The True Meaning of Thanksgiving (Episode 35)

 ✅In this episode I explore the deeper meanings of Thanksgiving from a biblical perspective. I emphasize gratitude, generosity, community, and unity as core values that should shape our lives beyond just a holiday. Through scripture, I illustrate how Thanksgiving is not only a time for reflection but also an opportunity to live out these values in our daily interactions with others.

🔗 Josh Howerton: https://www.instagram.com/josh_howerton/?hl=en

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Chapters

• 0:16 Thanksgiving: A Biblical Perspective
• 2:15 The Heart of Gratitude
• 5:11 Generosity and Giving
• 5:43 Unity in Diversity
• 6:36 Thanksgiving as a Lifestyle

Transcript

What's going on ladies and gents? This is Carry Your Cross and I am your host Pedro Espinoza. hope everyone's having a great season so far and as we approach Thanksgiving I wanted to share my thoughts and perspectives on Thanksgiving a biblical standpoint.

Before we get into sure you subscribe to the channel and hit that like button as it really helps this channel grow. is often associated with warm meals, family gatherings, and taking a moment to appreciate our blessings. beneath the turkey, the pies, and the travel plans lies something profoundly

gratitude, generosity, unity, and community. aren't just cultural traditions. deeply rooted in the heart of

Let me share an inspiring and encouraging Josh Howerton with you of Thanksgiving. Here it goes.

cool stuff right? So let's start with gratitude. In American culture, Thanksgiving is the day we pause to reflect on we're thankful for. biblically, gratitude isn't an annual observance, it's a posture of the heart.

Psalm 107-1 says, give thanks to the Lord for he is good. love endures forever. isn't a suggestion tied to circumstances. an invitation to recognize God's continual goodness. in scripture is not reactive, it's foundational.

When we gather around the Thanksgiving table, we mirror an ancient practice found throughout the Bible. Stopping to God has done, like Israel paused during festivals to recall God's faithfulness, Thanksgiving can become a spiritual a moment to say, Lord, you have been good.

Thanksgiving also celebrates family and community, something woven into the very fabric of scripture.

From the earliest pages of Genesis, God places people in relationships. are created for connection. the New Testament, Paul describes the church as a members, one body together in love.

When we gather with loved ones at Thanksgiving, we reflect the biblical truth that we were never meant to walk alone.

Hebrews 10, 24-25 encourages us,

Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together.

So as we sit at the table, share stories, laugh and reconnect, we practice biblical community, supporting each other, forgiving each other, and celebrating God's goodness together.

One of the most beautiful aspects of Thanksgiving is the spirit of giving, volunteering, donating helping neighbors. acts capture the heart of biblical 9 11, Paul writes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every

occasion.

In scripture, generosity is a response to God's blessings. When we recognize God as our provider, becomes natural, an overflow of gratitude.

serving at a food pantry, inviting someone who is alone to your table, or supporting a family in need, becomes an opportunity to live out biblical love through action.

Reflection and remembering is a biblical encourages us to reflect, to look back over the year and ways we've been blessed. Scripture repeatedly calls God's people to remember. In Deuteronomy

for it is he gives you the ability to produce wealth.

Reflection keeps our hearts humble. It shifts our perspective from self-reliance God-reliance.

A simple biblical practice you can incorporate at your Thanksgiving table is this. Go around the room and have each person share one moment.

this year they saw God's faithfulness. It creates a rhythm of remembrance.

a sacred pause to remember what God has done.

Another value woven into Thanksgiving is unity, together across differences. And this echoes one of Jesus' deepest desires for his followers.

In John Jesus prays that his people

may be one. unity is not sameness, it's togetherness, in love.

A Thanksgiving table can be a symbol of unity. People with different backgrounds, personalities, and journeys sit together, share the same meal, and give thanks to the same God.

If there are tensions, unresolved conflicts, strained relationships, this season offers a chance to extend forgiveness just as Christ forgave us.

A united table is a powerful witness to God's grace.

So as I wrap things up, remember this. isn't just a holiday. It's a lifestyle shaped by scripture. community, generosity, reflection, and unity.

Let's allow this Thanksgiving to be more than just a day on a calendar. Let it be the of a renewed commitment to live out these biblical values daily.

1 Thessalonians 5 18 give thanks in all circumstances this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

So as you gather around the table this year.

May your heart overflow with gratitude.

May your home be filled with peace.

May your hands be ready to give.

and may your life reflect the goodness.

of the God who has blessed us beyond measure.

So everyone take heed to these words, this episode, to the importance of getting together and thanksgiving in our hearts. I want to go back to one scripture that I went over and that's Hebrews 10, 24 to 25.

As it states, let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, neglecting to meet together. And honestly, if break it all the way down, that is one of the core values teachings of Jesus. And that was to not neglect getting together with one another.

So as you sit at the dinner table of Thanksgiving and celebrate this amazing holiday,

Just remember that it's important to get together and love on one another and...

build up each other in good faith.

Thank you all for listening. Again, subscribe to the channel, hit that like button. until next time, be with you. And have a blessed and safe Thanksgiving.