Thanksgiving..."What A Privilege"
Some years ago, the cartoonist pictured Charlie Brown bringing out Snoopy’s dinner on Thanksgiving Day, but it was just his usual dog food in a bowl. So, Snoopy took one look at the dog food and said, “This isn’t fair. The rest of the world today is eating turkey with all the trimmings and all I get is dog food. Why? Because I’m a dog all I get is dog food?” He stood there and stared at his dog food for a moment and said, “I guess it could be worse. I could be a turkey.”
You know a lot of times in life we may have been dealt a bad hand…
If we look hard enough we can always find a Silverlining...
More importantly… We can know that God is always working on
our behalf to turn around things for his good. Amen??
Earlier this week as many of you probably saw on the news… The pastors wife right here in Indiana, who was brutally murdered. And we can't help but think how in the world could have something like this happened to such a child of God?
And then in the following days… If you were watching you saw her husband
come on TV and give praise and thanksgiving to God. As to what a wonderful
wife and witness his wife was and how much she loved JESUS.
And right there it was happening...what the accuser meant for evil
God was getting the glory and JESUS name was being lifted up.
TBS. If Jesus name is lifted up He will draw all men unto Him...
Only God knows how many souls will be brought into the kingdom
and be accredited to this pastors wife's testimony...
Sometimes it's hard to be thankful...
but it's what God's will tells us to do..for those of us who are in Christ Jesus
1st Thess. 5:16-18 NIV
16. Rejoice always, 17. pray continually, 18. give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Sometimes its difficult to do as it says in Luke 10:27 to love the Lord with all your heart, mind, body and strength.
Especially when there's a tragedy… Or a physical need or ailment that is
Plaguing your body and there seems to be no end to the dilemma.
But the word clearly says to;
16. Rejoice always, 17. pray continually, 18. give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
This is hard to do at times, especially when you are going through something trying or difficult.
You know what I’m talking about...one of those Why periods
you see why it seems hard...is because you know that you have faith and you've passed the test of faith before on many other occasions...but it's still happening...
And you question why, but it seems like there’s no answer,
Or at least not the answer your looking for, in the time frame you want it in.
The closer your relationship gets to God through Jesus His Son the less the accuser will attack you...but let me tell you He is always looking for that one opportunity to take you down..he is relentless
But TBS greater is He who is in me then he who is in the world....
notice today’s verse doesn’t say to give thanks “for” everything, it says give thanks “in” everything....
Cause face it, there’s a lot of stuff in life that happens
that you wouldn’t wish on anyone.
But just because it happens, doesn’t mean we have to like it...remember it's temporary
And that's good advice especially when it happens to us
That's one of those why scriptures....because God knew there would be WHY
moments like that and that's "why" He gave us that scripture
But we still need to trust God to see us through it and be thankful...
No matter how high the hurdle might be...or how far the jump
might seem to the other side, where victory resides...know
That He is able and wants that Victory for you as bad as you do....
In other words, no matter what’s going on, we can all find something
to be thankful for....even in tragedy, that young preacher found something to be thankful for and was still able to lift up the name of Jesus. Amen??
Don’t just focus on what’s wrong in your life; try focusing on whats right with your life for a change, try focusing on what God wants to do in your life.
Remember you're a child of God… You're on the road to glory…
This life is only temporary and you don't have any extra time to be
caught up taking the detours that this life throws down in your
path as stumbling blocks...
Remember your not privy to the perspective that God sees... just
because what your wanting to take place, may not look like its happening...
doesn’t mean Gods not working behind the scenes,
Moving mountain after mountain out of the pathway to your victory, clearing the way for your need to be met!
When you are thankful in spite of the circumstances you are facing...
it opens the door for God to move on your behalf
and there's no length He won't go for one of His own!
That’s why it says “this is God’s will for you.”
And even though it is hard to be in the Lords will all the time...
that’s where we need to strive to be.
Because the closer we are to His will in our life, the easier it is
to receive His strength and power....
Did you know it's OK to have an attitude… As long as it's a Godly Attitude...
It's an attitude that says..
God, no matter what may happen...
I’m not going to moved by it...
because i know You are working all things together for my benefit...
And with You..ALL THINGS are POSSIBLE!!!
So in spite of what’s happening...we know all those Godly Attitudes are right believing statements of Faith...
The way the Lord intended...however
We still have to choose to be grateful and when we do...
TBS God will reward us for the choice we make...Amen??
That’s part of the diligence Hebrews 11:6 NKJ talks about;
6. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
At times its hard to remember, because you may not see it happening in the natural
but you should realize in the supernatural, things are a hopping...
coming together just the way you want
Only Better than you could ever do even if you did it yourself...
Hebrews 11:1 NKJ
11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
MSG says it like this...
