Freedom Church
11-24-24 Nuts and Bolts - Being Thankful
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Freedom Church
422 US-90, Liberty, TX 77575, USA
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Sunday 11:00 AM
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https://www.freedomdl.com/phase1Sunday, November 24th
Message: Being Thankful
Series: Nuts and Bolts
Speaker: Jason John Cowart
Message: Being Thankful
Series: Nuts and Bolts
Speaker: Jason John Cowart
Nuts and Bolts
Leaning In, Enduring, Obedience, Rest, Building, Battle, Weakness Attacks and Strength. The point is to help you understand and embrace these ideas in such a way that makes a positive impact on your life and the lives of those around you.
James says not only to hear the word, but to be doers. It can be hard to do if you don’t have a full understanding of how. That’s why this series.
Today is the last message of this series, and with Thanksgiving just a few days away, i can’t think of a better ending to the series than talking about being thankful.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food,
For love and friends,
For everything thy goodness sends.
How good are you at gratitude?
Leaning In, Enduring, Obedience, Rest, Building, Battle, Weakness Attacks and Strength. The point is to help you understand and embrace these ideas in such a way that makes a positive impact on your life and the lives of those around you.
James says not only to hear the word, but to be doers. It can be hard to do if you don’t have a full understanding of how. That’s why this series.
Today is the last message of this series, and with Thanksgiving just a few days away, i can’t think of a better ending to the series than talking about being thankful.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food,
For love and friends,
For everything thy goodness sends.
How good are you at gratitude?
Paul gives a powerful encouragement to the church at Colossae and us in Colossians 3:5-17
He starts by telling us what we shouldn’t do.
5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self[d] with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
And then how we should live.
12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
If you were to identify the one thought in all of these encouragement Paul wanted you to embrace, perhaps you’d choose love or peace and harmony. But the one idea that he lists more than any other is being thankful.
The Bible mentions gratitude in some fashion about 157 times and the imperative, “Give thanks” is repeated 44 different times. Giving thanks is a huge part of our lives as a Christian.
Psalm 107:1
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!
Ephesians 5:20
Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
2 Corinthians 2:14
Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ
Psalm 100:4
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
One more:
Psalm 50:23
The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me
Not only is gratitude our confession to God and the way we enter into his presence, but being thankful is a sacrifice that glorifies God! Every thank you is a crown laid at Jesus feet.
We can talk gratitude and being thankful, but when it comes to the nuts and bolts, what does it mean to be thankful, and how can I express gratitude in my life?
He starts by telling us what we shouldn’t do.
5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self[d] with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
And then how we should live.
12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
If you were to identify the one thought in all of these encouragement Paul wanted you to embrace, perhaps you’d choose love or peace and harmony. But the one idea that he lists more than any other is being thankful.
The Bible mentions gratitude in some fashion about 157 times and the imperative, “Give thanks” is repeated 44 different times. Giving thanks is a huge part of our lives as a Christian.
Psalm 107:1
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!
Ephesians 5:20
Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
2 Corinthians 2:14
Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ
Psalm 100:4
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
One more:
Psalm 50:23
The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me
Not only is gratitude our confession to God and the way we enter into his presence, but being thankful is a sacrifice that glorifies God! Every thank you is a crown laid at Jesus feet.
We can talk gratitude and being thankful, but when it comes to the nuts and bolts, what does it mean to be thankful, and how can I express gratitude in my life?
Be Thankful as a Response
Whether it is with God or a person, gratitude should always be our response when someone does something for us.
I am sure you’ve heard Proverbs 15:1
A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.
If a soft answer can have such a profound effect on an emotion like anger, what can a thank you do in the hearts of people who do something for you?
What can it do to the heart of God?
Your thank you has the power to encourage, elevate, inspire. This takes their generosity towards you and turns it into encouragement for them!
Acts 20:35
…remember the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’
Parent know this especially around Christmas time! A generous act is best repaid with sincere thanks.
I want to take a moment and highlight the word “response.” There are few things more powerful than your response.
Epictetus
“It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it, that matters.”
Charles R. Swindoll
“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.”
Just a curiosity driven most likely by adhd, how are you at reacting well to life? This isn’t a message on reacting well. We’re talking about being thankful. However, our reactions are incredibly powerful and often times, dictate what happens next.
