2016 Thanksgiving and politics

English: Elias Cornelius Boudinot (1835 – 1890) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In 2016 Thanksgiving day should not only be a day for saying thanks for everything we get, but should also be a day when we contemplate and seriously think about the way how we are showing are thankfulness to god to others in the world.

New Jersey Congressman, president of the Continental Congress, director of the U.S. Mint and American Bible Society's first president Elias Boudinot is one of the forgotten founding fathers of the New World. In part Americans should be thankful also to him for having that American national holiday Thanksgiving.

Rooted in a passion for God's Word Elias Boudinot declared before the U.S. House of Representatives that prayer and thanks were due to God for America's existence. According to the Annals of Congress, Boudinot stated that he

"could not think of letting the session pass over without offering an opportunity to all the citizens of the United States of joining with one voice in returning to Almighty God their sincere thanks for the many blessings he had poured down upon them."

Although many members of the House dismissed his proposal, Boudinot stuck by it. Almost two weeks later, President George Washington warmed to the idea.
On October 3, 1789, Washington distributed a Thanksgiving Proclamation to the Governors of the States, calling for the

 "institution of a national day of prayer and thanksgiving"

 and for

"Thursday, the 26th day of November…to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be."

In Scriptures thankfulness is prominent and rabbi Jeshua asked his followers to show their gratitude to the Most High Divine Creator. One way of showing such gratitude was by not being afraid to use the Almighty God His Divine Name (Jehovah) and by letting the world know how God wants them to come close to Him and recognise Him as their heavenly Father.

Jesus asked to

"live in union with him…build your lives on him…and be filled with thanksgiving" (Colossians 2:7). Thanksgiving should accompany "everything you do and say" (Colossians 3:17).

Though we may find it sometimes very difficult to live in this world, the Apostle Paul asked us to

"Be joyful always, pray at all times, be thankful in all circumstances" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

Yes, in all circumstances ... also in times when we do have it not easy, or when we do have much pain. Being troubled with certain illnesses can bring lots of pains to endure every day. Do know in the Word of God, the bible you may find strength and you shall be able to find the strength to conquer that pain.

Living in this world, not being of it, we also should feel thankfulness not just as one of multiple good qualities that believers should have, but a core impulse of human worship. In Romans 1, where Paul describes the depravity of the Gentiles, he first establishes the idea that God's nature can be seen in creation, and so humans have no excuse.

"They know God, but they do not give him the honor that belongs to him, nor do they thank him" (Romans 1:21).

Today lots of people do not give honour to the Divine Creator, and do not want to know about The God of gods.

Do you know Him? Do you give Him the full respect?

God has blessed us with all the things around us and with the life we do have. We should know He provided the Way to Him, by means of His only begotten beloved son, who was willing to offer himself for us. How much do we want to give to God? Are we willing to do His Will, like Jesus did His Will? Are we willing to recognize His grace and to respond with a thank-You?

Do we want to show our thankfulness to God in the way we live and in the way we go about with others? Are you as such aware that your sayings, your way of voting or choosing for some one, shows your attitude to life but also your attitude to the universe of the Divine Creator.

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Additional reading

1. Words of God to stand and to be followed and to believe
2. A Start for looking at the unseen and the treasure to look forward to
3. True God giving His Word for getting wisdom
4. Being thankful
5. As Christ’s slaves doing the Will of God in gratitude
6. Be vigilant with a view to prayers
7. Be sound in mind and be vigilant with a view to prayers
8. Praying and acts of meditation without ceasing
9. Give thanks to יהוה! For He is good, For His kindness is everlasting
10. Praise and give thanks to God the Most Highest
11. Let them thank the Lord for …
12. Give thanks to the One Who gave much
13. Give Thanks To God
14. Thanksgiving wisdom: Why gratitude is good for your health
15. By counting our blessings we not only feel good, but we multiply our good
16. Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #5 Prayer #1 Listening Sovereign Maker
17. Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #8 Prayer #6 Communication and manifestation
18. Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #10 Prayer #8 Condition
19. Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #15 Exposition before the Creator
20. Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #16 Benefits of praying
21. Self-development, self-control, meditation, beliefs and spirituality
22. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name
23. Bring praise to the Creator
24. Praise Jehovah, ​You people
25. A Meaningful Thanksgivukkah
26. Hanukkahgiving or Thanksgivvukah
27. A Meaningful Thanksgivukkah
28. Thanksgivukkah and Advent
29. Continuing Paul’s Prayer Requests
30. My God
31. The Proper Place of Excess
32. Stopped Breathing
33. Give your worries to God
34. Only the contrite self, sick of its pretensions, can find salvation
35. He who kneels before God can stand before anyone!
36. If your difficulties are longstanding, try kneeling
37. Life in gratitude opens glory of God
38. A Living Faith #6 Sacrifice
39. A gift of 86,400 seconds
40. Thanking God by thinking of people

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A gift of 86,400 seconds

"God gave you the gift of 86,400 seconds today.
Have you used one to say, 'thank you?'"
- William Arthur Ward

"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise:
be thankful unto him, and bless his name."
Psalm 100:4

Dear God,
I thank you for all the things around me,
and appreciate your works every minute of the day.

Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > Een geschenk van 86.400 seconden

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2016 linkupdate

Zeker zijnde van bevrijding

Reeds meer verkregen dan verdient

Wees niet bang er is een verlossere geboren

Op zoek naar kostbaarste geschenk

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Life in gratitude opens glory of God

“A life in gratitude opens God’s glory.”
- Bengt Sundberg

"It is always possible to be thankful for what is given,
rather than to complain about what is not given.
One or the other becomes a habit of life."
- Elizabeth Elliot

“Gratitude is not only the largest of virtues, but the parent of all other.”
 - Cicero

“Real gratitude means that we must thank God for what he has done for us,
and that we tell Him what we have done for Him.
- George R. Hendrick

"Offer to God thanksgiving,
And pay your vows to the Most High."
Psalm 50:14

God I thank You for al your works
and for supplying to be allowed to enter your kingdom.

Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > Leven in dankbaarheid opent glorie van God

Give your worries to God

“Any concern too small to be a prayer is too small to be a burden.”
- Corrie ten Boom

"Give your worries to God before you
sleep, 'cause He's going to be awake anyhow"
- Unknown

"God does not give his grace as he gives his sunlight
- proportional poured over all.
He brings distinction in spiritual blessings.
He gives strength to the extent that we need it.
His eye is always on us  in tender, caring love
and He provides us with what we need."
- J. R. Miller

“Jehovah is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
Jehovah is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?”
Psalm 27:1

“Jehovah is my strength and song,
And he is become my salvation:
This is my God, and I will praise him; My father’s God, and I will exalt him.”
Exodus 15:2

Jehovah have mercy on me and my neighbours.
Take worries away from us and guide us safely through this life.
I will sacrifice unto you with the voice of thanksgiving;
I will pay that which I have vowed.
By you Yahweh, Jehovah, my God is my salvation.

Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > Geef uw zorgen aan God

Thanking God by thinking of people

I thank my God every time I remember you.

Philippians 1:3, New International Version

---

    Certain people are blessings. It doesn't matter if we visit with them on the phone, get an encouraging email, or see them face-to-face. Any time we remember them, we thank God for them. So let's follow Paul's example and let them know they give us reasons to offer thanks to God.

    Loving LORD, thank you for ... (place the name of several people who bless your life in here). They have blessed my life in so many ways, so I'm asking you now to bless their lives with your grace, power, and Spirit. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Dutch version / Nedrlandse versie > Christelijke Overdenking: God dankend bij het denken aan mensen

If your difficulties are longstanding, try kneeling

"If your difficulties are longstanding, try kneeling."
- Unknown

If we would talk less and pray more about them,
things would be better than they are in the world:
at least, we should be better enabled to bear them.
- John Owen

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."
Philippians 4:6

God, let me be free from problems.
My hope is always on You.

Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > Als je problemen al langdurig zijn, probeer te knielen

English: John Owen (1616-1683) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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2013 update:

 

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A Living Faith #6 Sacrifice

A LIVING FAITH IN ACTION

Sacrifice

 Prev. >A Living Faith #5 Perseverance

When we contemplate the great love and mercy of Yahweh, our utter reliance upon Him and our own inability to overcome sin despite our best efforts, then faith will conclude that the only reasonable course of action is one of humble submission.  Effort and perseverance is required, yet still something is lacking if we are to develop a truly living faith. Now Paul writes:

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” Romans 12:1

Paul exhorts his readers to respond whole heartedly to the mercies of Yahweh by presenting themselves as living sacrifices. This becoming a living sacrifice involves a willing giving over of oneself, being set apart to His service, in order that we might be well pleasing to Him. Moreover Paul says that this attitude of heart and mind is a reasonable or logical outcome of appreciating the unmerited love and mercy that has been extended towards us.

Considering that whatever we possess, be it health, possessions, skills, abilities, knowledge, yes and even life itself, it has been given to us. We were born with nothing and will die leaving everything that we have behind. We have nothing whatsoever that we can call our own. What then can we offer to Yahweh who gave us all things in the first place? What can we offer to Yahweh in return for His goodness and love apart from the willing offering of ourselves back to Him?  A willing giving of ourselves involved obedience to His Word and His commandments as exemplified in the ‘Commandments of Christ’. It requires the sacrifice of self and obedient service even when it hurts!

The Law of Moses required sacrifice, but the offering of animals in themselves was insufficient. It was the attitude of the heart and mind of the person making the sacrifice that was all important. David wrote:

English: Yahweh sends fire from heaven to consume Elijah's sacrifice. (1 Kings 18) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, And will call upon the name of the LORD. I will pay my vows to the LORD Now in the presence of all His people, In the courts of the LORD’S house, In the midst of you, O Jerusalem. Praise the LORD!” Psalm 116:17-19

Praise the Lord indeed! But praise Him in deed as well as by word says David. Fulfil your vows, the covenant entered into at baptism, and render thanksgiving to Him for all that He has done for you. We praise and honour Him by conforming to His will and putting aside humanistic thought. Paul continues in that quote from Romans 12:

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”  Rom 12:1-2

This then is the outworking of a living faith put into action, the presenting of oneself as a living sacrifice by a life dedicated to Yahweh. Living sacrifice involves:

Ø A life dedicated to His honour, to knowing and obeying His will as revealed in His Word.

