Controversy Aside We Have A Lot To Be Thankful For

Thanksgiving. What comes to mind?

For most of my life, Thanksgiving was a day to give thanks to God for the bounty that we have been given in this land and to enjoy a bounteous feast. It has been a time of family, friends, football, and fond memories.

I grew up with the image of the pilgrims and the Native Americans from the Wampanoag tribe enjoying a fall harvest celebration together. The images associated with Thanksgiving relate to my early years of education and pictures associated with that event such as The First Thanksgiving at Plymouth by Jennie Brownscombe.

My image of Thanksgiving was always positive, innocent, and uplifting. If you had asked me, “Is Thanksgiving controversial?” I would have been surprised that the question would have been asked.

However, I have learned that our national day of Thanksgiving is indeed controversial. I learned of many facts and number of controversies associated with the day by reading, Thanksgiving: The Holiday at the Heart of the American Experience by Melanie Kirkpatrick.

The controversies concerning Thanksgiving range from minor details to significant issues, at least in some people’s minds. Some examples of the controversies:

• The offering of Thanksgiving was probably not in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1621.
• The giving of thanks was a part of Native American harvest celebrations long before the Pilgrims.
• Additionally, cases can be made for pre-Plymouth thanksgivings, by Spanish, Huguenot, and other English immigrants from Europe.
• It is doubtful Thanksgiving took place on the fourth Thursday in November.
• It is possible turkey, which is Thanksgiving mainstay, was not a part of the Pilgrim thanksgiving.
• There are some Native Americans who reject the holiday viewing it as the beginning of the end for the indigenous peoples of North America.
• The Zinn Foundation provides schools with an essay on the history of Thanksgiving which informs students:
• The holiday is used by government leaders as a political tool.
• Governor William Bradford’s On Plymouth Plantation is a “fable” and an “early example of ‘Euro think.”
• As for Thanksgiving Day itself, students are informed the day celebrates “aggression and enslavement.”

I don’t site these controversies to put a damper on Thanksgiving, but to make a point about the way things work in our world. Man seems to be able to make a mess of even a day of thanksgiving.

However, we, as Christians, we seek to look beyond this world to our Creator. Looking to the Creator of heaven and earth is what a day of thanksgiving is all about.

If you observe Thanksgiving on this coming Thursday, tune out the controversies, the football, and other worldly distractions. Seek to focus on your thankfulness to God who has given you life, family, blessings, and, if you are feasting that day, all the food on the table.

The Bible is replete with the word “thanks” which is worthy of our exploration before Thanksgiving. Psalm 136 is especially meaningful in that it reminds us to give thanks to God.

Why?

Because God’s great mercy upon us and all mankind, endures forever.

Have a truly thankful Thanksgiving Day.

Gary Smith

Be Anxious For Nothing

We live in age where anxiety and stress are all too common. Webster’s dictionary defines anxiety as:

• A state of uneasiness and apprehension, as about future uncertainties.

Worry is a prime example of apprehensive behavior as we imagine the future in its worst-case terms.

Obviously, anxiety must have been a feature of Paul’s time since he addresses it in his letter to the Church of God in Philippi. In his letter he says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

“Be anxious for nothing!” In other words, don’t worry or fret at all. How is that even possible when we have to deal with the uncertainties and stresses of life?

How do we avoid anxiety? By avoiding thinking about them? By absorbing ourselves in other pursuits? Avoiding facing the challenges in our lives or worrying about them are unhealthy paths that don’t bring resolution to life’s troubles.

Additionally, we can address the distresses of life by working this out our own way. We only have to look at Abraham’s choice to work out having a child his own way. We are still dealing with that choice and its outcome in the 21st century.

Paul gives us a prescription for dealing with the anxieties of life in verse 6. He tells us, “. . . in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. . .”  In other words, we don’t avoid, gloss over or minimize our concerns and challenges. We think about them, then take them to God in prayer.