Luke 17:11-19
11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers,[a] who stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” 14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”
DON’T HEAR: If I don’t say thank you to Jesus he won’t do anything for me. DO HEAR: Gratitude carries with it blessing.
Now, does this story mean that the ungrateful 9 were not healed? The passage actually says they were all cleansed. But only one was made well. Made well here is from the word solo, “to save.” This is the same thing he said to the blind beggar, to the woman with a flow of blood. Could its be that while 10 were healed, only the one who was thankful and voiced that gratitude truly embraced Jesus?
What blessing will thankfulness as a response open to you?
Over the last several months, I have been pretty overloaded with the buildout. It’s really been nearly two years now if you think about when this entire process of getting this new facility started for us. Nearly two years of raising money and navigating real estate, commercial planning and construction, and the sort. I’ve had to learn on the fly a lot and that alone can be very strenuous, but overseeing and in most cases, actually doing, the work from dirt to a completed building has stressed me to the limit.
But during these last several months, Monique has really been more incredible than she normally is. She’s gone over an above. She realizes I am under a lot of pressure, so I am not getting bombarded by her on my schedule and how much I have to be at the facility. She’s over-considerate on my time and has made life so much better.
So I told her so.
“You’ve been so gracious these last several months. You’ve helped me more than you could ever know. With the stress of leading a church and building out this massive project, you’ve created a safe place for me to not have to stress and worry. Thank you so much. It’s made the difference.”
Her acts of kindness were enough. What Jesus has done for us, is enough.
But in a moment of vocalized gratitude, there’s another blessing that you both receive.
Gratitude is the natural response to being treated better than you deserve.
So what are the nuts and bolts of being thankful as a response?
Be quick to respond with gratitude when someone acts towards you in kindness.
Whether it is with God or a person, gratitude should always be our response when someone does something for us.
I am sure you’ve heard Proverbs 15:1
A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.
If a soft answer can have such a profound effect on an emotion like anger, what can a thank you do in the hearts of people who do something for you?
What can it do to the heart of God?
Your thank you has the power to encourage, elevate, inspire. This takes their generosity towards you and turns it into encouragement for them!
Acts 20:35
…remember the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’
Parent know this especially around Christmas time! A generous act is best repaid with sincere thanks.
I want to take a moment and highlight the word “response.” There are few things more powerful than your response.
Epictetus
“It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it, that matters.”
Charles R. Swindoll
“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.”
Just a curiosity driven most likely by adhd, how are you at reacting well to life? This isn’t a message on reacting well. We’re talking about being thankful. However, our reactions are incredibly powerful and often times, dictate what happens next.
Luke 17:11-19
11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers,[a] who stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” 14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”
DON’T HEAR: If I don’t say thank you to Jesus he won’t do anything for me. DO HEAR: Gratitude carries with it blessing.
Now, does this story mean that the ungrateful 9 were not healed? The passage actually says they were all cleansed. But only one was made well. Made well here is from the word solo, “to save.” This is the same thing he said to the blind beggar, to the woman with a flow of blood. Could its be that while 10 were healed, only the one who was thankful and voiced that gratitude truly embraced Jesus?
What blessing will thankfulness as a response open to you?
Over the last several months, I have been pretty overloaded with the buildout. It’s really been nearly two years now if you think about when this entire process of getting this new facility started for us. Nearly two years of raising money and navigating real estate, commercial planning and construction, and the sort. I’ve had to learn on the fly a lot and that alone can be very strenuous, but overseeing and in most cases, actually doing, the work from dirt to a completed building has stressed me to the limit.
But during these last several months, Monique has really been more incredible than she normally is. She’s gone over an above. She realizes I am under a lot of pressure, so I am not getting bombarded by her on my schedule and how much I have to be at the facility. She’s over-considerate on my time and has made life so much better.
So I told her so.
“You’ve been so gracious these last several months. You’ve helped me more than you could ever know. With the stress of leading a church and building out this massive project, you’ve created a safe place for me to not have to stress and worry. Thank you so much. It’s made the difference.”
Her acts of kindness were enough. What Jesus has done for us, is enough.
But in a moment of vocalized gratitude, there’s another blessing that you both receive.
