Giving thanks to God is worship. In fact, it's the only thing we can give to our Father in heaven. All else are things He gives to us: grace, mercy, peace, etc.
Thankfulness is something that comes from our hearts. We should worship (give thanks) in good times and in bad times. As it turns out, however, it's easy to forget to offer thanks in either of those situations! In the good times we are distracted and excited by how good everything is. We talked about the healed lepers last week and how only one returned to thank Jesus. The remaining lepers went on about their way. We often forget in bad times because that can overtake us and overwhelm us. In short, it's easy to get self absorbed and self focused and completely leave God out of things, isn't it?
Pastor Adam encouraged three paths to thankfulness: 1) IN every circumstance (note scripture doesn't say FOR every circumstance); 2) For people in our lives; 3) For the presence of God. Pastor Adam also reminded us to remember God's faithfulness in the past, in the present and in the future. We give thanks for what He has done, what He is doing now, and for what He is going to do. We can be grateful in all things because His faithfulness is always true. The character of God never changes -
INVITATION: Will you join in worship by giving thanks this week?
MONDAY: Below is a pilgrimage through some Scriptural perspective for having a thankful heart:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing that comes from heaven: (Ephesians 1)
He knew you and chose you before the world began; (I Peter 1, Ephesians 1)
He loves you so much that he calls you his own children; (I John 3)
He has brought you from darkness into light and filled you with his glorious power; (Colossians 1)
He has prepared an inheritance for you that will never spoil or fade; (I Peter 1)
He encourages and strengthens you in every good deed and word; (2 Thessalonians 2)
He comforts you in your troubles so that you can comfort others. (2 Corinthians 1)
This is our God, the ultimate source of all things, and the One for whom we live. (I Corinthians 8)
Let us Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. (1 Chronicles 16:34)
TUESDAY: Revelation 1:8: How might you express to God thankfulness for His unchanging nature and character?
WEDNESDAY: Revelation 11:17: How might starting your day with a scripture such as this be helpful in your spiritual life? Many people find attaching such a practice to something you already do (brushing teeth? brewing coffee?) is helpful and centering.
THURSDAY: I Thes. 5:18: Many people spend many years wondering what God's will for their lives might be. This verse tells us! Is there an invitation from God for you in this verse today?
FRIDAY: Psalm 35:18: This verse speaks to giving God praise in public ways and places. In today's service there were two stories shared by people within the Rockhills faith community making their private stories public. A favorite saying of mine often attributed to St. Francis of Assisi reads, “Preach the gospel at all times and if necessary, use words.” How might you praise God this week, and if necessary, use words? What might it look like to NOT use words?
SATURDAY: Psalm 9:1 & 107:1-2: You can also praise God privately. How might you dwell in thanksgiving in your personal time with the Lord this week?