Thanksgiving

"After enduring religious persecution in their native England and for twelve years in Holland, the pilgrims sailed for America. They were modest men and women with a great hope and inward zeal. They rested in the providence of God that He was leading them to a land of relgious freedom to advance the gospel of the kingdom of Christ. The voyage of the Mayflower took twice as long as Christopher Columbus' voyage, enduring several wintry storms. After arriving in their new land, they faced disease, famine, bitter cold and many dangers. However, when the Mayflower made its return voyage, none of the pilgrims returned with it. Their first harvest occurred in the autumn of 1621. Their own seed had barely grown, but the Indians had shown them how to plant corn which yielded a huge harvest. On the first Thanksgiving, they celebrated God's goodness to them with a party of ninety Indians. Their Thanksgiving feast lasted three days and included a festival of sports."

On this day, two hundred and forty-four years ago, Abraham Lincoln wrote this, establishing Thanksgiving day as a national holiday. I think it's amazing that it first was solely for the glory of God. It's interesting how nearly everyone in America celebrates Thanksgiving, and shares the tradition of asking the question of what we are thankful for. But if we are thankful for something, then we must be thankful to someone. We cannot receive something without there first being a giver. God is the Giver of all good gifts.
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17
With all my heart, I pray that it be for His glory yet again.



"Now therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, do hereby appoint and set apart the last Thursday in November next as a day which I desire to be observed by all my fellow-citizens, wherever they may be then, as a day of thanksgiving and praise to Almighty God, the beneficent Creator and Ruler of the Universe. And I do further recommend to my fellow-citizens aforesaid, that on that occasion they do reverently humble themselves in the dust, and from thence offer up penitent and fervent prayers and supplications to the great Disposer of events for a return of the inestimable blessings of peace, union, and harmony throughout the land which it has pleased Him to assign as a dwelling-place for ourselves and for our posterity throughout all generations.


In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed. Done at the city of Washington, this twentieth day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty four, and of the indepence of the United States the eighty-ninth."

This year, may we "reverently humble ourselves in the dust" before the throne of God, and offer Him praises and the worship He is worthy of.

"Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name;

Make known His deeds among the peoples.

Sing to Him, sing praises to Him;

Speak of all His wonders.

Glory in His holy name;

Let the heart of those who seek the Lord be glad.

Seek the Lord and His strength;

Seek His face continually.

Remember His wonderful deeds which He has done,

His marvels and the judgments from His mouth...

He is the Lord our God.

For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;

He is also to be feared above all gods.

For all the gods of the peoples are idols,

but the Lord made the heavens.

Splendor and majesty are before Him,

strength and joy are in His place...

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;

and let them say among the nations,

"The Lord reigns."

Let the sea roar, and all it contains;

Let the field exult, and all that is in it.

Then the trees of the forest will sing for joy before the Lord;

For He is coming to judge the earth.

O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;

for His lovingkindness is everlasting.

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,

from everlasting even to everlasting." ~ 1 Chronicles 16:8-12, 14, 25 - 27, 31 - 34, 36

I can testify to His transforming grace, and love that is beyond all comprehension. He has changed my life so completely, and continues to draw me near. It is such an incredible adventure. And it is real! There is no need to look for it in movies or books or anywhere else. This is real, and incredible, what He offers. In His presence is truly fullness of joy and in His right hand there are pleasure forever. Years ago, I tried all that I could to find pleasure in this world, the kind of pleasure that would satisfy. As hard as I looked, I did not find it. Nothing in this world satisfies us the way our Maker does. The moment I finally turned to Him, and fell on my face before Him, He filled my heart with such profound sweetness and healed all my hurts and wiped my sinful slate clean with His blood.

I just wish I could shout from the rooftops! I have tasted and I have seen what He can do! I have known the breathtaking beauty of His life in mine. He died so that He could give us life. And not just life as we know it, but abundant life. To set us free from the chains of this world, to live triumphantly through us. He has given everything, and is freely offering it to us. I cannot even fathom His love. It is so great. The only thing that is left for us to do, is accept what He is offering so generously, and lay our lives before Him, allowing Him to do great things in and through us, for His glory alone. He is what this life is about. We can try all we want to deny it, but in the end, every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him, and every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, the King of all Kings, the Maker of heaven and earth.

This Thanksgiving, may we all turn to the One who has given us life, let alone all the beautiful and abundant blessings He has delighted to give us. Let's thank Him. We could never repay Him for the sacrifice He made on our behalf, but let us at least give Him our lives in return.

He is worthy.

For the Kingdom and the glory of my King,

~Shalea

"I will praise the name of God with song

and magnify Him with thanksgiving." Psalm 69:30

"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power

and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing...

To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb,

be blessing and honor and glory and dominion

forever and ever."

Revelation 5:12, 13