Gratitude is the natural response to being treated better than you deserve.
So what are the nuts and bolts of being thankful as a response?
Be quick to respond with gratitude when someone acts towards you in kindness.
Be Thankful as a Choice
It is amazing how many things in our lives we ascribe to emotions or feelings that are actually choices. Love is not an emotion. It is a choice. Faithfulness is not a quality. It is a choice. Obedience is not a desire. It is a choice.
We choose to be thankful.
There is a word for a person who has no gratitude: an ingrate.
Now, why would anyone not be thankful? Because of the Thieves of Thankfulness: envy, materialism, narcissism, cynicism, and entitlement.
You can choose to be envious.
You can choose to be wrapped up in things.
You can choose to be self important.
You can choose to distrust people thinking that they are only doing a, b, and c because they want something from you.
You can choose to think you DESERVE the kindness you are being shown.
But you can also choose to be thankful.
Entitlement might be the single most destructive item on this list in our culture today. The idea of “I deserve” is debilitating. We have this mindset the most with God.
We know deep in our hearts that we don’t deserve his grace even for a second, but we can so easily choose entitlement instead of gratitude.
And when we do this, we are in some biblical company.
Jeremiah felt this in Jeremiah 15:16-18
16 When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty. 17 I never sat in the company of revelers, never made merry with them; I sat alone because your hand was on me and you had filled me with indignation. 18 Why is my pain unending and my wound grievous and incurable? Will you be to me like a deceptive brook, like a spring that fails?
Jeremiah had fallen into the trap of delusional self-righteousness. But it’s a trap any believer can fall into! “I’ve been a good Christian, a faithful spouse, parent, employee, I’ve been a generous giver and a willing volunteer, Lord; I deserve better!”
Remember the 10 lepers from earlier?
Luke 17:16-18
16 and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”
One was a Samaritan, a foreigner. What were the others then? Israelites. Do you see how this mindset can manifest? We’re God’s children. We shouldn’t have problems too begin with.
I know none of us here has ever questioned why God did or didn’t do something because we thought we deserved it.
And I am not trying to be mean here, but I do want to remind us that even when we don’t understand, even if we think we deserve kindness, being thankful is a choice.
The nuts and bolts here are simple: Choose gratitude and kill the thieves of thankfulness.
It is amazing how many things in our lives we ascribe to emotions or feelings that are actually choices. Love is not an emotion. It is a choice. Faithfulness is not a quality. It is a choice. Obedience is not a desire. It is a choice.
We choose to be thankful.
There is a word for a person who has no gratitude: an ingrate.
Now, why would anyone not be thankful? Because of the Thieves of Thankfulness: envy, materialism, narcissism, cynicism, and entitlement.
You can choose to be envious.
You can choose to be wrapped up in things.
You can choose to be self important.
You can choose to distrust people thinking that they are only doing a, b, and c because they want something from you.
You can choose to think you DESERVE the kindness you are being shown.
But you can also choose to be thankful.
Entitlement might be the single most destructive item on this list in our culture today. The idea of “I deserve” is debilitating. We have this mindset the most with God.
We know deep in our hearts that we don’t deserve his grace even for a second, but we can so easily choose entitlement instead of gratitude.
And when we do this, we are in some biblical company.
Jeremiah felt this in Jeremiah 15:16-18
16 When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty. 17 I never sat in the company of revelers, never made merry with them; I sat alone because your hand was on me and you had filled me with indignation. 18 Why is my pain unending and my wound grievous and incurable? Will you be to me like a deceptive brook, like a spring that fails?
Jeremiah had fallen into the trap of delusional self-righteousness. But it’s a trap any believer can fall into! “I’ve been a good Christian, a faithful spouse, parent, employee, I’ve been a generous giver and a willing volunteer, Lord; I deserve better!”
Remember the 10 lepers from earlier?
Luke 17:16-18
16 and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”
One was a Samaritan, a foreigner. What were the others then? Israelites. Do you see how this mindset can manifest? We’re God’s children. We shouldn’t have problems too begin with.
I know none of us here has ever questioned why God did or didn’t do something because we thought we deserved it.
And I am not trying to be mean here, but I do want to remind us that even when we don’t understand, even if we think we deserve kindness, being thankful is a choice.
