Thanksgiving Always

Ephesians 5:15–21 NKJV

15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.

Walk Circumspectly

Be careful how you live

Don’t be fools, but wise

consider how many foolish people don’t plan for the future

they take actions without first considering the consequences and cost, and are so often sorry later

But we should be intentional in our lives -

Circumspectly - carefully - with purpose - expecting an intended result and doing what is necessary to achieve it

We can consider the Lord in our lives, and then be careful to please HIm

Redeeming the time becasue the days are evil

In other words we need to take every opportunity to do good

every opportunity to say good things

every opportunity to share the good new, to share your testimony

being aware of the time -

Time is short - there is no promise of tommorow

Times are evil - there is so much wickedness in the world, you may be the only light in that space

There are many people who do not have faith or care - so take advantage of every opportunity

John 4:35 NKJV

35 Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!

jn4.

Understand What The Will of The Lord Is

He says here not to be unwise, but to understand....

implies that not knowing what the will of the Lord is is unwise

And you can know His will

We can know Him through His Word

Through His Spirit

Through Jesus example

We know that He loves us, for He is Love

knowing God’s love for people should cause us to love people

and think carefully how we treat them, especially in disagreements

We Know that God loves righteousness and justice

We know that The Lord’s will is for people to be saved

His will is that we know Him

It is His will that we not be drunk and high

that we not be violent or cruel

that we be kind and tenderhearted

In every area and circumstance of our life, if we understand what His will is, then we are able to do it

and it will be well with you if you do

Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs

so, part of being careful how we live, not like fools, understanding His will and making best use of time...

should include Psalms and Hymns, a melody in our hearts

We should have a Godly melody in our hearts to the Lord, a Spiritual one

How wonderful it is when the melody in your heart is pure, virtuous, good, and pleasing to Him

When there is a melody of goodness in your heart, it comes out in your life.

Giving Thanks Always For All Things to God

Thanksgiving Always. How fitting that we should be on this passage this week

Thankfulness may be one of the greatest keys to a victorious life

People who are genuinely thankful live better -

first they enjoy the blessing they have more, becasue they are thankful for them

things that are not appreciated seldom bring as much joy as things (and people) that are.

Second, this habit of thankfulness leads to receiving more blessings to be thankful for

both naturally and supernaturally

think about this. a person who is thankful for their friends, is likely to have more friends

A person who expresses thankfulness to others is likely to cause those others to want to bless them more.

God demands that we be thankful. On of the sins listed in Romans chapter 1, describing those that fell away from God is that they were not thankful - therefore God gave them over to a reprobate mind...

We have a rich tradition of thanksgiving here in this country

The Pilgrims who came on the Mayflower set an example of thanksgiving

These Pilgrims were first and foremost Christians. Their thankfulness was an extension of their faith

They could have had a complaint giving holiday based on their experience

Over half of their entire group had died either in the voyage or first year here.

they had suffered a difficult voyage, shortage of food and supplies, and a terribly harsh winter.

buried loved ones, friends and children.

And now they had brought in the first harvest, preparing to enter another winter, and they were Thankful.

This illustrates that often people who are thankful and those who are not, both have many trials that they could be unhappy about.

From that Group grew this great nation, and all the prosperity we now enjoy

Abraham Lincoln continues in this tradition of Thanksgiving and proclaimed a national holiday

It is interesting that He did this in the middle of the Civil war

If you are going through a difficult time or trial, it is more important than ever that you be thankful for those blessings you have received.

Abraham Lincoln’s proclamation read in part:

“ I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens”

He was also Specific about two whom we should be expressing this thanks

Paul tells us here that we should be giving thanks always for all things to God

In every circumstance you may find yourself, you can find things for which to be thankful

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

Take a moment to consider some of the things and people that you are thankful for.

Wouldn’t it be nice if we took some time this thanksgiving to acknowledge some of these things out loud and to each other, before we sit down to enjoy such bountiful meals?

what if we let this thanksgiving continue the next day, and the one after that, until we truly are:

Thankful always and for all things to God in the name of Jesus?