Review From Parts 1 & 2
· Jesus said “the truth will make you free” (John 8:32)

· God’s Word contains principles to allow us to experience inner freedom

· “The Freedom of Forgiveness” (Part 1)

· “The Freedom of Humility” (Part 2)

· “The Freedom of Thanksgiving” (Part 3) (Tonight)

Introduction – Freedom & Victory Over Spiritual Enemies
· We Fight Against Spiritual Forces (Attacks) (Ephesians 6:12)

· Increased Spiritual Warfare (Book – The Return of the gods)

· Seasons of Battle (These seasons do not last forever)

· Peter (Luke 22:31-32)

· Elijah (1 Kings 18 & 19)

· David (1 Samuel 30:1-6)

· Pastor Tim’s Message - Spiritual Disciplines Last Sunday (Principles of Freedom – Spiritual Disciplines – How they fit)(Illustration – Big Basketball Game – Developing Shot in 1 Week?)

“Gratitude is a decision of the will, and if a decision of the will, the choice resides squarely with us. Deciding to be thankful is no easy task. It takes work.” ~Chuck Swindol

“When we were children we were grateful to those who filled our stockings at Christmas time. Why are we not grateful to God for filling our stockings with legs?” ~G.K. Chesterton

3. God is SOVEREIGN (Knowing this enables us to always give thanks)

“God is in control, and therefore in EVERYTHING I can give thanks - not because of the situation but because of the One who directs and rules over it.” ~Kay Arthur

“When we choose thankful prayer over wallowing in anxiety and worry, we are demonstrating an unwavering trust in God.” ~Priscilla Shirer

“A spirit of thankfulness is one of the most distinctive marks of a Christian whose heart is attuned to the Lord. Thank God in the midst of trials and every persecution.” ~Billy Graham

A. Thanksgiving Brings the Peace of God that Guards Our Hearts and Minds

“If there was ever a secret for unleashing God’s powerful peace in a situation, it’s developing a heart of true thanksgiving.”
~Lysa Terkeurst

B. Thanksgiving Breaks Depression & Discouragement

Giving thanks turns our inner focus to that which is encouraging and uplifting while a lack of giving thanks tends to turn our inner focus to that which is discouraging and destructive.

Consider the Difference (Encouragement)(Discouragement)

Thanks, Praise & Rejoicing! - (Breaks Depression)(Brings Hope)(Produces Joy)(Strengthens Security) (Blesses God)(Brings Physical Health)

“Gratitude is an offering precious in the sight of God, and it is one that the poorest of us can make and be not poorer but richer for having made it.” ~A.W. Tozer

“It is only with gratitude that life becomes rich!” ~Dietrich Bonhoeffer

In a 2005 article in the “Health Leader” (an online wellness magazine) researchers spoke of the emotion & physical benefits of being thankful and appreciative as well as the positive impacts that enable people to move forward in important areas of life.

In a 2009 article in Critical Care Nurse Journal a study was discussed that compared a group instructed to record weekly or daily everything they recognized as something they were grateful for to another group instructed to write down everything that annoyed them or irritated them. When the study was completed, the group recording things they were thankful for experienced higher levels of well-being than the group recording annoying and irritating things.

From the Amplified Version and the Complete Jewish Bible – “He makes me swift and sure-footed as a deer and makes me to walk, not stand still in terror, but to walk, and make spiritual progress upon my high places of trouble, suffering or responsibility”

Conc. (Summary – Freedom and Victory in SPIRITUAL BATTLES)
· Humble Yourself Before the Lord (James 4:6, 10)

· Forgive Others (Matthew 6:9-13) (Mark 11:24-26)

· Draw Near to God (James 4:8)

· Resist the Devil (James 4:7)(1 Peter 5:8-10)

· Rejoice in the Lord (Philippians 4:4)

· Don’t Worry (Philippians 4:6)

· Pray (Philippians 4:6-7)

· Give Thanks (Philippians 4:6-7)

· Think on Right Things (Philippians 4:8)