daughter's wedding because of a football game.
I want us to think of three things about Thanksgiving.
1. OUR THANKSGIVING IS TO BE EXPRESSED.
An impression without expression leads to depression. The Bible commands us to give thanks. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we learned to give thanks on our own without being commanded to do it?
We have to teach our children to be thankful. ''Thank you God for the world so sweet, thank you God for the food we eat, thank you for the birds that sing, thank you God for everything.'' Thanksgiving is not mentioned in the Bible until 1 Corinthians. God's people have to learn to be thankful.
This is not only truth but ex ...
Rex Yancey
1 Thessalonians 5:18
We are quickly approaching Thanksgiving Day once again in this country. In 1863 President Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving as a national holiday. The purpose of this day was for us to gather in our homes and churches and corporately give thanks to God.
The first Thanksgiving feast was celebrated in 1621, when the Pilgrims, after a very difficult winter gathered together and offered thanks to God.
I have often wondered why the atheists and secularists have not protested Thanksgiving. They have objected to about everything else we Christians have. I think the most difficult moment they have is when they feel grateful for something and have no one to thank.
Of course, Thanksgiving means different things to different people. For some it will be a time of feasting. We used to say at my Mom's house, ''Let's get up and eat and lay back down!'' We stuff ourselves so much that we become ''couch potatoes.'' Our children become ''tater tots.'' We gobble till we wobble.
For some Thanksgiving means a four day vacation from work. Others can't wait to go shopping. One of my former deacons said that his wife could go in a mausoleum and come out with a package.
For some Thanksgiving means Football! I heard of one Alabama couple that missed their daughter's wedding because of a football game.
I want us to think of three things about Thanksgiving.
1. OUR THANKSGIVING IS TO BE EXPRESSED.
An impression without expression leads to depression. The Bible commands us to give thanks. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we learned to give thanks on our own without being commanded to do it?
We have to teach our children to be thankful. ''Thank you God for the world so sweet, thank you God for the food we eat, thank you for the birds that sing, thank you God for everything.'' Thanksgiving is not mentioned in the Bible until 1 Corinthians. God's people have to learn to be thankful.
This is not only truth but ex ...
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