Being Willfully Thankful

In our previous message “Walking The Lighted Path” it was discovered how God through His Son Jesus has provided a potential blessing to all who believe in Christ Jesus! During this thanksgiving season, let us delve deeper into being Christ-like by “Being Willfully Thankful”

Old Testament Scripture Reading Psalms 100:1 – 5 (KJV)

Psa 100:1  A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

Psa 100:2  Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

Psa 100:3  Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Psa 100:4  Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

Psa 100:5  For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

New Testament Scripture Reading: 1Thessalonians 5:15 – 24 (KJV)

1Th 5:15  See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

1Th 5:16  Rejoice evermore.

1Th 5:17  Pray without ceasing.

1Th 5:18  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

1Th 5:19  Quench not the Spirit.

1Th 5:20  Despise not prophesyings.

1Th 5:21  Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

1Th 5:22  Abstain from all appearance of evil.

1Th 5:23  And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1Th 5:24  Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

Transforming Power Statements:

1) One of the greatest challenges for both the saved and the lost is to maintain an attitude of thankfulness at all times, especially when things are not going well, and during times of personal struggle.

2) The Psalmist admonishes us who believe, to always remember to thank God for everything at all times, especially when we assemble together to worship and praise Him; because He is always worthy to be thanked and praised and thanked even when things are not going well!

3) The Apostle Paul, in like manner, commands the New Testament believers, to realize that we have been given insight into God’s total plan for humanity, and therefore, we must always allow the Holy Spirit to lead us into the thankful attitude because no matter what things appear to look like; God has given us His Son Jesus so we therefore, must be willfully thankful!