Today is Thanksgiving Day in the United States. Thanksgiving in the United States is celebrated to commemorate the 1621 harvest meal of the colonial Pilgrims with the Wampanoag Native Americans who helped the Pilgrims survive a harsh winter by giving them food and teaching them how to grow corn and hunt. Although this 1621 Thanksgiving wasn’t the first to be celebrated in the United States, it is the most memorable “first” Thanksgiving feast.

The purpose of Thanksgiving is to give thanks to God for all that he has done. Traditionally, this would have been after the harvest. Today, people in the United States gather together to watch sports, eat, and enjoy the company of loved ones. Thanksgiving is one of the few holidays when people start to think about others. While Thanksgiving heralds in the shopping before Christmas with Black Friday, many a heart turns to desires to help their fellow humans.

Thanksgiving isn’t just celebrated in the United States; Canada also has a day of thanksgiving, as do many other countries around the world, like Australia, Rwanda, and the Netherlands, to name three.

This verse from Psalms embodies the spirit of Thanksgiving.

I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.

Psalms 9:1 (NIV)

Indeed, it’s only when our hearts our turned to the Lord, with ardent thanksgiving, that we can see how blessed we really are. However, as Christians, every day should be a day of thanksgiving.

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)

Indeed, when we practice, for it takes practice, giving thanks in all circumstances, our hearts will change and be filled with thanksgiving at all times. Giving thanks in all circumstances doesn’t mean we embrace and celebrate the terrible things that happen. No, Psalm 107 gives us insight into why we give thanks.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Psalm 107:1 (NIV)

So on this day of Thanksgiving in the United States, I leave you with this blessing.

“‘May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord cause His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.'”

Numbers 6:24-26 (BSB)

If you do not yet know the Lord, I beseech you to pray with me to receive the greatest blessing of all.

Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins. I repent from my ways. Wash me in your blood and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I believe that you died on the cross, were buried, and on the third day, God the Father raised you from the dead. Right now, Lord Jesus, I open the door to my heart and receive you into my heart as my Lord and personal Savior. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, then congratulations! You are on the first step of a brand new life. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to my family, the family of God. There are abundant resources available online for new Christians. You can visit here for more information on what to do next. You can also leave me a comment, and I’ll do my best to help you on the next step of this incredible journey.

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