Matthew 26:27. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them saying, Drink ye all of it.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING U.S OF A!
Oh Friends, it’s Thanksgiving Day in the U.S. Possibly the biggest day of celebration on their calendar, for unlike things like Christmas, everybody celebrates Thanksgiving. Not to rain on their parade though, I wonder how much true thanksgiving will really be offered today? I suspect not as much as usual, for many people will forego reading their Bibles, being too busy preparing for the big feasts and parties thereafter. And though it’s mete and right to celebrate, I believe we put too much emphasis on the celebrating, rather than on the giving of real thanks. Anyway, thanksgiving comes from a spirit of gratitude, and according to Dr. Schuller: ‘The attitude of gratitude gives you surviving power, which means you will not quit.’ Quite true my people! When you are grateful for whatever you have, be it a lot, a little, or in between, you keep believing that better will come, and therefore you keep on keeping on with hope and faith. Dr. Schuller also shares an enlightening story about one harvest when he was a boy on his father’s Iowa farm. It was a terrible harvest. Instead of reaping a hundred wagonloads of corn, his father reaped only a half full wagonload. Mama Mia! But here was his reaction. He said: ‘I thank you God, that I have lost nothing. For I have regained the seed I planted in the springtime.’ Hn! He had used a half wagon of seed for planting and had gotten back a half wagon. So he felt that he’d lost nothing, but the other farmers in the same disastrous situation, whined and complained, because ‘they counted their losses by what they hope they could have harvested.’ Dr. Schuller remembers his father saying: ‘You can never count up the might-have-beens or you will be defeated.’ And that’s gospel mih people! But we all still do it, though it’s best for us to concentrate on what we have left, rather than what we lost. This brings us to our Bit: ‘And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it.’ Yes Friends, a very simple, but most meaningful gesture on Jesus’ part. This First Communion happened during what we term The Last Supper. Jesus first took bread, blessed it, then gave it to the disciples saying: ‘Take, eat; this is my body.’ (Matt.26:26) Then He took the cup of wine and after giving thanks… Please note that though Jesus was God incarnate, He still showed respect and reverence for His heavenly Father by giving Him thanks for the wine they were to drink, acting as a token of His soon to be shed blood. ‘For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission (forgiveness) of sins.’ (Matt.26:28) Oh Friends, we desperately need to remember that the giving of thanks to Almighty God is a most important part of our Christian heritage and duty. There are also many passages of scripture that attempt to drive home this message to us, but too often they fall on deaf ears, and instead of being thankful for what we have, we bemoan the lack of what we don’t have. Let’s look at a few of these passages and see if they can make some headway in our lives this Thanksgiving Day. And what better words to start with, than those of Psalm 95; a psalm of praise and thanksgiving to our great God. ‘O come let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise (shout joyfully) to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms (songs). For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.’ (Ps.95:1-3) Bruh Paul was also a great example of one who gave thanks for all sorts of things. He wanted it to be a trait of the believer. ‘Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (Eph.5:20) Then, in talking about death’s sting being abolished, he declares: ‘But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (1 Cor.15:57) Meanwhile, in Acts, as a prisoner on his way to Rome, some brethren came to greet him along the way. ‘And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as the Appii Forum, and The Three Taverns (Inns): whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.’ (Acts 28:15) And then there’s this, one of his most famous pronouncements, re rejoicing in the Lord. ‘Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep (guard) your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.’ (Phil.3:6-7) Oh Friends, this life is all about giving thanks to our Creator, Provider, Protector and great God, for all the wonderful blessings He’s bestowed on us down through the ages and will continue to do in the future, once we abide by His will. Please, let’s make it a predominant factor in our lives, for in the long run it will certainly bring us great joy and many rewards. Much LOVE!…giving thanks to Almighty God…ought to come naturally…to a believer’s heart, soul, mouth and mind…
SCRIP-BITS 