A Thought From Your Pastor November 22, 2020

Thanksgiving:—2020 may be a celebrated a little differently this year because of all of the concerns and all that is going on.

We still need to take time to especially thank our Lord and Savior for what He has done for us.

A thought from your Pastor!

Psalm 95:1-2 (NIV) ¹ Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. ² Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.

In America, this Thursday will be Thanksgiving Day. Its roots go back to 1621 when the Pilgrims celebrated their first harvest in the New World. But it was not until 1863 that it became an official U.S. observance at the initiation of President Abraham Lincoln.

In the most general terms, the way to give thanks was expanded from the Old Testament to the New Testament. In the Old Testament, God was normally thanked “for” things-His works, His attributes, and His blessings Psalm 106:1  Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. While that focus is maintained in the New Testament, it is expanded to giving thanks “in” all things 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV) give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

 That is, in all circumstances. We can do that because we know God causes “all things” to work together for our good Romans 8:28 (NIV) we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

So why not do both today?   Give thanks to God for His blessings and give thanks for whatever circumstances you are experiencing. Fill this day with thanksgiving to God.

Psalm 100:1-5  ¹ Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. ² Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. ³ Know that the LORD is God. It is

He who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. ⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. ⁵ For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Thanksgiving refocuses our attention: Life is filled with distractions that can make it harder to notice all that God has done for us.  Instead of living with the weight of the world on our shoulders, it’s good to try refocusing on the Lord by thanking Him for His faithfulness.

Thanksgiving refocuses our relationship: Gratitude keeps us from thinking that the Christian walk is about us and our needs.  Our fellowship with God is enhanced when we focus on Him.

When we’re overwhelmed, thanking God is probably not on your radar.  But I’ve learned from experience that acknowledging all the Lord had done is a sure way to change attitudes and re-energize

In the Book of Common Prayer (1549 forms of service for daily worship & Sunday worship in England) we read; “Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we, thy unworthy servants, do give thee most humble and hearty thanks for all thy goodness and loving kindness to us, and to all men.”

Even if our gatherings have to be small and maybe only immediate family, be sure to invite your Heavenly Father and Jesus.  They should be your most honored guests.

Always be on your guard, because satan wants to fool you into thinking that God doesn’t care for you or He is upset with you. Always remember Jesus loves you and wants the best for you.

Don’t’ be like this turkey and let Satan fool you.

God’s Blessings, Pastor and Carolyn