The Big Table - Thanksgiving Video

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" 1 John 3:1 (NIV)



This video shows how good ol' fashioned tradition is lost.  Deeper than that, we forgot how exciting it is to sit at the big table with the "boss".  When we position ourselves to sit at the table with God, there is a feast waiting for us- the good stuff.  God doesn't hold back, He always shares His best with us. 

Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate with God all the earthly things He has given us along with the spiritual treasures He has blessed upon us. Stop worrying about the small stuff. Stop whining about what you don't have. And realize the amazing truth that you are God's child and He wants to lavish you with His great love.

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!

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Thanksgiving Makes You Happy

"I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving."

Psalm 69:30 (NIV)

Giving thanks to God for who He is and for what He has provided for your life - will make you happy!

In this day of bigger houses - nicer cars - faster computers - fancier clothes we have positioned ourselves at second-rate.  It is difficult to "keep up with the Jones's".  Life... marketing... our acquaintances have told us that our lives are not complete unless we fill our lives with stuff- expensive, useless stuff!

We are programmed to think that if we don't have enough money - if we don't have the latest HD TV - the big SUV, then we aren't "in" with the socioeconomic society.  No wonder we get depressed, stressed and ultimately discouraged.  We've become slaves to ourselves.

Change the posture of your heart.  Stop focusing on what you don't have and be thankful for the priceless things you do have.  The intangible is more important than your fleeting possessions.  Life, Love, Friendships, Faith, Family, God, and Health.

If you were to make a list of all the intangible things you have, I guarantee they will out-weigh all your tangible stuff you possess.

"As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."  Ephesians 2:1-10 (NIV)

Stop "gratifying the cravings" of your desires- wants- and selfish thoughts.  Realize our gifts, our possessions are out of this world!  God is wanting to give you gifts:  Gifts of Great Love, Rich in Mercy, Incomparable riches of His Grace, and Kindness.  He is giving you an invitation to the best "Thanksgiving Party" ever!  Seating you with Him in heaven. 

RSVP by putting your faith in Jesus. 

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Thanksgiving and Giving Thanks

Big, juicy turkey. Mashed potatoes with lots of butter. Green bean casserole; crispy and runny. Hot sweet potatoes and the cranberry that plops out exactly like the shape of the can that it was stored in. Oh, and don't forget the hot apple pie and tender pumpkin pie. What a feast!

I am thankful for this great tradition and scrumptious food, but there is more to Thanksgiving than tradition and great food. . . much more!

Did you know the word "thanksgiving" is written 29 times in the scriptures? (According to the KJV version.)

The words "give thanks" is written 48 times in the scriptures? (According to the KJV version.)

I was always told if God repeats His words 2 or more times, then He is really trying to tell me something important. Having "thanksgiving" and "give thanks" saturate the scriptures, God is telling us something very important and we need to listen.

A.) We first need to exalt God; giving Him thanks for who He is and how He cares for our needs.
"You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." Psalm 118:28-29 (NIV)

It's easy to complain. It's easy to whine about the things we don't have. I guarantee if you sat down and made a list of all the things you can be thankful about, you could easily list 50 things to be thankful about. (That's filling the front and back of a notebook paper).

List the small things that you look passed because you are too busy or too selfish. Things you take for granted, like: a working car, a warm home, indoor plumbing, furniture to sit on, love, health, a job, your spouse, your kids-- God's creation: flowers, trees, your dog or cat, the cool breeze, snow, sunshine and puffy clouds. Whatever it may be, you have so much to be thankful for.

You are forgiven. You are saved by grace. God has put a joy in your heart.

B.) We need to show thanksgiving towards our fellow Christian brothers and sisters. Encouraging them. Upholding them in prayer. Realizing together we are one body in Christ Jesus.

Paul wrote this heart-felt letter to the leaders and deacons of the church in Philippi:
"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:3-6 (NIV)

Share the attitude of thanksgiving with those around you and you will become contagious. Let people be jealous about this wonderfully authentic joy you have in your life; drawing people to the realization that Jesus has transformed your heart and mind.

As verse 6 says, Jesus has started a new work in your heart and life. He is going to use you in great ways for His purpose. He is growing you. He is making you more and more like Him each day. That's something to be excited and thankful about!


"Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.

Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world." Isaiah 12:4-5 (NIV)


May today be a wonderful day of celebration with family and friends. Give thanks to the Lord today and forever more.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

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