Practice Thanksgiving

PRACTICE! PRACTICE! PRACTICE PRAISE! PRACTICE THANKSGIVING!

Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com

I. PRACTICE! PRACTICE!

A. Have you ever heard of CHET ATKINS?

PRACTICE! PRACTICE!

He practiced playing the guitar when everyone else was watching TV.

B. Have you ever heard of MICHAEL JORDAN?

PRACTICE! PRACTICE!

He had a basketball in his hand and was shooting hoops while the crowd was sitting on the sideline yelling?

C. Have you ever heard of WOODY HAYES, the great coach of the Ohio Buckeyes?

PRACTICE! PRACTICE! He was studying the game and watching game tapes while others were sleeping?

D. Have you ever heard of Sammy MacDuff?

PRACTICE! PRACTICE!

Sammy MacDuff was sleeping and skipping school and causing his parents

trouble. Sammy never accomplished anything.

E. PRACTICE! PRACTICE! We must practice praise, thanksgiving, edification

and encouragement. PRACTICE! PRACTICE!

PRACTICE! PRACTICE! The more you practice the better you will be!

II. WHAT YOU PRACTICE YOU WILL GET BETTER AT DOING!

A. THERE ARE TWO BASIC ATTITUDES IN LIFE:

1.) GIVE

2.) TAKE

Ephes. 5:4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

B. Have you ever watched the JUDGE SHOWS on TV?

Often times you are introduced to a GIVER (loaner) then there is the

other side: the TAKER ( they gave it to me, I took it. The payment I made

does not mean it was a loan.) They gave it to me...

KJV

Philip. 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

LB

Philip. 4:6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything;

tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank him for his answers.

MSG

Philip. 4:6 Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.

C. DO YOU PRACTICE GIVING OR TAKING MORE?

III. THANKSGIVING IS GRATITUDE GIVEN AND DIRECTED TOWARDS GOD, TO

FAMILY AND TO FELLOW MAN.

1 Thes. 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

THANKSGIVING MUST BE A CENTRAL PART OF WORSHIP.

Psalm 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE HAVE A DIRECT CORRELATION TO THE THRONE ROOM

OF GOD.

AS WE APPROACH GOD WE SHOULD COME IN AN ATTITUDE OF PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING....

1 Chron. 16:8 Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.

1 Chron. 16:34 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalm 50:14 Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:

IV. YES, OFFER THANKS BEFORE YOU EAT. JESUS OFFERED THANKS BEFORE

BREAKING BREAD.

HOW WONDERFUL WOULD IT BE TO REMEMBER GOD AND GIVE THANKS WHEN

WE ARE FULL?

Deut. 8:10 When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the Lord thy God for the good land which he hath given thee.

Ephes. 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Col. 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

V. PRACTICE! PRACTICE! ALL ACTIONS AND OFFERINGS SHOULD COME TO GOD

NOT GRUDGINGLY... GIFTS TO GOD MUST COME IN LOVE. PRACTICE! PRACTICE!

2 Cor. 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

1 Peter 4:9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.

VI. PRACTICE! PRACTICE! PRACTICE! PRACTICE!

SINGING AND MUSIC BECOME AIDS TO REAL WORSHIP AND PRAISE.

Psalm 69:30 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.

[31] This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs.

Psalm 27:6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.

VII. PRACTICE! PRACTICE THANKSGIVING!

THANSGIVING IS A GREAT SACRIFICE AND OFFERING UNTO GOD...

THANKSGIVING PLEASES GOD!

THANKSGIVING MUST BE:

1. Personal

2. Family

3. Church

4. Society

5. World wide...

VIII. THANSGIVING IS A GREAT SACRIFICE AND OFFERING UNTO GOD...

THANKSGIVING PLEASES GOD!

Psalm 22:3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.

Psalm 107:22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.

Psalm 116:17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord.