Pod Prep: 11-17-17
Be Thankful You Are in America the Blessed Nation This Thanksgiving
WHAT IS THE NATION LOSING BY DIMINISHING THANKSGIVING?
America is now increasingly minimizing the Thanksgiving holiday. The two big commercial holidays dominate the public mind. They are Halloween, which is not just for children anymore and Xmas. Black Friday shopping is strongly encroaching on the Thanksgiving Holiday itself as well. Midnight was not enough, so stores moved the shopping binge times to 10 pm then 6 pm and further. What remains is a truncated meal, TV football and SHOPPING. Obviously God deserves more! What are we losing? An unthankful populous is an unhappy populous. Being thankful is necessary for a contented mature populous. A lot of our youth are restless and discontented in part because they have not been taught to appreciate America and their blessings.
Col 2:6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
(KJV)
God has clearly blessed America. But we are losing our appreciation for the blessings of living in America, land of the free and the very well fed.
REMEMBER THAT WE LIVE IN THE MOST PROSPEROUS NATION ON THE PLANET
We have the world's largest economy and, in general, we have bigger cars and homes and yards than other people in the world. Our food production problems have normally been those of excess bounty ( why the need for crop price controls). America is the breadbasket of the world. We have given by far, the most in charity and foreign aid to other nations. America is the most desired destination of refugees. America is still in spite of some recent declines militarily, the planet's sole superpower. Wall Street is the financial hub of the World. America had the economic and military power to save the world from the evil Communist Empire and win the cold war and free hundreds of millions.
The breathtaking rise to power and national greatness of the United States is unparalleled in all of world history! Starting from a small settlement of Pilgrims, the course of world history has been dramatically altered by the rise of the United States. American astronauts have walked and driven a vehicle about on the surface of the moon. In two World Wars, American had the overwhelming productivity to give victory to freedom loving people globally. This productive power is a gift from God; which we should appreciate.
WHY HAS AMERICA AND THE WEST BEEN SO BLESSED?
Strong biblical Christianity was the most prominent feature of the Pilgrims. Pilgrims also experienced a communal economy when they first arrived. It resulted in poverty as in all Communist countries. The problem of the 'free rider', convinced them that each family must be able to keep it's own production ( profits ). They switched to Capitalism and the colony became very profitable. Other Puritans seeking both freedom of religion and prosperity poured across the ocean to join in on the success. John Quincy Adams called the Mayflower compact the first American Constitution. The compact states that the Pilgrims came to the new world ' for the glory of God'. When the Pilgrims came ashore they fell upon their knees and blessed the God of Heaven. They were committed to the purity of the gospel and arrived on these shores thanking God. It is not surprising that they were so blessed. “ Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD” see Psalm 33:12. They thereby positioned themselves to be blessed by God. The greatest gift that can be given to our fellow citizens is to help them be thankful people God can bless.
Col 3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
The Founders positioned the nation to be so wonderfully successful and blessed by being thankful.
THE SIN OF INGRATITUDE IS DETRIMENTAL TO AMERICA
Why is neglecting or diminishing the Thanksgiving Holiday undermining us? Happy people are grateful people. Most of us take our material goods for granted. For instance they say you never know what you have until it is gone, toilet paper for instance. During the fall of Communism and now in Venezuela they have to guard this valuable paper. We have so much food that the diet industry is exploding. One big reason for the decline in societies and of mankind in general is a lack of thankfulness and appreciation for God's greatness and all He has given.
Ro 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are world wide decline clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: {so...: or, that they may be} 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. (KJV)
We are taught now not to appreciate the fabulous world we are blessed with and that it all happened by accident (evolution). What self-deception! Academia has taught a generation now, that America is evil by overly focusing on the problems in American history. America was born into a world of dog eat dog conquest of the strongest. All portions of the world had slavery and war and conquest at that time. The world had religious persecutions and conversions by force. However America was the first nation to grant religious freedom. It should not be surprising that Pilgrims were enormously blessed. They laid the foundation for the greatest nation on the planet. Even Napoleon commented, as he sold us the Louisiana purchase territory on the fact that everything America touched seemed blessed. We are losing that spirit of thankfulness. We are not appreciating the greatness of God and His creative genius. This is why we need a greater emphasis on the Thanksgiving Holiday instead of less.
Lu 17:15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. 17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? 18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
Christ is critical because none of God's people gave thanks, only a stranger was thankful. It is not good for us to become more calloused and take our blessings for granted. If rampant commercialism and greed focuses our hearts on materialism instead of God we may lose the blessings. Our hearts and minds need to more focused on God. Our idols must not be stuff.
Eze 14:4 Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols; 5 That I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me through their idols.
If people will worship,thank and love God with all their hearts, they will have greater successes and less crime and insane massacres.
WHY WAS DAVID A MAN AFTER GOD'S OWN HEART?
David profusely thanked and praised God all the time. God loved David so much that the Messiah came thru David's lineage. He wrote great music and poetry thanking God. While a teenager at night, protecting the sheep, he looked up into the heavens and was inspired to thank God. God choose him to replace King Saul and he became the greatest King in all Bible history.
Ps 8:3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; 4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? 5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. 6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:
As David grew and matured, he saw the awesomeness of God in proper perspective. God wants us to give something back to him for all His love and blessings. God gave His Son to buy us back from our debts to sin. God has saved our real, ultimate lives. We should give back to God by obeying and thanking him. We should thank God for the blessing of living in the most prosperous and free nation in the world. Giving thanks is part of being a happy fulfilled person.
Eph 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Don't let the unfortunate trends of pushing past Thanksgiving cheat us and our kids out of the joy of being thankful to God. It is good for us personally and will help us get closer to God. This will in turn generate more national blessings. Do not rush past this holiday to get to black Friday. Washington and Lincoln used Thanksgiving to strengthen the nation in times of crisis. This holiday is good for us. David could feel God's love and protection. He returned God's love thru praises of God.
Ps 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. {green...: Heb. pastures of tender grass} {still...: Heb. waters of quietness} 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Give more thanks and praises to God like David and this nation will receive more than we deserve, Happy Thanksgiving!