Who knows better than God our predicaments, lacks, and the challenges we are facing? God knows our condition and our needs.

No limits are placed on what we can bring before our God. Note we are told, “in everything” go to God in prayer. Whatever challenges we may be facing, we can take them to God.

Four words are used in verse 6 in regard to going to God:

• Prayer (proseuche) describes a believer's approach to God.
• Petition (deesei) emphasizes requesting an answer to a specific need.
• Thanksgiving (eucharistias) is an attitude of heart which should always accompany one's prayers.
• Requests (aitemata) speak of definite and specific things asked for.

As we take our matters to God in “prayer and supplication”, we trust that He hears us. We trust that He will act in the way and at the time that is best for us. By putting our trust in God, we can let go of the matters that are making us anxious.

What is the outcome of placing worries and concerns into God’s hands through the spiritual solution of prayer? The natural outcome of seeking God’s involvement is, “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).

As we look at the examples in the Bible, we see the followers of God, repeatedly going to God with those issues that confronted them. The Psalms are replete with examples of taking matters to God’s sanctuary. Asaph states, “I will remember the works of the Lord; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old. I will also meditate on all Your work, and talk of Your deeds. Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary; Who is so great a God as our God? You are the God who does wonders; You have declared Your strength among the peoples. You have with Your arm redeemed Your people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph” (Psalm 77:11-15).

The Apostle Paul said something similar to the Hebrew Christians, “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without
wavering, for He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:19-23).

Life can make us anxious, but the solution is to go to God in prayer. We can go into the very sanctuary of God in heaven with everything that confronts and know God will be there for us. Knowing that, we can be at peace in a way the world has difficulty understanding.

Have a pleasant Sabbath,

Gary Smith

Black Friday and the Merchants of the Earth

The day after Thanksgiving is known as Black Friday. It is one of the most intense shopping days of the year. It is quite a contrast to the purpose of Thanksgiving which is to express thanks and gratitude to God for all of His blessings. Most shoppers have little thought for God’s blessings as they rush into the Black Friday fray. After all Thanksgiving was yesterday.

Working part-time at Home Depot, Black Friday is a serious time for the store. For weeks prior to that date, freight of all kinds is coming into the store. Once the freight is unpacked the aisles are filled with sale items and covered with black visqueen to hide the items until Black Friday arrives.

Additionally, very few employees are given time off on this Friday. Management wants all hands on deck for the sale.

As one stops to analyze Black Friday one can only stand amazed at the amount of commerce that takes place on that day. Not only is Home Depot swarming with customers but the company has more than 2,200 convenient locations throughout the United States (including the territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands), Canada, China and Mexico. In considering the amount of business conducted in one day one has to additionally note that J.C. Penney, Macy’s, Kohl’s, and myriads of other stores are running sales also. Not only are the brick and mortar stores busy, but so is e-commerce that accounts for additional sales.

All of this effort by stores, employees and customers is all geared toward maximizing sales for the Christmas season. We might ask, “What does this have to do with the birth of Christ?” The simple answer is that Black Friday has nothing to do with the Friday after Thanksgiving.

Black Friday is about commerce pure and simple. Should we be surprised? Consider what we are told about commerce in the book of Revelation. "The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning, standing at a distance for fear of her torment, saying, 'Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has come.' And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise anymore: merchandise of gold and silver, precious stones and pearls, fine linen and purple, silk and scarlet, every kind of citron wood, every kind of object of ivory, every kind of object of most precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble; and cinnamon and incense, fragrant oil and frankincense, wine and oil, fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and bodies and souls of men. The fruit that your soul longed for has gone from you, and all the things which are rich and splendid have gone from you, and you shall find them no more at all. The merchants of these things, who became rich by her, will stand at a distance for fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, and saying, 'Alas, alas, that great city that was clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls! For in one hour such great riches came to nothing.' Every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, 'What is like this great city?'” (Revelation 18:9-18)

Black Friday is part of a greater commercial system that is central to this present age. The system provides all of the goods that we love as human beings. This system is corrupt and God inspired the Apostle John to let us know that this system will one day cease to exist. There will no Black Friday sales events.

