Author: deanstuyvesant
Instead of a Bible Verse, I am posting an article.
What is Thanksgiving Day To You?
Family, Outings, Sports, Day Off, Work, Etc.
I believe that we should be looking at Thanksgiving far more than just a holiday for pleasure. I say this because of the way our world is going. How much our society has gotten away from God and what it used to be.
It appears that satan is gaining ground in his attempts to gather more souls to join him in his final attempts to overthrow God. It is sad to realize that people you know and maybe you will join them separated from God. Satan lost his war against God when Jesus (who is God) came down to earth and suffered, died, buried, and rose again and sits at the hand of the Father waiting to come back and claim those that have received Jesus as their Lord and Savior. There are two roads, a wide road (satan’s road) and a narrow road, (Jesus’ road).
Do you realize that all the provisions you enjoy like food, water, air you breath, your home, material of the clothes you wear, your life, etc. come from God? In addition God offers salvation which is life after death through His Son Jesus Christ. God is the sustainer of your life. You are here because He created you for a purpose.
Biblical thanksgiving is an act of worship that involves acknowledging and praising God for His goodness, grace, and provisions through a heart of gratitude. It goes beyond simply counting blessings and is defined by both Old and New Testament scriptures as a constant and active expression of devotion that includes praise, confession, worship, and even sacrificial offerings. Key aspects include recognizing God’s character and His works, giving thanks in all circumstances, and approaching God’s presence with a thankful spirit.
Core concepts of biblical thanksgiving
- A form of worship: Thanksgiving is not just a feeling, but an active, spiritual act of worship directed toward God.
- Acknowledging God’s character: It is about recognizing God for who He is—Creator, Provider, and Redeemer—and praising Him for His infinite majesty and glory.
- Expression of gratitude: It is a response to God’s gifts, blessings, and redemptive work in one’s life.
- A spiritual attitude: It is an ongoing attitude of the heart that is to be practiced in all circumstances, not just during good times.
Old Testament examples and practices
- Sacrificial offerings: The Old Testament connects thanksgiving with bringing offerings, such as bread and meat, as a thank offering to the Lord (Leviticus 7:13-15).
- The Psalms: The book of Psalms frequently uses words for thanksgiving to praise God for His mighty acts and deliverance (Psalm 100:4, Psalm 107:1).
- Hebrew word: The primary Hebrew word for thanksgiving, todah, literally means “extended hand” and is tied to confession, praise, or thanks, often expressed through song, praise, and offerings.
New Testament examples and practices
- Greek words: The New Testament uses the Greek word eucharistia, which is a combination of “good” and “grace” or “gift,” highlighting gratitude for God’s grace.
- Jesus’s example: Jesus gave thanks over the bread and wine at the Last Supper, an act that became the foundation for the sacrament of the Eucharist.
- Paul’s teachings: The Apostle Paul encourages believers to “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
The purpose of giving thanks to God is to acknowledge His goodness and love, express dependence, honor Him in worship, and cultivate a humble, grateful mindset. It is a spiritual response that involves recognizing God’s sovereignty and grace in all circumstances, which can lead to greater peace, deeper faith, and a closer relationship with the divine.
Expressing gratitude and worship
Thanksgiving is a way to thank God for His constant goodness, love, and providence in both good and bad times.
Expressing gratitude is a fundamental part of worship and honoring God through words and actions.
It is a way to publicly celebrate God’s character, mercy, and compassion by sharing what He has done.
Cultivating a spiritual mindset
By acknowledging dependence on God, thanksgiving helps individuals stay humble.
Thanksgiving can lead to greater peace, change perspective, and deepen one’s relationship with God.
The practice is meant to be a lifestyle of constant appreciation, not just a single event.
Fulfilling a spiritual purpose
- To renew submission:
Thanksgiving is a reminder of our dependence on God and can renew our submission to His will.
- As a spiritual discipline:
For believers, it can be seen as a spiritual practice that helps with sanctification and secures blessings.
- To prompt further blessings:
Some spiritual traditions believe that a truly grateful heart can prompt further blessings from God.
I pray that your mindset and those of your family, friends, acquaintances, and even strangers, that the Holy Spirit stirs your spirit to awaken you to know the truth and the truth sets you free according to John 8:32.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS AS LOOKING FROM ANOTHER PROSPECTIVE, THE BIBLE.
Jesus loves you and so do I.
Hello World, by Dean Stuyvesant.
For your information, I’m now on YouTube. I’m trying to expand my outreach for Jesus. You can watch my first video here: https://youtu.be/Y4DcHK-fdyk?si=H1YRex6YH5OXD6U4
ARE YOU CONCERNED?
ARE YOU CONCERNED?
The Apostle Paul who wrote most of the New Testament says in Romans 9:2 NIV “I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.” Paul was referring to people that did not have a personal relationship with Jesus.
