Archive for Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving, 2023

Posted in #PaulthePoke with tags , , , on November 23, 2023 by paulthepoke

Matthew 26:26-28 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins…”

The scene is the Last Supper.

Jesus was about to experience:

  1. betrayal by Judas
  2. denial by Peter
  3. illegal arrest
  4. apostles running scared
  5. Caiaphas Kangaroo Court
  6. spit in the face
  7. beating
  8. beard plucked out
  9. mockery
  10. suffered under Pilate
  11. crowd chose Barabbas
  12. stripped of clothing
  13. more mockery
  14. scourged
  15. crown of thorns
  16. beaten again
  17. stripped of clothing again
  18. crucifixion
  19. mockery again
  20. clothing wagered

And before all of this, He gave thanks…

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Thanksgiving 2022

Posted in #PaulthePoke with tags , , , , , on November 24, 2022 by paulthepoke

Isaiah 42:5 Thus says God the LORD, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it, Who gives breath to the people on it, and spirit to those who walk on it…

As we celebrate this day of Thanksgiving, let us remember Who gave us life, that we are living, aware, breathing, and awake by the grace of God.

Life is not of ourselves. We are not responsible for our existence. God created.

By His grace, we are all here on this Earth, His creation, He created. God is beyond patient with how we steward His creation. He is beyond patient with how we as humanity treat each other, His children.

Job 34:13-14 If He should set His heart on it, If He should gather to Himself His Spirit and His breath, all flesh would perish together, and man would return to dust.

We have life and we should be thankful for our lives.

Romans 14:6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks.

On this Thanksgiving, give thanks to the Lord. Because of Him, we have this opportunity called life.

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Happy Thanksgiving!!! 2021

Posted in #PaulthePoke with tags , , , , , , on November 24, 2021 by paulthepoke

Millions of Americans will be getting together for a holiday of Thanksgiving. There will be piles of turkey, dinner rolls, stuffing and dressing, casseroles, and gravy. Hot brown and plenty of it!!! Don’t forget the pies!!! This will be followed by a tryptophan induced nap… zzz zzz zzz… instead of watching the Bears and Lions oh my…

Let’s not kid ourselves. We have all heard the family holiday stories. The time we spent with cousin Eddie (little National Lampoon’s Vacation reference). Remember when so and so did that… Don’t forget the crazy aunt. Heaven forbid, the drama and exhaustion of “The Family Argument“!

https://www.texasmonthly.com/food/15-thanksgiving-takeout-options-texas/
Photo: Abby Arnold

Proverbs 17:1 Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife.

God’s word has an interesting observation in the verse above. For starters the Hebrew word for “better” is “towb“. The word can also be translated as good or beautiful. This is the same word God used in the beginning after each day of creation, “towb” or “good. “And God saw that it was good.”

…a dry morsel… Another translation could be “a parched and ruined fragment“.

…with strife. This is the Hebrew word “rib” (pronounced reeb). It is also translated as dispute or controversy. Every thing is a contest.

It is a beautiful thing to eat a dry, expired cracker in quiet security. Some personalities can ruin a great spread of a meal and a gathering.

Proverbs 15:17 Better is a portion of vegetables where there is love, than a fattened ox served with hatred.

~

Leviticus 7:12 If he offers it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the thanksgiving sacrifice unleavened loaves mixed with oil, unleavened wafers smeared with oil, and loaves of fine flour well mixed with oil.

This is the first time the word “thanksgiving” is used in the Bible. “Thanksgiving” is mentioned before “thanks”. Thanksgiving is the Hebrew word todah. The issue is an attitude of the heart. Be thankful for what you have and share it with others. Your grateful attitude may change another’s heart.

Ultimately, Thanksgiving is not about the food. The holiday is about relationships. Have your heart in a good place. Be thankful for your family and friends!

Psalm 133:1 Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!

Revelation 7:12 “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”

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Happy Thanksgiving!!! 2020 Style

Posted in #PaulthePoke with tags , , , , , , , , , on November 25, 2020 by paulthepoke

1 Thessalonians 5:18 Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

COVID 19 and the year 2020 are included in all circumstances. So Give Thanks!!!

Thanksgiving is a uniquely American holiday. This will be a Thanksgiving unlike any other.

For the record, I am a medical professional of 27 years. I have treated COVID-19 patients. I utilize CDC precautions every day providing care to fellow citizens.

Politicians and medical professionals are calling on citizens to use precautions during this holiday and every day.

Some politicians are even willing to arrest and fine citizens who disobey their edicts! They want the police to drive through neighborhoods and ticket families and groups of people who do not comply.

Eat outside, no more than 4 people, no singing, no more than 2 hours, social distance, wear a mask, and on and on and on…

However, the state of California is going to allow people to go to the bathroom during Thanksgiving with conditions.

“Gatherings that occur outdoors are significantly safer than indoor gatherings. All gatherings must be held outside. Attendees may go inside to use restrooms as long as the restrooms are frequently sanitized.” California Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH)

This is a permission slip to hold Thanksgiving with family and friends. It is called the U.S. Constitution.

