Thanksgiving

Here is what another Prince of Preachers says about celebrating Thanksgiving:

“And this is what Thanksgiving should be for us – thanking God for His blessings, both past and in the present. As you gather with family or friends this Thanksgiving (or even if you are alone) pause to thank God for His blessings to you. Remember: He has given you everything you have. The Bible says, ‘Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father’ (James 1:17.)

Even if you are going through hard times, thank God for His presence with you. Most of all, thank Him for Jesus Christ, who gave His life so you could have the greatest gift of all – the gift of eternal life. Have you accepted that gift? If not, make this a day of true thanksgiving by opening your heart and life to Christ.” – Billy Graham

Leave it to Billy Graham, the master of evangelism, to direct our thoughts to the core of thanksgiving. We don’t need to ever forget the primary reason we are thankful.

For God so loved the people of the world

that He gave His Son Jesus Christ

to die for our messed up selves

so that whoever accepts, believes, and receives

his gracious pardon and forgiveness

will be restored to fellowship with the God of creation

forever.

This is Thanksgiving on the grand scale. It goes past families eating together. It even goes past the American Pilgrim historical initiation of the holiday. It goes back to God and what He did for you and me.

Jesus loves me.

Jesus forgives me.

I’m thankful.