1-2 The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd..
Moses...
David..
Paul...
Peter...
The woman with the issue of Blood...
The paraplegic man lowered down through the hole in the roof...
It was their faith that distinguished them out…
As more than just a face in the crowd, that brought about
Their need being met....
if we can have enough faith to ask Him for a need, large or small, to be met...
Shouldn’t we have enough faith to thank Him and believe Him that He is actually going to do it as well!
During the creation part of our miracle, is when we should really be excited and pouring on the thanks to God...
At times we just pray and ask for a just enough portion...barely get by
to get the need covered...you know its like we think if we could only get back to normal
That would be enough..
Thing of it is...Gods Word says
we don't have to settle for normal
What we ought to be doing is saying...
Father I Thank You and not only Thank You, but I also Praise You..
for doing exceedingly more and going abundantly beyond
whatever I can ever think or imagine, to supply all my needs
and not only just supply... But to go beyond my need that I may have
your abundance of every good thing...shaken together and running over
in and on my life and on everyone I care about!!!
Not that He needs any incentive, because He can do anything He chooses to do!
But, its when we praise Him for what He’s about to do, as if He has already done it, He enjoys it all the more.
TBS He inhabit’s the praises of His people...
God listens to your Thanksgivings..to your praise and worship
So if someone ask you if you talk to God..tell them you do
And you not only talk to him, but he also listens when you do...Amen??
Matt. 18:19-20 NKJ
19. “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.
20. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
Well someone might say, I don’t have anyone to gather with, friend if you don’t have a prayer partner,
Jesus will be your prayer partner, He will be everything you need and more,
In fact, He would be the best prayer partner ever...
His faith has fed thousands...
His faith moves mountains...
He has Overcoming..Death Defying FAITH!!
His Faith Shook The Gates of Hell
Right Off There Hinges!!! Amen??
And when you combine your faith with His, Nothing is impossible...everything becomes possible! Praise God!
That’s why our text is so good to get down in your spirit,
16. Rejoice always, 17. pray continually, 18. give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
God gave us scriptures like this, because He knew, there would be times we would need them,
So we would focus on how big He is...
instead of how big our circumstance seem
Will there ever be times when you won’t feel like praising?
Yes there will be times like that and the accuser will make sure of it.
but that’s when you put on a sacrifice of praise and your thankful anyways...that's when you say no matter what happens I'm still gonna trust God...
that’s when your faith becomes distinguished like our ancestors in Hebrews
and shines through like a beacon and God is moved on your behalf!
You say… But those aren't my ancestors
Listen...If you claim to be a Christian...then I'm here to tell you
that those are your ancestors and you have an inheritance!....
Isn't it time that you laid hold of..and really realized what God
has truly blessed and given you at your disposal??
When you finally realize all that God has done for you and Given to you..
that’s when the impossible becomes possible, in spite of how things look!
that’s when He brings rivers out of no where...
to run through your desert of need and you’ll come out of each difficulty better, stronger and wiser than before...
And unmistakably aware...that He alone deserves all the
Praise, Honor and Glory for everything Good and every Blessing!!
Illus. By Jeff Strite
Fanny Crosby was the author of over 8000 songs including several that we still sing today. In fact she wrote so many that she had to write under different names just so she could get more of her songs into the hymnbooks.
At 6 weeks of age Fanny Crosby developed a minor eye inflammation and was taken to a local doctor for treatment. However, the doctor who treated her used the wrong medicine on her eyes and she became totally and permanently blind because of his carelessness.
Interviewed years later, Fanny Crosby said she harbored no bitterness against the physician. In fact, she once said, "If I could meet him now, I would say thank you, over and over again for making me blind." She felt that her blindness was a gift from God to help her write the hymns that flowed from her pen.
How could Fanny Crosby, blinded by a tragic failure of a careless doctor –still be filled with such joy and power in her songs? Because she kept her heart focused on God.
She looked up toward God rather than around at her disability and weaknesses.
As with Paul, she was convinced that she could do all things through Christ who gave her strength...
and she did and so can you...Amen??
Jerm. 17:7-8 MSG.
7-8. “But blessed is the man who trusts me, God,
the woman who sticks with God.
They’re like trees replanted in Eden,
putting down roots near the rivers—
Never a worry through the hottest of summers,
never dropping a leaf,
Serene and calm through droughts,
bearing fresh fruit every season.
1st Thess. 5:16. Rejoice always, 17. pray continually, 18. give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
When you are willing to do those things, that’s when you become like trees
Planted in Eden,
putting down roots not only near...but
out in the rivers called possible
With Never a worry through anything or any circumstance,
all part of a beautiful relationship that comes with the peace that passes all understanding...
That God freely makes available to all His children, who choose to participate.
Amen? amen
