Unchanging Reasons for Thanksgiving
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Welcome
Announcements: THANKSGIVING…
Trip to Israel… Please pray for our trip…
Text: Isaiah 41:8-10
Introduction: Gratitude Is Good for You - gratitude as a “new science”.
In 2009, Professor Robert Emmons of the University of California, Davis, conducted a study and showed once again that being grateful can improve your life.
Professor Robert Emmons said: “Those who offer gratitude are less envious and resentful. They sleep more, exercise more, and report a drop in blood pressure.”
Robert Emmons is the author of the book Thanks! How Practicing Gratitude Can Make You Happier, and of a previous book that describes gratitude as a “new science”.
Brenda Shoshanna, a psychologist from New York, said. “You can’t be depressed and grateful at the same time,” Shoshanna, author of 365 Ways to Give Thanks: One for Every Day of the Year. “It makes a person physically, mentally, and in every way healthier.”
My reflection this week…
I am grateful for some things I don’t have—
1. An ape as an ancestor, my great-grandmother wasn’t a gorilla—
2. A mummy as a savior—
3. A myth as a holy book, the Bible—
4. A modernist as a messiah—
But a divine, miraculous, and redeeming Savior, as opposed to a merely human and symbolic figure who has no power to save anyone.
5. A morgue as a church—the Lord’s church is alive!
I am grateful for not having these things…
But I am grateful for having many things…
One of the most explicit biblical verses related to the theme of gratitude is 1 Thessalonians 5:18. This verse says:
18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
This verse commands believers to give thanks to the Lord, not FOR everything, but IN everything!
There is a big difference there!
Certainly, we should be grateful, not only because HE commanded us to be grateful, but because we have much to be grateful for!
But some may say: “I have no reason to be grateful, it seems like everything is against me.”
Friend…beloved brothers and sisters,
Have you ever noticed that gratitude is a very inconsistent thing?
Often, our gratitude focuses on things that are only physical in nature.
We are grateful for our health.
We are grateful for our families and our friends.
We are grateful for our financial stability.
We are grateful for the things we have.
However, all these things are subject to change.
Think about it, health can fail, families can break apart, friendships end, and bank accounts can dry up. (banks do fail)
So what? How does this affect our gratitude?
I want to suggest that we remain grateful for all the physical blessings we enjoy, but let’s learn to look beyond these changeable things to some things that never change.
Starting with gratitude to God for never forgetting his promises.
(Illustration: A man, who was dying, couldn't remember God's promises, but was reminded that God never forgets.)
4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
2 Peter 1:4 (NIV)
he has granted to us his precious and very great promises.
The question that may arise is: “Why did God give us his “great and precious promises”?
Why did HE make promises? After all, what we see around us are people promising things to God, shouldn't we be the ones promising things to Him?
Well, it doesn't work that way. When we are saved, we begin to live under the economy of grace.
From a human point of view, nothing that God does/asks/says to his children makes much sense.
Example:
16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
He chose us, we did not choose Him. We love Him because “He first loved us”…(1 John)
8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.
Q: Why does He do this? A: Love.
Therefore, “Give thanks in all circumstances,” because God has given us His “great and precious promises.”
Therefore, “Give thanks in all circumstances,” because we have precious promises from God for every moment of our journey.
Observe some of these promises that will fill your heart with gratitude.
Let’s look for some
Unchanging Reasons for Thanksgiving
Unchanging Reasons for Thanksgiving
I. God's Providence
I. God's Providence
4 Who has performed and done this, calling the generations from the beginning? I, the Lord, the first, and with the last; I am he.
The fact that God is in control of our lives, the fact that the Lord has a plan for our lives, and the fact that nothing happens to us without His consent—these facts should lead us to be grateful, to rest in His care.
He is in control. He knows what He is doing.
He knows my circumstances. He can change your circumstances in an instant and provide for your needs.
* In an Instant…
* He promoted Joseph from prison to a palace.
* He protected three young Hebrews in a fiery furnace because they would not worship an idol.
* He provided the widow with the money she needed to pay her bills and live with her children.
* He took away the lions' hunger when Daniel was thrown into the den, closing their mouths.
* He arranged Jonah's rescue from the sea with a fish that was designated to betray him.
* He preserved a Syrian general, healing his leprosy immediately when he obeyed God's commands.
Our lives are in God's care, and our path is prepared by Him. This should help you and me to be grateful.
* Psalm 121:3 — He will not let your foot slip; he who watches over you will not slumber.
* * Psalm 121:8 — The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
* Proverbs 16:9 — A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.
* Jeremiah 10:23 — I know, Lord, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for him to direct his steps.
* Psalm 37:23 — The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delights in his way.
* Psalm 56:11 — In God I have put my trust; I will not fear what man can do to me.