Paul was continuously heartbroken for those without hope and without a Savior. God realized that his creation of mankind was losing their relationship with Him. Because of His love for us He sent His Son down to us to be the ultimate sacrifice for our sins.
When God created the Garden of Eden and Adam and Eve they had a perfect relationship. Then something happened that is called sin that changed that relationship. That sin was the result of violating the will of God. God told man that he was not to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, man choose to violate God’s will and they still do.
Since God created man with free will to make his own decisions, Sin occurs when a person chooses to be drawn away by their own desires. No one can make another person sin. People make their own decision to do so. Sin is personally and willfully choosing to disobey God.
If you are a born-again believer of Jesus Christ. Do you have a deep concern for people who are separated from God? Be honest as God knows your heart.
Many people are hung up on the term “born-again.” When God created man, He created them with a body, soul, and spirit. When Jesus departed this earth after His death, burial, and resurrection He said, I leave you one greater than I. He is referring to the Holy Spirit. The rebirth comes when a person receives Jesus as their personal Savior. This is where your spirit connects to the Holy Spirit. Your spirit has been inactive until it connects with the Holy Spirit. The rebirth is spiritual. A person confesses their sins and ask to be forgiven. They surrender their life to Jesus and the Holy Spirit takes overs and begins to transform their life in Jesus.
Somewhere during your transformation, you will become aware of those that do not have Jesus in their life. It could be loved ones, friends, acquaintances or just strangers. If you are a true follower of Jesus you will come to understand and feel sorrow for those that may be lost eternally, especially if it is a loved one. Don’t run away from the opportunity to share the salvation of Jesus regardless of whoever it may be. This kind of sorrow is not just a feeling but requires action. Not tomorrow but today for tomorrow may be too late.
Because God is love, He is most concerned about people who do not know His love through His Son Jesus Christ.
God knows and understands the sorrow of separation and is ready to give you His blessings and fulfill our purpose by the power of the Holy Spirit working inside us.
In the world today, it is easy to be caught up in the fleshly desires of life and lose sight of what matters the most. The glory of God and lost souls of people.
Are you one that believes that God is really mad at you and can hardly wait to punish you for your sins? Yes, God hates sin, but He dearly loves the people He created. He loves us so much that He sent His Son Jesus to be our sacrifice for our sins. There are two choices, you can reject God’s gift through Jesus Christ or received His gift of forgiveness through Jesus Christ and enjoy a relationship with Him. You are a free will person who makes their choice, right or wrong. Whatever choice a person makes will determine their eternal destination.
I shudder to think that loved ones, friends, acquaintances, or even a stranger would be separated from God’s love and grace for eternity. They go without God’s help and blessings because of a misunderstanding or teaching that crossed their life at some time.
God is spiritual and not in a physical form to us humans. That is why He depends on His people to help spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Are you concerned?
Jesus loves you and so do I.
Savior and Lord
SAVIOR AND LORD
Do you realize that there is a difference between these two words? The Bible teaches that we are to accept Jesus as both Savior and Lord. It is essential for salvation to be complete.
Jesus is the one who saves us from sin and the one to whom authority is given to continue His saving work. To reject His Lordship is rejecting His saving work. Jesus as the Savior offers redemption for our sins and Jesus as the Lord ask believers to surrender their lives to His rule and guidance.
Jesus as Savior means receiving forgiveness and a new life. Accepting Jesus as Lord means a daily yielding to His will and trusting Him with your entire life. Jesus expects to be called Savior and Lord.
If you are honest with yourself, you must realize that your decisions in your life are not very good. If we followed the Bible guide lines, life would be so much better. Most often we think we have the answers to our problems. Yes, I am no different and I have learned and still learning a lot by hard knocks. I am trying to pass on some important lessons that could save you from some of your serious problems.
Time is short, whether you want to believe it or not. God has blessed me with 89 years on this earth. When I stop and think, I ask myself, time has gone by so fast. You may come to realize how fast, days, months, and years go by faster and faster. The most important question you need to look at, is how do I stand with Jesus Christ? Is my name written in the BOOK OF LIFE?
Maybe you have not received Jesus Christ as your Savior. Maybe you have received Jesus as your Savior but not as Lord. I pray that you consider doing so soon. The Bible tells us not to put off till tomorrow what you can do today.
Jesus loves you and so do I.
SALVATION
Salvation is not deliverance from hell alone; it is deliverance from sin.
Charles Spurgeon.
Have you received the salvation that Jesus provided to everyone who will confess Jesus Christ is Lord and invite Him into your life as your Savior. He loves you more than you know. Today He is knocking at your door. Don’t wait until tomorrow as tomorrow may not come.
Love to all
Welcome to Deanstuyvesant.com 