The nuts and bolts here are simple: Choose gratitude and kill the thieves of thankfulness.
Be Thankful as a Lifestyle
Gratitude comes as a response, as a choice, but being thankful should be a part of our Christian lifestyle. As common as prayer, worship, Bible engagement, church attendance, the rest of the spiritual disciplines, gratitude should be there, too.
Here are some key elements of being thankful as a lifestyle:
Gratitude as a lifestyle is biblical.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Gratitude is not just for good times, but also a way to acknowledge God's presence especially during challenges. You are not going to want to choose gratitude all day long and twice on Sunday. Problems will arise and create moments where you’d rather embrace one of the thieves of thankfulness.
What is one thing right now you are thankful for?
I definitely don’t want my daughter to have CTLA4, but I am thankful in that her having this has created opportunities for me to have one on one times with my kid that I might not have otherwise. A lifestyle of entitlement won’t let me see that. A lifestyle of gratitude let’s me enjoy those moments even if all the world isn’t right.
Whatever situation you are in, try to find something for which to be thankful and then watch how that simple act will give you a better perspective on that situation. (e.g. No gas! Least I have a truck! My wife is…! But you’re only focusing on the 20% bad and not the 80% good!)
Being thankful helps you focus on the giver.
Gratitude is not just about appreciating the blessings themselves, but primarily about recognizing God as the source of all good things, and expressing thanks directly to Him.
James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
This is especially powerful when you are feeling like God is distant or not answering prayer. Remember, God cares more about hearts than hands. He isn’t looking to give you a handout. He wants you to know his heart. There’s a beautiful verse that represents this principle:
Romans 2:4
Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?
This doesn’t only work to improve your relationship with God, but with other people as well. When you focus on the person, on their heart in displaying kindness or generosity, it helps you embrace them in a deeper way.
Let gratitude transform you. Practicing gratitude can shift one's perspective, helping to focus on the positive aspects of life, fostering contentment, and leading to a more joyful outlook.
Gratitude goes beyond words.
Being thankful goes beyond simply saying "thank you.” Gratitude carries with it an emotional, physiological, even a spiritual response. When we express it, it is a result of being a beneficiary of another’s kindness. When we receive it, it is a result of showing kindness. Because gratitude affects us so deeply, it should manifest in actions like serving others, showing compassion, and living a life that reflects God's love.
Being thankful should be a daily practice.
Practices like prayers of thanksgiving, expressing appreciation to others, actively looking for good in everyday situations, even journaling about blessings for those who might want to keep a record so you can go back and see God’s goodness over the years. All of these practices help you be constantly grateful.
Satan wants you focusing daily on the negatives. Being thankful helps you focus daily on the positives.
There is a phrase I say a lot. Based on the Facebook post earlier this month, apparently I have a lot of catch phrases. Because of such a struggle with the orphan spirit, receiving can be hard for me. I always want to do for others, partially because generosity is important to me, and partially because my love language to others is acts of service. But I have to be careful not to stifle someone else’s kindness by refusing to receive their generosity or act of service. I have to be careful I don’t rob them of the same rush I get when I am generous and serving.
I don’t remember when I first heard this, but years ago I added a catchphrase that has become a part of my daily life:
“Thank you. I receive it.”
Whether you think you deserve the kind word or not.
Whether you can buy the hamburger or not.
Whether you can use the help you not.
“Thank you. I receive it.”
Gratitude comes as a response, as a choice, but being thankful should be a part of our Christian lifestyle. As common as prayer, worship, Bible engagement, church attendance, the rest of the spiritual disciplines, gratitude should be there, too.
Here are some key elements of being thankful as a lifestyle:
Gratitude as a lifestyle is biblical.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Gratitude is not just for good times, but also a way to acknowledge God's presence especially during challenges. You are not going to want to choose gratitude all day long and twice on Sunday. Problems will arise and create moments where you’d rather embrace one of the thieves of thankfulness.
What is one thing right now you are thankful for?
I definitely don’t want my daughter to have CTLA4, but I am thankful in that her having this has created opportunities for me to have one on one times with my kid that I might not have otherwise. A lifestyle of entitlement won’t let me see that. A lifestyle of gratitude let’s me enjoy those moments even if all the world isn’t right.
