Thanksgiving!

To: Pastors, Church Leaders, and other readers around the world!
From: John Ruotsala, “Your Foreign Mission Administrator”
Please note: You can find this article at www.themissionsite.com scroll down the home page and notice Administrators Blog on the left side. Click and you have it. Please let me know if it would be helpful to have this in your language, as I am able to translate it into several languages

God’s Peace! Since this article is quite long, I will not make further comments this week. This will help you all get to know us American Christians more. It is about our Thanksgiving beginnings and blessings! This article was republished recently by Pastor Orval Wirkkala.

A TWOFOLD HERITAGE (by ALCA Pastor Alvin Holmgren)
"The ravages of winter took a heavy toll on the newly-formed pilgrim colony in New England. The first winter was severe and they were ill-prepared for it. The long ocean voyage of more than two months had been taxing. Some of their number died enroute, and the lack of proper diet had weakened many others. It had been the middle of November 1620 when land was sighted at the tip of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. After exploring the coast along Massachusetts bay, the Pilgrims chose Plymouth as their site for their colony. By the time the Mayflower dropped anchor in the harbor at Plymouth, it was December. By the end of March their number of 102 had been reduced to only 51, and almost half of them were children. Only 20 men and 8 women had lived through that dreadful winter. In spite of the rigors of this first winter in the new land, not one of the remaining pilgrims chose to return to England when the Mayflower sailed again for England in early April. Before long, their leader Governor John Carver also died. The pilgrims elected William Bradford as governor. Although he was only 31 years old, Governor Bradford proved to be a good leader and was elected governor 30 times.Even though some of the natives were as inhospitable as the first winter, in time the pilgrims developed a friendship with them. When the harvest was over that year, for the first time since they came to America, the pilgrims had all the food they needed. They had ample wood cut for their fires, and their house were readied for winter.Governor Bradford declared it was time for "thanksgiving," A feast was prepared and the Indian friends were invited to join the pilgrims for this festive occasion. God was to be thanked for sparing their lives, for their freedom in this new land, for the abundance of the harvest, and for their Indian friends. As so began our day of national thanksgiving.We, today, can learn anew from the pilgrim forefathers. They knew that their very lives depended upon the blessing of the Almighty God, and they were not forgetful in acknowledging this. Our nation and its people have traveled far from this first "Thanksgiving Day" in 1621.But have we traveled in the right direction? Have we, as a people, been mindful of this early example?It is important that we as Christians walk the pathway of thankfulness. God is good and sends countless blessings upon the earth. Jesus explained the goodness of God by that our Father in heaven makes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust KJV Matthew 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.May we not be forgetful to return thanks to God, who is the source of our many blessings. We need to be grateful for this good land in which we live, and also to share in the responsibility to pray for kings and for all that are in authority. KJV 1 Timothy 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; KJV 1 Timothy 2:2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. Our national heritage is a great blessing, but it is second in importance in comparison with our Christian heritage. Harvest was the time of the pilgrims' thanksgiving. We join in thanking God for his promise that while the earth remains, seedtime and harvest will not cease. KJV Genesis 8:22 While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. (Genesis 8:22) But we also look to a greater harvest--the harvest of souls. This harvest is the primary purpose for living and should be the goal of our lives.KJV Matthew 9:37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;KJV Matthew 9:38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.Today we are still surrounded by a cloud of witnesses of which we read in the book of Hebrews, chapters 11 and 12: 29 By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as if on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned.30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.31 By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.32 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets-33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.35 Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life.36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two,1 they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated-38 of whom the world was not worthy- wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised,40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.ESV Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.They have passed this way before us. We are urged to remember them, for they have spoken to us, the Word of God, and we are encouraged to follow their faith, mindful of the end of their lives.KJV Hebrews 13:7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. Original: Remember those who have led you, who have taught you the Word of God, observe, reflect upon the results of their lives and imitate their example of faith.""Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today and forever. By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise unto God continually, that it, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name. (Hebrews 13:8, 15)Pastor Alvin C. Holmgren Reprinted from 1984

May God Truly Bless Your day and week!
In Christ, John Ruotsala
Your Foreign Mission Administrator (Please see below also)

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