There will no longer be a system based upon get, greed and covetousness. Instead, the world will come to treasure the real treasures that can only be acquired from God. "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21). Put another way, God offers us things that are lasting and cannot be acquired in a store or on a website.

Have a most pleasant Sabbath.

Gary Smith

Trials - God's Good and Perfect Gifts

As this Sabbath arrives, Thanksgiving has come and gone, but hopefully the concept of thankfulness is still on our minds.

As I ended last week’s Sabbath Thought, I referenced James 1:17, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” When James says that God is the Giver of every good gift, what is included?

In considering the significance of this verse, we need to consider the context of what the Apostle James is saying. The context goes all the way back to verse 2 of chapter 1, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” It’s hard for us to believe that trials and tests, whatever they may be, are to accepted with joy.

Why should we count trials and tests with joy? He tells us in James 1:3-4, “Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” Trials and tests challenge our faith. Do we believe in God and His word? Will we follow it when we are under pressure? Will we follow it when it is hard? Do we believe in God and His word enough that we will do what is right regardless of the temptation to sin or compromise in some way?

As those called out of this world, we have been given a vantage point that allows us to be ever aware of God and His plan being worked out here below. It is working every moment of every day. It is working when we rise up, throughout our work day, and in the evening when we return home. Throughout each day, we are challenged by other drivers, by sales clerks, by our bosses, by our spouses, by our children, and by our enemies. How will we deal with them? Will we deal with them based upon our faith and God’s word? Or will we deviate from the faith and handle matters in our own way which usually leads to sin.

God is the one who established the world in this way. He set it up this way because if we did not face the trials of life that challenge us we would not grow. With the “various trials” God’s work in us would have no chance of “being perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

Interestingly, in this context, James also says, “Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren” (James 1:16). What he is telling God’s people is that when we face trial it may seem easier, better, wiser to compromise with the faith. To compromise with the truth of God, the faith, is a deception. The only outcome of doing things our own way is sin and death (Proverbs 14:12).

With these things about trials in mind, we might say that trials are among God’s good and perfect gifts to His people. They are a part of the human realm because God, as the Giver of the gifts, desires our enduring the trials in order that we can be made perfect and complete. As God’s work is completed in us, we will be given eternal life.

What trials do you face at this time? Do you count whatever trial or trials you are currently enduring as good and perfect gifts from God above? If that is not your vantage point, consider taking the time to look at your life from this perspective. Even trials are a gift from God for which we should give thanks.

Enjoy God’s gift of the Sabbath.

Gary Smith

Thanksgiving Gratitude

In light of Thanksgiving, I began a new book, “Thanks! How
Practicing Gratitude Can Make You Happier” by Robert A.
Emmons, PhD. The book provided a quote to begin this
week’s Sabbath Thought on page one.

The quote stood out because it offers us a sure fire get rich
scheme. When you read of a “sure fire” get rich scheme, you
are probably thinking what I’m about to say is not reliable.
But consider the quote before making judgment. After
reading the quote, you will probably see how it really is a
certain scheme to insure you will be rich.

“I cannot tell you anything that, in a few minutes, will tell you
how to be rich. But I can tell how to feel rich, which is far
better, let me tell you firsthand, than being rich, Be grateful . .
.It is the only totally reliable get-rich quick scheme.”
—Ben Stein, actor, comedian, economist

The author of the book has researched the subject of gratitude
and sees it as helpful to conceive of it in two stages. He says,
“First, gratitude is the acknowledgement of goodness in your
life. In gratitude we say yes to life. We affirm that all things
taken together, life is good and has elements that make life
worth living. . . . Second, gratitude is recognizing that the
source(s) of goodness lie at least partially outside the self.
The object of gratitude is other-directed; one can be grateful to
other people, to God, to animals, but never to oneself. . . .
Thanks are directed outward to the giver of gifts.”

