True Thanksgiving

As we approach this Thanksgiving season we usually think of gathering together with family and enjoying great food...and too much of it. We might also think about the Pilgrims and the first “Thanksgiving”. But did you know that Thanksgiving did not originate with the pilgrims? Way back in the old testament God instituted several sacrifices and offerings required by the children of Israel. One of those was called the Thank offering or the Todah.

The Todah was an offering in thankfulness for the sacrifice causing one to be saved from death and being given a new life. It is an offering of thanks, especially for gifts received. Scripture emphasizes the importance of giving thanks to God for all His gifts and works, both as an expression of our dependence upon Him and gratitude to Him. In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (I Thess. 5:18)

Do you only call upon the name of the Lord when you are in trouble or do you take time to offer up a thank offering to Him every day? I have traveled all over the world, and I have visited many Muslim countries. Without hesitation 5 x each day they stop what they are doing and pray at the sound of the caller from the minaret. They do it because they believe they must do it in order to achieve heaven.

They are more committed to what is wrong with a false teaching and a false God than most Christians are to the one True God and His teachings. We have an assured salvation. Through the blood of Jesus Christ we receive salvation and our sins are forgiven. We have so..much to be thankful for.

Do you count your blessings? Why not make a point beginning now leading up to Thanksgiving, then continuing til Christmas and then as a new year's resolution to offer up a “thank offering” for your many blessings each and every day. Instead of focusing on what you don't have or what hasn't gone right, how about offering up a praise for what God has blessed you with. Most importantly He has blessed you through the sacrifice of His son, Jesus, to take your place and mine for the punishment of death due to the fall of Adam and Eve.

Most people can quote Psalm 100 and it says:
"Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into His Gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations."



Instead of just quoting this, how about doing it? The children of Israel came through the gates of the tabernacle offering up thanksgiving. They then entered into the outer courts offering up praise. We are told to be thankful unto God and to bless His name. This Thanksgiving give God a special Thank offering and bless His Name. Take God's Word and speak it back to Him with Thankfulness:
God, I give you thanks for sending Jesus to die in my place and putting me in right standing with you. Thank you that Jesus took my sicknesses and bore my diseases according to Matthew 8:17 and Isaiah 53 and by His stripes I am healed.
I thank you God that you supply all my needs according to your riches in Glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)



Begin to declare His promises for you with thanksgiving and release God to move in your life.
Begin to live with and attitude of thankfulness!