Some Thanksgiving Thoughts

Thanksgiving is finally upon us. And that means the Christmas is closely following. Often we put so much of our focus on Christmas; we miss this important American Holiday.

I like that fact that thanksgiving is not about buying presents or decorating trees and homes, etc., but it’s about getting together with family and friends and doing what we all love—eating! And more importantly, it’s about giving thanks.

Thanksgiving was established by President Washington on November 26, 1789. It is a religious holiday started by the Pilgrims. The first Thanksgiving lasted three days, during which the Pilgrims feasted with their Indian guests.

The Bible says to us as believers:

Psalm 106:1 – “Praise the LORD! Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”

Hebrews 13:15 – “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name.”

Yes, praise and worship can sometimes be a “sacrifice” because we don’t want to give it. That may be because we are down or depressed, or things aren’t going all that well. Or it may be that hardship or tragedy has hit your life and you don’t want to thank God.

But the Bible does not say, “Give thanks unto the Lord when you feel good,” but rather, because “He is good!” So, I encourage you to give thanks in this special holiday time.

May God bless you, and I hope that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends.

I will be up speaking at Skid Row at the Fred Jordan Mission in L.A. this Thanksgiving. Fred Jordan, now in heaven, was my uncle. Willie Jordan, Uncle Fred’s wife and my aunt, has faithfully continued reaching out to the needy folks of L.A. This is the third year I have done this and we have rejoiced to see the many that come to Christ at this great event, which not only provides food and clothing, but also spiritual hope.

To find out more about the Fred Jordan Mission, go to http://www.fjm.org/.