Proper thanksgiving is important. Notice the emphasis the
apostle Paul places on thanksgiving:

In Ephesians 5:20, Paul admonishes us to give,"thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

In 1Thessalonians 5:18, the same apostle instructs us to give thanks "in everything... for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

In Colossians 2:7, Paul says we are to abound, and to overflow with thanksgiving. 

Paul practiced what he preached! Aside from the statements of

thanksgiving that he makes in the bodies of his letters, as in

Philippians 4:6, he opens no less than five letters by thanking

God. You will find that in Romans 1:8, 1 Corinthians 1:4,

Philippians 1:3, Colossians 1:3, and 1 Thessalonians 1:2.

In Colossians 3:17, Paul says that, "whatever you do in word

or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to

God the Father through Him." Here in this verse Paul

indicates the fundamental benefit of gratitude. Being grateful

to God for all that He has given to us impacts how we

approach every day.

We may be facing adversity, struggles, persecution,

heartbreak, pain, and yet we can approach life as the richest

people on the planet. We may be well off, financially set,

have a nice family and home, and our health is good. But we

realize that our riches are not in this world they are the riches

that come from God.

Our riches are based upon our being called out of this world,

God forgiving us of our sins, opening our minds to His truths

and our being prepared for the soon coming Kingdom of

Heaven through Jesus Christ working in our lives through the

Holy Spirit. God has extended His grace and mercy to us

through His Son. Nothing in the physical world can change

that.

This Sabbath before Thanksgiving take some time to recognize the

blessings God has sent your way and to acknowledge the

Giver of every good gift (James 1:17).

Have a pleasant Sabbath and make this Thanksgiving a day of

gratitude to God.

Gary Smith

Giving Thanks to God for Our Daily Bread

In reflecting on the meaning of Thanksgiving and our need for
thankfulness, I considered a portion of Christ’s example
prayer found in Matthew 6:11 “Give us this day our daily
bread.” The inclusion of this idea in our daily prayers tells us
several important things.

First of all who does the giving? It is God who gives us the
food we need for life each day. This verse tells us that we
cannot exalt ourselves by saying that we, apart from God,
produced the food or that we earned the money to buy the
food. Apart from God, there would be no daily bread. In
essence, we must acknowledge our dependence on God.

In that Matthew 6:11 speaks of “this day our daily bread”, our
expression of thankfulness and dependence on God is to be on
display on a daily basis. We are to ask God each day that He
would continue to extend His mercy and grace toward us in
order that we would have our daily needs met.

For most of us reading this, we know that God has provided
for us on an everyday basis. Food is so abundant in America
that it is possible to take it for granted and not acknowledge
God. God knew this is a common human tendency and gave
us admonition in regard to our acknowledging God for the
good things that He gives us, "So it shall be, when the Lord
your God brings you into the land of which He swore to your
fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give you large and
beautiful cities which you did not build, houses full of all good
things, which you did not fill, hewn-out wells which you did
not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant —
when you have eaten and are full — then beware, lest you
forget the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt,
from the house of bondage” (Deuteronomy 6:10-13). We must
never forget that God is the one who provides for us every
day.

Finally in thinking of our daily bread, we also realize that we
must look beyond the physical to the spiritual. God inspired
Moses to write about this issue in Deuteronomy 8:3, “So He
humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna
which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He
might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone;
but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of
the Lord.”

This verse was quoted by Jesus Christ in Matthew 4:4 when
He was desperately hungry and being challenged by Satan.
Christ teaches us that even though He was hungry, it did not
justify putting physical sustenance before God. The lesson is
that we are more than physical human beings who need food
every day in order to live. We also need the spiritual food, the
word of God, which our Father in heaven supplies for us each
day.

Consider each day as you offer up prayers to God, how God
has answered your prayers to provide both physical and
spiritual food.

May you have a bountiful Sabbath,

Gary Smith