Newsletter: 2010-14 US National Day of Thanksgiving

Greetings from HomeWorship 101™

"In everything give thanks,
for this is the will of God ..."
- 1Thessalonians 5:18

Thanksgiving Day, is a traditional North American holiday to give thanks to our CREATOR for the blessings of the yearly harvest season. Giving thanks is very important to our CREATOR, and America’s founding leaders knew their Bibles well. They set aside the 4^th Thursday of November (this year it is today the 27^th), as a national Thanksgiving Day. The holiday dates back to pilgrims in early 1600’s. A national day, set-aside to give thanks to our CREATOR was so important to the early settlers, that George Washington made it a permanent holiday in 1789. Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States and on the second Monday of October in Canada.

George Washington’s 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation:

“Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness…”

Why do we give thanks to GOD, the reason is clearly stated, “May you have the power to understand, as all God's people should--how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love really is! May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it!" (Ephesians 3:18-19) Also because, "…God has reserved a priceless inheritance for His children. It is kept in heaven for you--pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay!" (1Peter 1:4)

"Adore God. Reverence and cherish your parents.

Love your neighbor as yourself, and your country more than yourself.

Be just. Be true. Murmur not at the ways of Providence.

So shall the life into which you have entered be the portal

to one of eternal and ineffable bliss."

- Thomas Jefferson, letter to Thomas Jefferson Smith, 1825

Wouldn’t it be refreshing to hear such bold and powerful words from today’s political leadership? There are many Scriptural commands to give thanks, and up until the time of President Abraham Lincoln our political headship had no problem in publicly doing so. When it comes to answering the GOD question, our early leadership boldly went where none have gone before. America’s founders were the only ones that built a nation that would glorify our CREATOR instead of some earthly king or leader. To commemorate those ideals, they proclaimed to the whole nation that on this day, stop your daily work, gather with friends and family, devote some time to home worship, table fellowship, and give thanks.

All glory goes to our CREATOR.
(Luke 2:14; John 10:25, 14:12-15)

We give thanks to our CREATOR. Scriptures clearly state all glory goes to our CREATOR (Luk.2:14; Jon.10:25, 14:12-15), and America’s path leads to GOD and HIS Word. Stop for a moment and say a prayer of thanks for all the blessings of our CREATOR YHWH, Ps.111, or 136. And in these times of great geo-economical/political stress, pray that our FATHER’S Blessings continue.

The Hebrew feasts, and the many Biblical verses directing thanksgiving to GOD inspired the American tradition of Thanksgiving. Do a Bible word search for “thanks,“ and you will discover many verses for giving thanks to GOD for all our blessings. Some spiritually powerful Psalms are dedicated solely to Thanksgiving (Ps.65 – personal, 66-corporate, 100, 116, 136, 138). The Prophet Nehemiah tells us how in verses 12:27, 46. In times of distress we should give thanks, and the Prophet Daniel showed us how, “And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days,” -6.10.

It’s not about a church meeting or service. It is interesting to note that “Thanksgiving Day” was designed to be a national ‘home Worship’ holiday. George Washington first proclaimed the holiday as a day to gather with friends and family, share the autumn harvest bounties, and to give thanks. Traditionally, the spiritual highlight of the Thanksgiving event was staged around table-fellowship. Today the day still is much the same as it was in his time. People travel a great deal to be together with family and spend a day with home with food, fun, and fellowship. In our multi-ethnic nation, food, music, and dance might vary, but typically, the main event would be when everyone joins around the dinner table, kindles the two main candles, and says a prayer of thanks.

Don’t just study the Bible, use it, experience it, when worshipping at home as the pilgrims did. The table is set, the candles are lit, and in a more intimate one on one setting with family and friends, read the powerful Psalms of thanks to our CREATOR.

Our Thanksgiving Day is about the only holiday that hasn’t been ruined by commercialism. But the secularists are still trying to remove our CREATOR from the holiday by wishing people a “happy turkey day, ” instead of a Happy Thanksgiving. Don’t let the misguided secularists, and the misinformed theologians derail you. Follow our founder’s footsteps and boldly proclaim that we give thanks to our CREATOR, YAHWEH. Scriptures clearly state, whether you know the Messiah or not, Christian or Jew, all glory goes to our CREATOR, and America’s path leads to YHWH and HIS Word.

The colonists endured much hardship and death when they settled this country, learning the land and growing food was not easy, but their faith never wavered (click for their story). Their hardships brought us the Bible and much spiritual knowledge, free for all to study. Today, we should not take for granted all the blessings we have. Say a heartfelt prayer of thanks for all the blessings of our CREATOR YHWH (Ps.100). And in these times of great geo-politic al stress, pray that our CREATOR’S Blessings continue.

“And whatever you do in word or deed,
do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
- Colossians 3:17

Enjoy the journey of learning…

Ø Be thankful, log on: http://www.homeworship101.com/wp_be_thankful.htm

Ø Name log on: http://www.homeworship101.com/bb-c1_top_god.htm

Please remember to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and for all those who stand with Israel (Ps.122).

Take care. Peace and blessings, Errol.
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Errol Mueller, chronicler extraordinaire
e-mail: errol@homeworship101.com
website: www.homeworship101.com
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WSC Newsletter 2010-14, posted 11/24/10.

Copyright © 2010 Errol Mueller. All rights reserved. Short quotations, page copying, or redistribution for personal or non-commercial group study is permitted and encouraged, provided they are copied in total with no alterations or deletions. Author’s name, website address, and copyright notice must be included. If any other use is desired, written permission is required.

For information, email or call (334) 678-0913. White Stone Communications (Rev.2:17), Dothan, AL.

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Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version of the Holy Bible.

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