Thanksgiving

Tomorrow

only had what

thankful for?

Backwards Holidays

Mom and boy buying Turkey.

Mom asked what he is thankful for.

He said, Thanksgiving should come after Christmas...

Then we would have more to be thankful for!

Christmas coming.

Thankful for the toys?

I Have Everything!

An eight-year-old

Christina

cancer of the nervous system.

What do you want for your birthday?

"I don't know. I have two sticker books and a Cabbage Patch doll. I have everything!"

She is right!

Contentment is Key

Thanksgiving comes from joyful contentment, not from outward circumstances.

Joyful contentment

choice

peace in Christ.

Thanksgiving When It’s Hard

Thankfulness

during hard times.

James 1:12 ESV

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

Making it through

hard times.

Thankfulness

Count the blessings.

It could be worse.

A 12 year old boy named David was born without an immune system. He underwent a bone marrow transplant in order to correct the deficiency. Up to that point he had spent his entire life in a plastic bubble in order to prevent exposure to common germs, bacteria, and viruses that could kill him. He lived without ever knowing human contact. When asked what he'd like to do if and when released from his protective bubble, he replied, "I want to walk barefoot on grass, and touch my mother's hand."

Find the blessing

in the trial...

Thanksgiving comes from joyful contentment, not from outward circumstances.

You Think You Goat Problems?

In Budapest, a man goes to the rabbi and complains, "Life is unbearable. There are nine of us living in one room. What can I do?" 

The rabbi answers, "Take your goat into the room with you."  The man in incredulous, but the rabbi insists. "Do as I say and come back in a week." 

A week later the man comes back looking more distraught than before.  "We cannot stand it," he tells the rabbi. "The goat is filthy." 

The rabbi then tells him, "Go home and let the goat out. And come back in a week." 

A radiant man returns to the rabbi a week later, exclaiming, "Life is beautiful. We enjoy every minute of it now that there's no goat -- only the nine of us." 

Problem Solved!

What was the problem?

too many people?

Not happy about situation?

B!

Solution...

Be happy!

even if no change in situation!

James 1:2 ESV

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,

Hard isn’t it?

Last thing on mind.

Desperate Times Call for Desperate Gratitude

Two men were walking through a field one day when they spotted an enraged bull. Instantly they darted toward the nearest fence.  The storming bull followed in hot pursuit, and it was soon apparent they wouldn't make it. 

Terrified, the one shouted to the other, "Put up a prayer, John. We're in for it!" 

John answered, "I can't. I've never made a public prayer in my life."

"But you must!" implored his companion. "The bull is catching up to us."

 "All right," panted John, "I'll say the only prayer I know, the one my father used to repeat at the table: 'O Lord, for what we are about to receive, make us truly thankful.'"

God is working

through the ugly.

Habakkuk 3:17–18 ESV

Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.

Thanksgiving comes from joyful contentment, not from outward circumstances.

Peace is a mindset.

that you choose.

Helen Keller

biography

“So much has been given to me that I have no time to ponder that which I don't have.”—Helen Keller

Attitude

How Can I Be Happy?

Job 13:15 ESV

Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face.

Origins of Thanksgiving Day???

“The pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts—nevertheless, [they] set aside a day of thanksgiving.”

Though privation

happy for simple things.

Fed too well

Celebrate Thanksgiving

eating for 12???

Greatest Peace

lasting joy

abiding trust

SERVICE

Thankful to Serve

2 Corinthians 9:10–15 ESV

He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

Thanksgivings Source?

Sacrifice for gospel!

Serving others

get mind off self.

Naturally selfish

guard against mindset.

Proactive Thankfulness

In the late 1800’s George Mueller operated an orphanage that at one time had 1,000 orphans. One morning there was no food to eat, but he called all the children and staff together and prayed thanking God for the provision of food, even though no food was on the table. A few moments later a baker knocked on the door. He told Mr. Muller that God had led him to bake bread the night before and give it to the orphanage. Before the bread was given to the children, a milkman knocked on the door. He said that his milk truck had broken down and he wanted to give the milk to the orphanage.

George Muller gave thanks, even when it took faith to do so.

Life is rough?

Thank God for providing.

Life is good?

serve others

don’t be selfish!

Opposite of Thankfulness?

Whining

Philippians 2:14–15 ESV

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

Forgive Me When I Whine

Today upon a bus, I saw a lovely maid with golden hair; I envied her -- she seemed so gay, and how, I wished I were so fair; When suddenly she rose to leave, I saw her hobble down the aisle; she had one foot and wore a crutch, but as she passed, a smile. Oh God, forgive me when I whine, I have two feet -- the world is mine.

And when I stopped to buy some sweets, the lad who served me had such charm; he seemed to radiate good cheer, his manner was so kind and warm; I said, "It's nice to deal with you, such courtesy I seldom find"; he turned and said, "Oh, thank you sir." And then I saw that he was blind. Oh, God, forgive me when I whine, I have two eyes, the world is mine.

Then, when walking down the street, I saw a child with eyes of blue; he stood and watched the others play, it seemed he knew not what to do; I stopped a moment, then I said, "Why don't you join the others, dear?" He looked ahead without a word, and then I knew he could not hear. Oh God, forgive me when I whine, I have two ears, the world is mine.

With feet to take me where I'd go; with eyes to see the sunsets glow, with ears to hear what I would know. I am blessed indeed. The world is mine; oh, God, forgive me when I whine.

Appeal

Remember: “Thanksgiving comes from joyful contentment, not from outward circumstances.”

Choose not to Whine

Choose to be Content

Genuinely Express Gratitude

Remember Others Have it Worse

Be Proactive - Serve