* Psalm 112:6–7 … Surely he will never be shaken; the righteous will be remembered forever. [7] He will not fear bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
* Psalm 27:1 — The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
The promise of His Providence helps us to be grateful…
II. The Lord’s Promise of Possession
II. The Lord’s Promise of Possession
9 you whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners, saying to you, “You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off”;
This verse takes us to principle two in dealing with fear. When Cyrus was at war, the nations of the world trembled with fear. Isaiah stated that the idol makers were too busy making their idols because people were turning to their pagan gods for deliverance. The carpenters, the goldsmiths, and the craftsmen were busy in their workshops.
With enemies approaching and leaving destruction in their wake, God’s people should not turn to these idols for deliverance and courage. That was not for them. They belonged to the Lord and were His servants. He did not reject them or cast them out. They needed to turn to Him.
If you know Christ as your Savior, then know that you belong to Him.
You are under His care. He will watch over you.
We tend to forget this, but remembering this truth will help you to be grateful.
You don't need to be dismayed, frightened, or anxiously look around because you are afraid.
* 1 Corinthians 6:19
19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,
* 1 Peter 5:7
7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
* Luke 12:7
7 Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.
* John 10:27–29
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.
If you know Christ as your Savior, then know that you belong to Him.
III. THE PROMISE OF HIS PRESENCE
III. THE PROMISE OF HIS PRESENCE
Isaiah 41:10
10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Illustration: ?Have you experienced a moment/event… that you felt nervous/insecure, you asked someone/friend/relative to be with you in the process/place/event… the person accompanied you…And you felt better because He/She was present. Was He/She there with you?
The Lord's presence in our lives offers the same comfort.
The Lord offers us words of comfort in this wonderful verse from the Bible.
He tells us not to be afraid because He is with us.
We are not alone. This is a promise that helps us overcome our fears. God is with us!
In fact, Jesus' name, Emmanuel, means "God is with us." This truth is repeated several times in Scripture.
5 Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you.
1 “When you go out to war against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them, for the Lord your God is with you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
* I am with you…
* When danger hovers over your life like vultures circle a carcass, I am with you.
* When death takes you to the side of a grave, and you throw a rose into the coffin of a loved one being lowered into a grave, I am with you.
* When discouragement suffocates your joy like a wet woolen blanket, I am with you.
* When you are discarded by others like trash thrown into the city dump, I am with you.
* When misery leaves nothing but crumbs in your cupboards or no roof over your head, I am with you.
* When defeat leaves you breathless, like a kick in the stomach, I am with you.
Our faith in God's presence in our lives will allow us to deal with fears and be grateful.
Let me ask you: “Have you or someone you know ever been asked to buy or ride in A car that was basically falling apart?
* It was covered in rust.
* The tires were bald.
* The glass was cracked.
* The exhaust was falling apart and sounded like a tank.
* The exhaust was smoking black like a steam train chimney.
I mean, the car was in very bad shape. Have you ever made or heard a statement like this: “Well, it would take a lot of faith for me to get into that contraption”? If you made that kind of statement about something, what were you really saying? You were saying: “I don’t have much confidence or faith in this thing. I don’t feel very safe with it.”
On the other hand, would you say the same thing if you were going to ride in a new car? I doubt it. Most of us wouldn’t be invoking faith to get into a new vehicle. We’d jump right into one. Why? Because the car is new and we have complete confidence in it. We’re not worrying about the possibility of it breaking down on the road.
With that in mind, consider Jesus’ words in Matthew 17:20: “…Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
Beloved, when it comes to trusting the Lord and doing great things for Him, God tells us that we don’t need to gather a lot of faith.
We only need a little. Why?
We only need a little because God has the ability to do anything. He has the ability to do the impossible.
He inspires security, confidence, and faith because He is all-powerful.
That’s why we only need simple faith like a little child.
That’s the kind of faith that will allow you to overcome your fear. (Be grateful in all circumstances)
He is with you and fulfills His promises. Thank God for the Lord's presence in our lives!!!
The widow is not alone!
The orphan is not alone!
The Christian imprisoned for his faith is not alone!
* Jonah was not alone in the belly of the whale.
* Daniel was not alone in the lions' den.
* Joseph was not alone in the Egyptian prison.
* Jeremiah was not alone at the bottom of the pit.
* David was not alone when he was persecuted by King Saul.
* If you know the Lord as your Savior, you are not alone!
IV. THE PROMISE OF HIS POWER
IV. THE PROMISE OF HIS POWER
10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Fear and feelings of powerlessness and weakness steal gratitude from our hearts.
He promises to strengthen us for any trial that may arise in our lives. The path.
This is generally how the Lord acts:
He doesn't usually remove the trial. He gives us grace, courage, and strength to go through the trial, which, in turn, helps us mature.