Ø A life that strives to no longer be conformed to human nature and selfish desires, but rather longs to be renewed and purified from all evil.

Ø A life that willingly separates from whatever may lead to sin and will not fellowship with whoever is astray.

When we think of the great hope set before the children of God, a hope that not one of them deserve and then consider that we have been invited to join that Divine family, then joyous praise should spring forth from our lips. Paul writes:

“Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” Heb 13:15-16

Not one of us is perfect, yet how often we judge others by their shortcomings in matters that deep down inside we know that we also fail at. Sadly we live in a world that asserts what it perceives as human rights and this attitude  of having ‘rights’ infiltrates the ecclesia’s of Christ. The body of him who died that we might have life. Willing self sacrifice has the opposite attitude for:

Ø  A living faith in humility enacts the royal law to love one another and show that we are truly the disciples of Christ (John 13:35).

Ø  A living faith in action strives to avoid giving offence or put stumbling blocks in the way of any brother or sister.

Ø  A living faith is not self orientated, but strives to carry another’s burdens, considering others better than themselves. (Phil 2:3)

Jesus speaks of this underpinning principle of self sacrifice saying:

"But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, "that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5:1:44-45

If our Creator and Father makes His sun to shine and rain to fall upon both the just and the unjust, then we are His children only if we show in some measure that same spirit of compassion. The more so of course to our fellow brethren and sisters for whom Christ died.  Therefore if our true desire is to be children of God, we must strive to do good, offering the willing sacrifice of a life dedicated to Him, desiring the attainment of godliness:

“For "He who would love life and see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil." 1Peter 3:10-12

A living faith tries to put His Word into action day by day, no matter what the cost. A living faith put into action seeks and desires peace above all. Not a peaceful life, not peace of mind, nor peace with others, but the greatest treasure that transcends all we could ever desire, peace with Yahweh. To be reconciled to Him is the true and only goal of a living faith.

To be continued…… A Living faith #7 Prayer

Andy Peel

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In this series:

A Living Faith #1 Substance of things hoped for
A living faith #2 State of your faith
A Living Faith #3 Faith put into action
A Living Faith #4 Effort
A Living Faith #5 Perseverance
A Living Faith #6 Sacrifice
A Living faith #7 Prayer
A Living Faith #8 Change
A Living Faith #9 Our Manner of Life
A Living Faith #10: Our manner of Life #2
A Living Faith #11 My place in the body of Christ and my ecclesia
A Living Faith #12 The Love for Jesus

Of interest: > Faith Requires a Basis

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• Life's Healing Choices: Chapter 5 - The Transformation Choice
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Only the contrite self, sick of its pretensions, can find salvation

Dutch version / Nederlands > Enkel het rouwmoedig zelf, ziek van haar pretenties, vindt verlossing

"Only when all our pretensions to self-sufficiency have been shattered,
only when we have given up all our schemes of achieving security in some larger whole which is but the self writ large, only when we have finally realized that we cannot save ourselves even through our noblest aspirations and most exalted ideals, only when we come forward with not only empty hands but contrite heart and humble spirit, only then is there hope. Only the contrite self, sick of its pretensions, can find salvation."
- Will Herberg (Judaism and Modern Man, 1951)

"Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your
hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Philippians. 4:6-7 (RSV)

Lord God teach me to overcome my fears. I realize that the man I can not do anything that ever would destroy me, but my choices can destroy me. So I ask you for giving me guidance on the correct path to eternal life.
I have many questions and many applications and dare to ask it to grant me those in line with your wishes.
I humbly offer myself to you to receive me into your world of peace.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

He who kneels before God can stand before anyone!

Dutch version / Nederlands > Hij die knielt voor God kan voor iedereen staan!

"He who kneels before God
can stand before anyone!"
- Unknown

"A lot of kneeling will keep you
in good standing with God."
- Unknown

"Devote yourselves to prayer,
keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;"
Colossians 4:2

"God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
So we say with confidence,
"The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?""
Hebrews 13:5-6
"And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more
in knowledge and depth of insight,
so that you may be able to discern what is best
and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ,
filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ
- to the glory and praise of God."Philippians 1:9-11
God,  learn me to be humbly so that I learn to kneel down for you.
Give that I can find the right words to you to speak to you dignified.And let not my prayers remain unanswered,
but fulfil me with your deepest wishes and desires.
Give me wisdom and spiritual understanding so that I fully understand your wishes.
And let me abundantly increase in love for each other and for all,
as my love goes out to you.

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Jesus in Pray (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

2013 update;

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