Thursday, November 14, 2013

A Season of Thanksgiving ( Part 2 )



Let's continue with Part.2

A Season of Thanksgiving
1 Thess 5:18 " Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

Part 2. QUESTIONS ABOUT THANKING GOD
Psalm 136


INTRO
* The repeated refrain " His love endures forever " in Psalm 136 teaches us that God's love is the foundation for all His actions on our behalf and the source of all our thanksgiving. This is a fundamental concept in developing a thankful heart.

* 3 questions to answer to gain a thankful heart:

1. WHY DO WE OWE GOD THANKS ?
a. He uses all things for our good ( Rom 8:28-29 )
b. He has a plan for good for our lives ( Jer 29:11 )
c. He supplies all our needs ( Phil 4:19 )
d. He gives us victory ( 2Cor 2:14, 1Cor 15:57 )

2. HOW SHOULD WE EXPRESS THANKS ?
a. By praise ( Psalm 107:1-43 )
b. By believing His promises ( Psalm 145:13, 2Cor 1:20 )
c. By fellowship with Him ( 1John 1:3-7 )
d. By proper worship ( John 4-23-24 )
e. By love ( Matt 22: 37-40 )

3. WHEN SHOULD WE GIVE THANKS ?
a. At all times ( 1Thess 5:18 )
b. For all things ( Eph 5:20 )

Ways The Holy Spirit can help thank God this week

1. Write down God's daily provisions this week.
( Thank You God for another award I receive today. To God be the glory!)
2. Express thankfulness to God differently each day this week.
3. Proclaim 1Thess 5:18 to start each day this week.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good and His love endures forever!



Wednesday, November 13, 2013

A Season of Thanksgiving ( Part 1 )

I’m not taking a credit for this. I’m rewriting what we’ve heard from our Pastor Dave Bittinger about Thanksgiving.

A season of Thanksgiving.
Thes 5:18 “ Give thanks in all circumstances, for this God’s will for your in Christ Jesus.”
pic credit : http://metropraise.blogspot.com

It seems like Thanksgiving is becoming less and less important in America. A day which once was a significant time to count the blessings of God in our lives, families and nation has become simply a day off to eat and watch television.

The Holy Spirit is calling the MAG congregation to make November 2013 “ A SEASON of THANKSGIVING!”

Part -1. BEING THANKFUL
Col 3:15-17

1. The PEACE of Christ in thankfulness ( v.15 )
a. Jesus promised His peace through the Holy Spirit ( John 14:27 )
b. Jesus promised His peace in a world of trouble ( John 16:33 )
c. Life in Jesus “ overflows in thankfulness “. ( Col 2:6-7 )


2. The WORD of Christ in thankfulness ( v.16)
a. The scripture will dwell richly in a thankful heart ( Psalm 119: 10-16 )
b. Songs of worship will flow from a thankful heart ( Eph.5-19-20 )

3. The WORKS for Christ must be done with thankfulness ( v.17 )
a. Is it being done for God’s glory? ( 1Chor 10:31 )
b. Can it be done in the name of the Lord? ( John 14:13 )
c. Can it be done with thankfulness ?
d. Is it a Christ- like action? ( 1 John 2:6 )
e. Will it weaken other Christians? ( 1 Chor 8:1 )
f. Will it hinder my witness for Christ? ( Mat 5:13-16 )

Ways The Holy Spirit can help me be more thankful
1. I will praise God’s name in song and glorify Him with thanksgiving
2. Thanking God for helping me through bereavement due to my beloved Mom in law passed away in Sep’13.
3. Provision and cara for me and my family these past years. Answers to prayes and deliverance from all my fears.

NOW, what's yours?