Thankful or Unthankful?

1. Why do people not "thank God?"

* Failure to acknowledge God_ as God.

"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened." (Romans 1:20-21, NIV)

* Failure to appreciate God's goodness and grace .

"Every good and perfect gift is from above" (James 1:17)

> Thoughtlessness.

> Self -centeredness.

> Bad circumstances .

"Give thanks in all circumstances" (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

> Others?

2. Read Luke 17:11-19. What are the similarities and differences between the one man and the other nine? What good resulted from the one man's actions?

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." (Ps 107:1, NIV)

"Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!" (2 Corinthians 9:15, NIV)

Reflection

> Do you acknowledge God as God? Do you truly acknowledge God as the Source of all blessing, and the Giver of every good thing? If so, do you regularly express thanksgiving to God? Identify what hinders you from expressing thanksgiving to God.

> Genuine expressions of thanksgiving come from a thankful heart. A heart transformed by God's grace should be a thankful heart! A heart focused on God will be a thankful heart. Take time to reflect on the goodness and grace of God. Count your blessings. "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts … And be thankful." (Colossians 3:15)

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The Making of an American Holiday

In the year 1620, a group of people called "Pilgrims" set sail for America on a ship called the Mayflower. These people called themselves "Pilgrims" because they were Christians who believed that they were on a journey to a better place - that is, their real home, ultimately heaven. These Pilgrims wanted to go to a place where they could worship God freely, so they set sail for America. It was a difficult journey. About half-way across the Atlantic ocean, a violent storm damaged the ship and threw it off course. Three months after setting sail, they reached the shore at what is now called Cape Cod, Massachusetts (rather than Virginia, as they had planned). They decided that the storm was providential, and they settled in Cape Cod. The first five months were very difficult. Forty-seven of the settlers (almost half of them) died of disease or infection.

The Pilgrims became friends of the native Americans (Indians) in the area, and they helped one another. Indians were not normally friendly to foreigners, but these were. One of them, named Squanto, had been captured by slave-traders and taken to Spain in 1608. In Spain, monks secured Squanto's freedom, and introduced him to Christianity. About five years later, Squanto began his journey back home. However, he would spend five years in England before setting sail for America in 1618. Back in America, the Pilgrims were surprised to find this friendly, English-speaking Indian. Certainly, God used Squanto's international experience to be a blessing to the Pilgrims. Squanto showed them how to plant, fish, hunt, and make clothing.

Life continued to be difficult, but the Pilgrims remained thankful to God. In 1621, Governor William Bradford proclaimed a day of public thanksgiving to God to be held in October. The Indians were invited and 90 came, bringing deer, turkey, and different types of vegetables. The celebration went so well that it was extended three days. Thanksgiving celebrations continued in America.

In 1789, George Washington, the first president, declared a day of Thanksgiving, which some states adopted as a holiday. In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving as a national holiday.