J. C. Penney, the founder of the store that bears his name, once said:“I am grateful for all my problems. As each one was overcome, I became stronger and more able to face those that were yet to come. I grew through all my difficulties.”
The reason we are afraid is because we lack courage in our hearts.
God's strength helps us overcome our weakness and fear.
Paul spoke about this in his own life. God's grace and strength led him not to fear his trials and fears, but to embrace them as opportunities to grow in the Lord.
* 2 Cor 12:9–10
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
God said, “I will strengthen you.” This word “strengthen” comes from the Hebrew word ‘amats {aw-mats’}.
It not only conveys the idea of being strong, but also means “to be courageous, alert, bold, determined, or hardened in heart, to become persistent or stubborn.”
This same word was used to describe Ruth when she was “resolutely determined” to follow Naomi. Her mind was set.
It is also the same word that was used when the Lord told Joshua to be of good “courage.”
Beloved, God is our source of strength.
14 Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!
3 On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased.
16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy;
We can be thankful in everything because…
V. God's Competence
V. God's Competence
10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
13 For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”
14 Fear not, ….
We are able to overcome fear in our lives, not only because God strengthens us, but also because He helps and sustains us when we are unable to overcome our trials and fears. He promises to help us.
What a blessing.
The psalmist said, “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:2).
David said, “Surely God is my helper” (Psalm 54:4a).
The writer of Hebrews said, “So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear what man can do to me’” (Hebrews 13:6).
* God helped Israel conquer the city of Jericho.
* God helped Gideon conquer 135,000 Midianites with only 300 men.
* God helped Daniel discover and interpret the king's dream.
* God helped Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego courageously take a stand against idolatry when their lives were at stake, and He protected them when they were thrown into the fire.
Thanks be to God, we can say, “The Lord is my helper.”
* The Lord is My Helper
* Though provisions may be as meager as a sparrow's meal in a winter storm, the Lord is my helper.
* When my heart is broken like shattered glass and gripped by the hand of sorrow, the Lord is my helper.
* When I feel inadequate, intimidated, ignorant, and insecure like a rusty, broken gate, the Lord is my helper.
* When Satan hurls temptations day after day like flaming arrows from a warrior's bow, the Lord is my helper.
* When alone and outnumbered by opposition like hyenas surrounding a wounded lion, the Lord is my helper.
* When confronted with gigantic problems and trials, like David facing Goliath, the Lord is my helper.
* When my trust in God moves mockers to unleash their verbal venom like the stinger on a scorpion's tail, the Lord is my helper.
* When I finish my race for Christ and finally face the valley of the shadow of death, the Lord will be my helper.
Beloved, the Lord is our helper and holds our hand. Yes, we can be grateful in all circumstances! because of His promises!
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
Today, we need to carefully examine the true blessings of the Lord!
Let us be grateful for all the things He gives us.
Let us praise Him for our health, our families, our financial blessings, and so on. Let us not take them for granted.
But let us learn to be more grateful for those things we can never lose!
Let us learn to always be grateful for those things that cannot change!
if physical blessings have disappeared and we find no reason for praise in them, let us thank the Lord that there are some things that will never change!
The most repeated command throughout the Bible is this: Do not be afraid.
God knows our nature and knows that we are subject to fear. There are many things that frighten us. Everything that is greater than us and everything that we do not control plants fear in our hearts.
We do not overcome fear by incursions into ourselves or by using Eastern meditation techniques.
It is not about repeating magic formulas to bring serenity to our inner selves.
We overcome fear when we know the greatness of our God and when we understand what He has done for us.
Victory over fear is not in the mechanisms used by man, but in faith in the omnipotent God.
From Him emanates the command not to fear.
From Him comes the power to overcome fear.
In Him we experience complete victory over fear.
God commands His people not to be afraid or live in fear.
He makes three promises:
1. He strengthens us. We are too weak. God knows our nature and knows that we are dust. We cannot stand leaning on the crutch of self-confidence. Our victory does not stem from our strength, but from God's presence with us.
2. He helps us. Oh, how powerful a helper is our God. He surrounds us from the front and the rear. He protects us from above and extends His hand beneath us. He straightens us up when we fall and encourages us when we are overwhelmed by discouragement.
3. He sustains us with His faithful right hand. He holds us with His strong and mighty hand, guides us with His counselor, and receives us into glory.
There is no phase of our lives in which He cannot help and sustain us. He is a true refuge.
He is a strong tower in the day of battle.
He is our help in the day of trouble. In Him we have eternal redemption.
What is frightening your soul?
What is troubling your heart?
Cast your cares at the feet of the Lord. Set your eyes on God and triumph over fear.
Remember: you don't need to be afraid!
In these promises, we have an unchanging reason for eternal thanksgiving!
Why not come before Him right now and simply thank Him for who He is and for what He has given to you and me!
