WHY IS IT GOOD TO
GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD ?
I Thessalonians 5: 16-18
16Rejoice always; 17pray
without ceasing; 18in everything give thanks; for this is God's will
for you in Christ Jesus.
These verses tell us that Thanksgiving should be a continuous attitude of the heart rather than simply done one day a year.
Its not Thanks - GIVING but Thanks - LIVING
How is that possible?
What are the blessings from showing gratitude?
Psalm 46: 1-3, 10-11
1God is our refuge
and strength, A very present help in trouble. 2Therefore
we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip
into the heart of the sea; 3 Though
its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.
10"Cease
striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be
exalted in the earth." 11The LORD of hosts is with
us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.
1. Praise and Thanksgiving READJUST our Focus
2. Thanking God REMINDS us of our dependence on Him
3. Offering Praise RELEASES us form the grip of anxiety
1975 Survey What makes you Anxious?
2005 Same Survey Different people Same Results!
Top 4
Answers:
1. DEATH and DYING
2. MONEY
3. HEALTH
4. CHILDREN
and GRANDCHILDREN
4. Expressing Gratitude REKINDLES our Relationship with the Lord
5. Gratitude REINFORCES our Faith
6. Gratitude REPELS the enemy
How do we express gratitude to God Biblically?
* Walking uprightly before Him
* Time with Him in prayer
* Giving generously and cheerfully
* Controlling our Tongue
* Singing praises to His name
Martin Luther: The Devil hates praise music. Satan can smirk, but he cant laugh. He can sneer, but he cant sing.
Thanksgiving - by Gladys N. Larson
T - Thanks be unto God for
his unspeakable gift. II Corinthians 9:15.
This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Matthew
3:17
H - Heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and
everything that moveth therein.
Psalm 69:34. He is good; His mercy endureth
for ever. I Chronicles
A - All things were made by Him; and without Him was
not anything made that was made. John1:3.
N - Nothing shall be impossible. Luke 1:37. Nothing
shall by any means hurt you.
Luke 10:19
K - Knock, and it shall be
opened unto you. Matthew 7:7.
I Know whom I have believed, and am
persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him. II
Timothy 1:12.
S - Salvation belongeth
unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. Psalm 3:8.
Seek ye first the
G - Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. John 1:17
God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth
in Him should not perish, but have
everlasting life. John 3:16
I - In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. John 1:4.
In Him we live, and move, and have our being. Acts
V - Verily I say unto you, All
sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men. Mark
I - If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. Psalm 139:9, 10.
I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken...
Psalm 37:25.
N - Now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
I Corinthians 13:13.
Night shall be light about me. Psalm 139:11.
G - Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised. Psalm 48:1.
In everything Give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
I Thessalonians 5:18.