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“So the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror and with signs and wonders. He brought us to this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey; and now I bring the firstfruits of the soil that you, Lord, have given me.” (Deuteronomy 26:8-10)

Deuteronomy 26 gives us details of the thanksgiving offering – an offering Israelites brought to the Lord each year at harvest. It’s an amazing section of Scripture.

After the Israelites enter the Promised Land, at their first harvest, they present a tenth of the produce to God. As they do, they tell a story – the story of their origin, their salvation, and their devotion. With signs of thanksgiving in their hands, they say they are descended from a wandering Aramean – Abraham. They recount how they went to Egypt and were enslaved, only for God to deliver them from the Egyptians. And they present their offerings, produce from the land God has given them, their new home.

This weekend is Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for. Look around: fresh, uncontaminated water from taps; closets with clothing suitable for every season and weather; couches to rest and relax on; fridges and freezers with food to sustain us; heat to warm us; light to illuminate and direct us; homes that bring security, safety, and protection; services to help and heal us when we’re in trouble; vehicles to transport us; family and friends to share with; a congregation to grow with and learn from; and our Lord who fills us, saves us, guides us, and brings us into his eternal rest. We have so much to be thankful for.

Why not follow the example of the Israelites? Remember these three things: your origin, your salvation, and your devotion. Where did you come from – what is your background, the story of your life, your upbringing? How did the Lord save you – what is your journey to faith in Jesus? And what will your response be this Thanksgiving – what act of devotion will you do to celebrate God’s love?

Let's celebrate Thanksgiving in these three ways with family, friends, and even strangers.

視頻大意翻譯(video Chinese translation):

大家早。

“所以耶和華用大能的手和伸出的手臂，並大可畏的事、與神蹟、奇事、把我們領出埃及。將我們領進這地方、把這流奶與蜜之地賜給我們。賜給我土壤的初熟果子。” 這經文出自申命記26章，給了我們感恩祭的細節——以色列人每年在收穫時帶給耶和華的祭品。這是聖經中一個了不起的部分。

以色列人進入應許之地後，在他們第一次收割時，他們將十分之一的農產品獻給神。當他們這樣做時，他們講述了一個故事——他們的起源、他們的救贖和他們的奉獻的故事。他們手裡拿著感恩的標誌，說他們是流浪的亞蘭人亞伯拉罕的後裔。他們講述了他們如何在埃及被奴役，只是為了神將他們從埃及人手中拯救出來。現在他們獻上他們奉獻，從神賜給他們的土地，他們的新家所出產的。

這個週末是感恩節。我們有很多東西要感謝。環顧四周：來自水龍頭新鮮、未受污染的水。衣櫃裡適合每個季節和天氣的衣服。可以休息和放鬆的沙發。冰箱和冰櫃裡有食物來維持我們的需要。暖氣來溫暖我們。光來照亮和引導我們。帶來安全、安全和保護的房屋。當我們遇到麻煩時，有幫助和醫治我們的服務。車送我們的車輛。有家人和朋友可分享。一群可以一起成長和學習的會眾。我們的主充滿我們，拯救我們，引導我們，並帶領我們進入他永恆的安息。我們有很多東西要感謝。 

為什麼不效法以色列人的榜樣，這個感恩節記住這三件事：你的起源，你的救恩和你的奉獻。你從哪裡來——你的背景，你生命的故事，你的成長經歷是什麼？主是如何拯救你的——你信耶穌的旅程是什麼？這個感恩節，你會做出什麼回應——你會做出什麼奉獻來慶祝神的愛？

我鼓勵你在這個週末花時間與你的家人、朋友甚至陌生人以這三種方式慶祝感恩節。並得到祝福。

讓我們一起禱告。 

And be blessed.

Grace and peace

Pastor Callum