Whatever situation you are in, try to find something for which to be thankful and then watch how that simple act will give you a better perspective on that situation. (e.g. No gas! Least I have a truck! My wife is…! But you’re only focusing on the 20% bad and not the 80% good!)
Being thankful helps you focus on the giver.
Gratitude is not just about appreciating the blessings themselves, but primarily about recognizing God as the source of all good things, and expressing thanks directly to Him.
James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
This is especially powerful when you are feeling like God is distant or not answering prayer. Remember, God cares more about hearts than hands. He isn’t looking to give you a handout. He wants you to know his heart. There’s a beautiful verse that represents this principle:
Romans 2:4
Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?
This doesn’t only work to improve your relationship with God, but with other people as well. When you focus on the person, on their heart in displaying kindness or generosity, it helps you embrace them in a deeper way.
Let gratitude transform you. Practicing gratitude can shift one's perspective, helping to focus on the positive aspects of life, fostering contentment, and leading to a more joyful outlook.
Gratitude goes beyond words.
Being thankful goes beyond simply saying "thank you.” Gratitude carries with it an emotional, physiological, even a spiritual response. When we express it, it is a result of being a beneficiary of another’s kindness. When we receive it, it is a result of showing kindness. Because gratitude affects us so deeply, it should manifest in actions like serving others, showing compassion, and living a life that reflects God's love.
Being thankful should be a daily practice.
Practices like prayers of thanksgiving, expressing appreciation to others, actively looking for good in everyday situations, even journaling about blessings for those who might want to keep a record so you can go back and see God’s goodness over the years. All of these practices help you be constantly grateful.
Satan wants you focusing daily on the negatives. Being thankful helps you focus daily on the positives.
There is a phrase I say a lot. Based on the Facebook post earlier this month, apparently I have a lot of catch phrases. Because of such a struggle with the orphan spirit, receiving can be hard for me. I always want to do for others, partially because generosity is important to me, and partially because my love language to others is acts of service. But I have to be careful not to stifle someone else’s kindness by refusing to receive their generosity or act of service. I have to be careful I don’t rob them of the same rush I get when I am generous and serving.
I don’t remember when I first heard this, but years ago I added a catchphrase that has become a part of my daily life:
“Thank you. I receive it.”
Whether you think you deserve the kind word or not.
Whether you can buy the hamburger or not.
Whether you can use the help you not.
“Thank you. I receive it.”
Gratitude is really simple. It is simple a heart-felt thank you. And being thankful is contagious. When someone is good to you it makes you want to be good to someone else.
Thanksgiving is coming up this week and I think it is important to remember why we celebrate: In 1621, the Pilgrims and Wampanoag people shared a harvest feast to celebrate a good year and to give thanks for their friendship and new home. The Wampanoag people had helped the Pilgrims survive their first winter by providing food, so the Pilgrims, driven by their gratitude for God, his blessing, set aside a day to be grateful for the year, new friends, and surviving.
What are you thankful for today?
Maybe you are here today and you realize you’ve been overloaded with God’s blessing and favor, and you just need to say thank you.
Maybe things are overall great, but there are a few areas where you really need God to come through.
Maybe this year has been rough and the last thing you can muster is a thank you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
give thanks in all circumstances
No matter what, we can all thank God this morning for Jesus.
2 Corinthians 9:15
Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
Let’s take a moment today and thank God for his goodness.
Thanksgiving is coming up this week and I think it is important to remember why we celebrate: In 1621, the Pilgrims and Wampanoag people shared a harvest feast to celebrate a good year and to give thanks for their friendship and new home. The Wampanoag people had helped the Pilgrims survive their first winter by providing food, so the Pilgrims, driven by their gratitude for God, his blessing, set aside a day to be grateful for the year, new friends, and surviving.
What are you thankful for today?
Maybe you are here today and you realize you’ve been overloaded with God’s blessing and favor, and you just need to say thank you.
Maybe things are overall great, but there are a few areas where you really need God to come through.
Maybe this year has been rough and the last thing you can muster is a thank you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
give thanks in all circumstances
No matter what, we can all thank God this morning for Jesus.
2 Corinthians 9:15
Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
Let’s take a moment today and thank God for his goodness.
What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?
How does he want you to respond?
How does he want you to respond?