Shout for joy to the Lord. We come thoughtfully declaring aloud God’s goodness. There are so many different reasons to give thanks.
A man named Edward Winslow, one of the surviving members of th e Plymouth colong in 1621 wrote these words describing their survival during the first winter: "Our harvest of corn came in well, and God be praised, we had a good increase of Indian Corn, and our Barley crop was also good, but our crop of peas wasn’t worth the gathering – they were sown too late, and although they came up very well and blossomed, the sun parched them in the blossom. Once our harvest was brought in, our Governor sent four men out to hunt fowl, in order that we might have a special celebration, rejoicing together over the fruit of our labors. Those four hunters, in one day, killed enough fowl to feed our Company for almost a week. We were joined, in our celebration, by many Indians: the great Indian King Massasoyt, along with some ninety Indian men, joined us for three days of entertainment and feasting. The Indians themselves went out and killed five deer, which they brought to the Plantation and gave as gifts to our Governor, and to our Captain, and others. And although our harvests are not always so plentiful, as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want, that we often wish that you could be partakers of our plenty."
Look at those words again, “By the goodness of God, we are so far from want…” Those are profound words. By the goodness of God… so far from want. Is that your testimony today? How do you respond to God’s faithfulness? You sit down and you think about all the ways that God has blessed you. You put into words what God has done in your heart and then you shout it out – you declare it to others.
A large dog walks into a butcher shop carrying a purse in its mouth. He puts the purse down and sits in front of the meat case. "What is it, boy?" the butcher jokingly asks. "Want to buy some meat?" "Woof!" barks the dog. "Hmm," says the butcher. "What kind? Liver, bacon, steak . . ." "Woof!" interrupts the dog. "And how much steak? Half a pound, one pound . . ." "Woof!" The amazed butcher wraps up the meat and finds the money in the dog’s purse. As the dog leaves a man waiting in line is watching everything that happened. He decides to follow the dog. It goes down the street and enters an apartment house, climbs to the third floor and begins scratching at a door. With that, the door swings open and an angry man starts shouting at the dog. "Stop!" yells the man. "He’s the most intelligent animal I’ve ever seen!" "Intelligent?" says the dogs owner. "This is the third time this week he’s forgotten his key."
Have you ever met someone who just seemed impossible to please.
Have You ever felk like that man? You see or experience something amazing and it is met with a less than enthusiastic and unthankful response?
Lets do that right now. I invite you one at a say one thing you are thankful for today. This is NOT intended to be embarrassing, put on the spot, but acknowledge in your heart to the Living God, without any reservation to your savior, what you are truly thankful for, in one statement.
AMEN TO EACH RESPONSE
Friends, not only is thanksgiving important, its imperative to worship God. God instructs us to be thankful and celebrate life. No wonder in the bible, the use of thanks or being grateful to God is mentioned over 110 times. It shines with great emphasis that although we have many reasons to be angry, disgusted, hateful, just as Squanto could have been like, he chose, in his words, “that he might go to the Englishman's God in heaven.”
Thank about it, friends, just how fortunate and merciful a God we serve, who deserves so much thankfulness, that we should slumber ourselves to ignore such great things He continues to do for us!
Let us remember what thanksgiving is, not just in our families or friends, but with our relationship with our Heavenly Father, the author of thanksgiving and the owner of all life to which he bestowed it freely and willingly.
Having a grateful heart friends is absolutely vital to the Christian Walk.
Inclosing, let me read you this poem of worship and praise that I found!
For all that God in mercy sends -
For health and children, home and friends;
For comfort in the time of need,
For every kindly word and deed,
For happy talks and holy thoughts;
For guidance in our daily walk -
In everything give thanks!
For beauty in this world of ours,
For verdant grass and lovely flowers,
For song of birds, for horn of bees,
For the refreshing summer breeze,
For hill and plain, for streams and wood,
For the great ocean's mighty flood -
In everything give thanks!
For the sweet sleep which comes with night,
For the returning morning's light,
For the bright sun that shines on high,
For the stars glittering in the sky -
For these and everything we see,
O Lord our hearts we lift to thee;
In everything give thanks!
JOIN ME IN OUR PRAYER OF CONFESSION