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

To acknowledge goodness: 

Thanksgiving is a way to thank God for His constant goodness, love, and providence in both good and bad times. 

As a core part of worship: 

Expressing gratitude is a fundamental part of worship and honoring God through words and actions. 

To celebrate God’s character: 

It is a way to publicly celebrate God’s character, mercy, and compassion by sharing what He has done. 

Cultivating a spiritual mindset

To foster humility: 

By acknowledging dependence on God, thanksgiving helps individuals stay humble. 

To deepen faith: 

Thanksgiving can lead to greater peace, change perspective, and deepen one’s relationship with God. 

To live a life of gratitude: 

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.