Every Thanksgiving we see pictures of pilgrims feasting but the truth of the matter is. . .for the Pilgrims. . .Thanksgiving was more about prayer and fasting.

The first official Thanksgiving was established in 1789 by President George Washington to acknowledge the blessings of God on a young nation.

For the next seventy-five years, Thanksgiving was celebrated occasionally but in 1863 President Abraham Lincoln established it as a national holiday on the last Thursday of very November.

Fast forward till 2022. . .many families will gather and indulge or, should I say, generally “overindulge” on the Thanksgiving meal.

We gather around the table. . .and thank God for the food and each other.

I have a revelation for you that my Momma taught me years ago.  Thanksgiving is NOT just one day; EVERY DAY is THANKSGIVING.

She’s right … but it’s not just because she’s my Momma. . .bless her sweet 94 year old heart.  Momma is right because that’s what the Bible teaches us.

Al Green, the gospel singer said:

“I’m thankful for every moment.”

At this point in your life. . .if you’re going through the fire. . .then a daily spirit of thanksgiving is just what you need to give you peace in the midst of life’s storms.

Colossians 3:15 in the Amplified Bible says:

“And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ's] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].”   

I particularly like the Message Bible translation of Colossians 3:15 which says:

“Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.”

May I suggest this Thursday before you gather around the table, that you take a moment and have everyone write out the things they’re thankful for this year. . .

“But Brother Harold, I lost my job this year, what do I have to be thankful for?”

Even though many people have experienced financial setbacks this year … we have plenty to be thankful for.  There are too many basics in life that we take for granted.

The fact that you are able to hear my words. . .that’s plenty to be thankful for. . .there are lots of folks who would love the opportunity to see and read.

“But Brother Harold, my house was foreclosed on, what do I have to be thankful for?”

As you hear these words, are you able to breathe on your own. . .without help?

I could go on with the ‘Brother Harold list of complaints’ I receive . . . but here’s the bottom line. The only way to escape what you’re going through is by praising God for what you’ve got.

When you begin praising God with an attitude of Thanksgiving . . . the devil gets nervous and calls 911. . .because he knows he’s in trouble.

Here’s what I know to be true about thanksgiving.

1.      Thanksgiving should be something you initiate.

Leviticus 22:29 says:

“And when ye will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving unto the LORD, offer it at your own will.”   

2.      You should begin your prayers with thanksgiving.

Nehemiah 11:17 in the New King James version says:

“. . the leader who began the thanksgiving in prayer. .”

3.      Continually write down and sing about what you’re thankful for.

Psalm 26:7 says:

” That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.”               

4.      Mixing your giving with thanksgiving will deliver you from your troubles.

Psalm 50:14-15 in the Amplified Bible says:

“Offer to God the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High, And call on Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall honor and glorify Me.”                   

5.      Praise God with thanksgiving in songs (that means everybody, including folks who sing like I do).

Psalm 69:30 says:

“I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.”          

6.      You enter into your secret place of prayer with thanksgiving.

Psalm 95:2 says:

“Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.”        

7.      Thanksgiving will take you through the tough times to a better place.

Isaiah 51:3 says:

“For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.” 

8.      Words of thanksgiving will get you out of the dumps.

Jeremiah 30:18 in the Message Bible says:

“Thanksgivings will pour out of the windows; laughter will spill through the doors.  Things will get better and better. Depression days are over.” 

9.      Your generosity will bring others into thanksgiving.

2 Corinthians 9:11-12 in the Amplified Bible says:

“Thus you will be enriched in all things and in every way, so that you can be generous, and [your generosity as it is] administered by us will bring forth thanksgiving to God. For the service that the ministering of this fund renders does not only fully supply what is lacking to the saints (God's people), but it also overflows in many [cries of] thanksgiving to God.” 

10     Have a daily attitude of thanksgiving and let God know what you want.

Philippians 4:6 in the Amplified Bible says:

“Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.”  

This Top 10 list of things you should know about Thanksgiving has been written in honor of my Momma.

Now let’s share a little Thanksgiving humor.

“An optimist is a person who starts a new diet on Thanksgiving Day.” Anonymous

Kevin James, the star of the TV show King of Queens said:

“Thanksgiving, man. Not a good day to be my pants.

Here are seven of my favorite corny Thanksgiving jokes.

Q: Why can't you take a turkey to church? A: They use FOWL language.

Q: What happened when the turkey got into a fight? A: He got the stuffing knocked out of him!

Q: What do you get when you cross a turkey with a banjo? A: A turkey that can pluck itself!

Q: Why do pilgrims pants keep falling down? A: Because their belt buckles are on their hats!

Q: What did baby corn say to mama corn? A: Where's popcorn?

Q: Why did they let the turkey join the band? A: Because he had the drumsticks

Q: Why do turkeys always go, "gobble, gobble"? A: Because they never learned good table manners!

Okay, two more. . .

A lady was picking through the frozen turkeys at the grocery store for Thanksgiving Day, but couldn’t find one big enough for her family. She asked a stock boy, “Do these turkeys get any bigger?”

“No, ma’am. They’re dead.”

One more. . .

Do you know why did the cranberries turn red?

Because they saw the turkey dressing!

Why the humor. . .well, the scripture says, a merry heart doeth good like medicine and with all we’ll probably eat today. . .laughter will be needed.

God bless you and Happy Thanksgiving from the Herrings and the staff of the Debt Free Army.

Text GIVE to 817-693-1557 to sow your seed securely and easily.

BLOG COMMENTS POWERED BY DISQUS