1. THANKSGIVING OUTSIDE OF BIBLICAL BELIEFS
WHAT IS THANKSGIVING OUTSIDE OF BIBLICAL BELIEFS?
Outside of biblical beliefs, Thanksgiving is a holiday celebrated in the United States, Canada, and other countries that celebrates the harvest and other blessings of the past year.
ORIGIN OF THIS CELEBRATION OUTSIDE OF BIBLICAL BELIEFS:
Thanksgiving is a holiday that has its roots in the American philosophy of giving without expecting anything in return. Americans generally believe that their Thanksgiving is inspired by a 1621 harvest feast shared by the English colonists (Pilgrims) of Plymouth and the Wampanoag people.
THE MEANING OF THANKSGIVING OUTSIDE OF BIBLICAL BELIEF:
Traditionally, this holiday focuses on gratitude for creation, respect for the environment, and recognizing the human need for communion with nature and one another.
WHAT DATE?
In the United States, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. It is a day to gather with family and friends, reflect on the blessings of the year, and eat a large Thanksgiving dinner.
TRADITIONAL THANKSGIVING MENU OUTSIDE OF BIBLICAL BELIEF:
The traditional Thanksgiving menu includes turkey, stuffing, potatoes, cranberries, and pumpkin pie.
THANKSGIVING IN THE UK:
Thanksgiving is not a very common holiday in the UK, although Americans living there often invite their British friends and family to join in the celebrations. Thanksgiving may not be a long-standing tradition in British history, but more and more families are embracing this autumnal celebration.
IMPORTANT:
We understand that the United States was founded by Christians and they were surely influenced by biblical tradition to establish the celebration of Thanksgiving in their nation as a national holiday, even if the interpretation has a different meaning today, the basis of this belief remains the same as that of the Bible.
2. THANKSGIVING ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE
WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THANKSGIVING ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE? Etymologically, the Hebrew word translated as thanksgiving is towdah (to-daw’) and means confession, praise and offering.
In the Bible, thanksgiving is a way of expressing gratitude and praise to God, and acknowledging that God is the source of all that we have.
IMPORTANT:
Thus, thanksgiving according to the Bible is defined by its three important words which are: GRATITUDE, PRAISE and RECOGNITION.
When we give thanks in the truest sense of the biblical term, we offer our praises to God and acknowledge Him as the Giver of all that we possess.
HOW TO EXPRESS YOUR GRATITUDE TOWARDS GOD?
THANKSGIVING IS A FORM OF WORSHIP, PRAISE, GRATITUDE AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT THAT CAN BE EXPRESSED IN 6 WAYS:
1. Prayer: Verbally express in prayer your gratitude for the grace, breath of life, strength, hope and many other blessings that God has given in your life.
2. Worship and Praise: Praise God for His creation, His love and the death and resurrection of Jesus etc...
3. Obey His Word: Giving thanks to the Lord involves truly following Him as our Lord and Savior. Because the first act of thanks must be done towards oneself. Ask God for forgiveness and repentance for your disobedience to His word. because obeying the word of God is also a way of saying thank you to God.
4. Share your blessings with others: that is, help those in need.
5. Bring tithes, gifts, and offerings into His presence: One of the best ways to express your gratitude is to give Him gifts of thanks. This was the most common way to thank God in the Bible.
6. Thank the people God has used in your life to bless you:Because by thanking these people, you are also thanking God for giving them what is needed to help you. Bringing a gift to the person God has used to encourage you is a biblical and divine act.
ORIGIN OF THANKSGIVING:
The concept of Thanksgiving dates back to the Holy Bible, where it is a fundamental and traditional habit practiced regularly by God’s people. In both the Old and New Testaments, Thanksgiving in the Bible emphasizes gratitude and praise to God for His many blessings in the lives of His people.
In ancient Christian tradition, Thanksgiving is a time for Christians to ask God for forgiveness of our sins, repent of our disobedience, and express gratitude for all that He has given us during the past season.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THANKSGIVING:
The purpose is to thank, praise, and honor God through our words, actions, and material possessions. It is a way to show God our love, gratitude, and witness to His name in our lives and around us by telling them of the great things God has done in our lives. By doing this, we can promote the Lord’s mercy, compassion, and love in our lives.
WHY IS THANKSGIVING IMPORTANT?
For Christians, thanksgiving is a biblical and spiritual practice that has a deeper meaning because it deepens our faith life and enriches our relationship with God as well as our relationships with others. This is why it should not be practiced only once a year but every time God does good in our life.
THERE ARE 6 THINGS THE PRACTICE OF THANKSGIVING CAN DO IN YOUR LIFE: Thanksgiving is powerful. It is an act that involves more than just kind words toward God. When presented correctly with the right heart attitude, it can have a powerful impact on your life.
1. THANKSGIVING PUT GOD ON STAGE:
Psalm 22:3 says that God dwells in the praises of His people. When you enter God’s presence with thanksgiving, you invite the glory and presence of God to fill your life and situation.
2. THANKSGIVING PUT CHALLENGES INTO PERSPECTIVE:
As Psalm 8:1 reminds you, “The earth is full of your majestic name, O LORD our Lord; your glory is exalted above the heavens.” »
Thanksgiving reminds you of how powerful your God is.
He is the creator of all human beings and the universe. Nothing escapes His attention. If He is on your side, how could you lose the battle?
3. THANKSGIVING STRENGTHENS YOUR FAITH:
Romans 4:20 says that Abraham “became strong and mighty through faith, giving thanks and glory to God.” When you praise God and talk about His wonderful works, you remember all that God has done, and your faith in God increases.
4. THANKSGIVING IS A WEAPON AGAINST OUR ENEMIES:
Psalm 9 says, “I will praise you, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all your wondrous works. I will be glad and joyful in you; I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.” » “When my enemies turn back, they will fall and perish before you; for you have judged my cause; you have sat on the throne to judge righteously.”
When you praise God, your enemies must turn back.
(Also read 2 Chronicles 20 for an example.)
5. THANKSGIVING MULTIPLIES GOD’S FAVOR UPON US:
When you share your thanksgiving with God, it causes God to multiply His grace upon you and do more because He will see how grateful you are for His grace in your life. You will draw upon yourself more of God’s grace, love, compassion, and mercy upon your life and your family.
6. THANKSGIVING ACTIVATES PROTECTION, HEALING, DELIVERANCE AND MIRACLES IN OUR LIVES: Thanksgiving is very powerful and can activate divine protection, complete deliverance, healing and miracles in our lives. Where prayer and other actions have failed, thanksgiving can be the answer to our struggles and requests.
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