While the DAY nationally set aside to focus on Thanksgiving has now come and gone, we can, and should, continually remember the instructions given to us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, saying: “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Gratitude Journal (Photo credit: limevelyn)
Likewise, we find that Psalm 136:1-3 tells us three times to GIVE THANKS. “O give thanks unto the Lord…O give thanks unto the God of gods…O give thanks to the Lord of lords for His mercy endureth forever.”
This past Sunday evening, five members from our Philadelphia Ministries congregation spoke for 5-7 minutes from the theme: In Everything Give THANKS. Each was given one letter from the word THANKS to focus their presentation around. A summarization of each person’s message is shown below. I hope it blesses you as it did us. ~ Blessings to You!
T – Thank You for being the TRUTH; thank you for being the one in whom I can TRUST; thank You for giving me a TONGUE so I can speak your word; thank you for renewing my mind so my THOUGHTS can line up with your word and your will. Thank you for having a THRONE of grace whereto I can run. Thank you for all the TREASURES of wisdom and knowledge we have in Christ. Thank you that the TRIAL of my faith works pure gold out of my life. Thank you for always causing us to TRIUMPH in Christ!
H – Thank You for giving us HOPE! Real HOPE is founded in knowing Christ is our truth. We can HOLD fast to our HOPE because YOU are faithful. Thank you for the HOLY GHOST that reminds us of Your will, and reminds us of your mercy and grace. Therein we have HOPE. HOPE is an extension of faith – “Faith is the substance of things HOPED for…”. Thank you for being our HOPE of glory, and for giving us a future and a HOPE. Our way of life should reflect HOPE and bring HOPE to others.
A – An ATTITUDE of gratitude. In all things and at all times we should have an ATTITUDE of gratitude because You are with us in every trial, causing us to be victorious. Satan will always be the loser! So in everything; in ALL things give thanks.
N – Thank for your NAME! At the NAME of Jesus every knee shall bow. Thank you because with You NOTHING is impossible. Thank you for making us NEW. Thank you for being available to hear my cry even in the NIGHT hours. Thank you every time you send someone to be NICE to me. Thank you for helping me recognize how much I NEED You. And thank you for supplying every one of my NEEDS.
K – Thank you because you KNEW me before I was even formed in my mother’s belly. Thank You for KEEPING my lips from complaining. Thank you for KEEPING my thoughts in the right place. Thank You for searching me and KNOWING my heart. Thank You for being KING of all the earth. Thank You for be KIND to all.
S – Thank you that I can be SATISFIED in You! Thank you for helping me bring SATISFACTION to You through a life full of Your love. Thank you for giving Your SON to SATISFY the cost of my SALVATION. Thank You for teaching me to SHOW You that I am thankful. Thank You for helping me be fully SATISFIED with Your will and Your plan for me. Jesus SATISFIES MY SOUL!