Below is a link to the U.S. Constitution. Encourage children to read it. Lord knows they are not being taught this in their education.

https://www.heritage.org/constitution

I would also encourage everyone to read the Bill of Rights. Pay special attention to the First Amendment.

Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Click on the link below for the Bill of Rights

https://www.archives.gov/files/legislative/resources/education/bill-of-rights/images/handout-3.pdf

Photo by Anna Tukhfatullina Food Photographer/Stylist on Pexels.com

Respect the thoughts and opinions of others. This Thanksgiving is an opportunity for balance and common sense to prevail. It does not have to be one way or the other, polar extremes.

We are still a free country. And with freedom comes responsibility. Freedom does not mean we are free from the consequences of our choices.

Ephesians 5:20 …giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…

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Happy Thanksgiving 2019

Posted in #PaulthePoke with tags , , , on November 27, 2019 by paulthepoke

1 Timothy 4:3-4 …who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving…

In the New Testament, the Greek word is εὐχαριστία/eucharistia. Translated literally, it is the giving of thanks for God’s grace or good grace. The word means: thankfulness or gratitude. One is to be actively grateful. This word is used 15 times in the New Testament.

Thanksgiving is the perfect word for the verses out of 1 Timothy 4. Get the legalism and all the rules out of your life. Nobody is going to heaven by following a bunch of rules from the Mosaic Law.

Invite God’s grace. Be thankful for what God has provided and respond with a heart of gratitude.

God is the source of all we have. He is the creator of the heavens and the earth. He is the One who gave us our lives. And the Lord is the creator of our food.

In Acts 10, it was this same legalistic attitude that kept Peter from wanting to eat certain foods. Peter was being a lover of rules and laws. He was not going to eat “dirty” food. He was very self righteous. Peter was a member of the spiritually elite. He knew God was talking to him. Peter wanted to argue with the Almighty and justify himself.

Does it make sense to starve and follow the law? Don’t confuse the issue, God is not asking Peter to steal. He is asking Peter to take care of himself… “Kill and eat.”

Acts 10:10-15 And he (Peter) became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.”

Birds of the air are included. Enjoy the turkey and have a great Thanksgiving with loved ones.

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Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Posted in Paul Beverly with tags , , , , on November 22, 2018 by paulthepoke

We all have so much to be thankful for. I’m thankful for the many blessings God has giving me. Thankful for doors he closed. Thankful for hard lessons learned. Thankful for his love. And thankful for so so much more. Count your blessings!

Wishing everyone a great Thanksgiving! Enjoy your time and company with family and friends.

Cornucopia

1 Thessalonians 5:18 Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Psalm 107:1 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever.

Have a thankful Thursday my friends!!! ~Paul Beverly

 

 

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Our Daily Bread…Featuring Paul Beverly

Posted in Paul Beverly with tags , , , , , , , on December 17, 2017 by paulthepoke

prayerI’ve always believed in God, but for a long period in my life I hardly ever prayed. I may go to our Father in Heaven when I wanted something, but that was about it. Now I pray every day, sometimes several times a day. I go to God to give thanks. I go to Him to pray for others. I go to Him seeking continued happiness. I go to Him for pretty much everything. I believe He wants that kind of relationship with all of us. You don’t have to be eloquent with words to have a conversation with God. Talk to Him like you do with anyone. He wants to hear what’s in your heart. Give it all to Him & have faith that He is listening. He will give you exactly what you need.

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer & supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God.

Matthew 11:24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe you have received it, and it will be yours.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

Have a praying week my friends!!!

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Give Thanks to the Lord…

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , on November 22, 2017 by paulthepoke

cornicopia

Leviticus 7:12 If he offers it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the thanksgiving sacrifice unleavened loaves mixed with oil, unleavened wafers smeared with oil, and loaves of fine flour well mixed with oil.

This is the first time the word “thanksgiving” is used in the Bible. “Thanksgiving” is mentioned before “thanks”. Thanksgiving is the Hebrew word todah. The issue is an attitude of the heart.

Psalms 107:1 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

This is the Hebrew word yadah. It means to throw or cast. So throw it to the Lord. Laud and praise.

1 Timothy 4:3-4 who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving…

In the New Testament, the Greek word is εὐχαριστία/eucharistia. Translated literally, it is the giving of thanks for God’s grace or good grace. The word means: thankfulness or gratitude.

It is the perfect word for the verses out of 1 Timothy 4. Get the legalism and all the rules out of your life. Invite God’s grace. Be thankful for what God has provided and respond with a heart of gratitude.

The point is…God is the source. And that needs to be recognized.

Romans 14:6 He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God.

May this Thanksgiving find you, your family, and friends with many blessings.

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Rapture compressed

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Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Posted in Paul Beverly with tags , , , on November 21, 2017 by paulthepoke

thanksgiving

Be thankful everyday. Show your thankfulness to others with appreciation for them. Give thanks to God every day for what he provides for you. Count your blessings instead of your wants. A thankful heart is a happy heart.

Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts , to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

Colossians 4:2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

Philemon 1:4 I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers.

Have a thankful Thursday my friends!!!

Wishing everyone a great Thanksgiving holiday!!!

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