Sunday Words of Encouragement November 22, 2020

Another online Sunday through Vemo and Facebook. Out Pastors continued the message series “Shattered”. Our Youth Pastor shared first and then our Pastor wrapped up the service.

We live in a world that has sin. But God provided redemption through the sacrificial death of Christ.

If a phone falls it may be fine or it may be shattered. Sometimes it is just cracked which doesn’t need to be replaced. But if it is shattered, it no longer works for the purpose intended. In Romans 5:12-19 Paul makes a contrast between Adam’s fall bringing condemnation; through one man came sin. But through the of obedience of one man, Christ Jesus, we receive grace and redemption.

As the recipients of grace, redemption and eternal life, believers should be living a life of Thankfulness. It is more than just saying this. It is changing your life.

1. Transforming your mind through the things of God, not the things of the world. 1 Thessalonians 5:15-18. Give Thanks! Psalm 100:4 Give Thanks!
Numbers 11 tells of some people who weren’t truly thankful. They complained and their complaints displeased the Lord. That thought of displeasing the Lord, should make our hearts hurt. Moses interceded, God showed mercy but they complained again! Their minds were not yet transformed.
2. Meditating on the Bible. God will reveal things if you spend time studying His Word.

Meditating on the Word helps to transform your mind. This expands your ability to live a life of Thankfulness.

Are we holding on to our complaints? Would you give up whatever He asks you to in order to serve Him?

This is a song encouraging giving thanks to the "one who takes care of all things".

Verses for Today:
Romans 5:18-19 (NIV)
18 Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
Psalm 100:4 (NIV)
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.

Lord - I love being Thankful for all You have given me -- from creation, birth, blessings and redemption!

Sunday Words of Encouragement November 22, 2015

Pastor shared a message for Thanksgiving.
Governor Bradford sent forth a proclamation for everyone to gather to celebrate and give thanks for the community’s third year, 1623. They gave thanks, just as we can today, for being saved by God’s mercy and grace.
We are reminded that we should give thanks ALWAYS (Ephesians 5:19-20) and in ALL circumstances (Thessalonians 5:16-18). That means we should have an ‘Attitude of gratitude’.
There are three things that can keep us from being thankful:

1. Pride or the attitude of “I deserve it”.
2. Critical spirit - always complaining.
3. Carelessness - we do not respond because we take things for granted.

Thanksgiving needs to be expressed.
See Psalms 100:4 and Psalms 107:1.
In Luke chapter 17 ten lepers were healed but only one returned to thank Jesus. Jesus told that one that he was ‘made whole, not just healed.’

Rudyard Kipling considered the word “thanks” worth a $100.00. [The reporter reached into his pocket and pulled out a one hundred-dollar bill and gave it to Kipling and said, ―Here‘s a one hundred dollar bill, Mr. Kipling. Now you give me one of your hundred dollar words.
Rudyard Kipling looked at the money, put it in his pocket and said, "Thanks!"] 

Gratitude gives stress release. [Gratitude reduces a multitude of toxic emotions, ranging from envy and resentment to frustration and regret. Robert A. Emmons, Ph.D., a leading gratitude researcher, has conducted multiple studies on the link between gratitude and well-being. His research confirms that gratitude effectively increases happiness and reduces depression.]

We express thanks when we spend time with Him, share time with others, in service and in ministry (evangelism). God wants us to give the best of our time, treasure and talent.

Thanksgiving needs to be unreserved.

• For the blessings of life.
• For the burdens of life. See Romans 8:18 and Philippians 1:12.
• For the benefits of life. Learn to be grateful...submission helps recognize benefits. Look at what we have, not what we don’t have. We should focus on the eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, 17-18.

Thanksgiving is expected.
Continually giving thanks is a mark of a growing Christian, a giving Christian, and a glowing Christian. We can/should sparkle for Jesus.
Shadows are banished by thanks giving. (James 1:17.)

The next time you are struggling - Try Thanksgiving!

I was looking for a different song today - perhaps not a traditional Thanksgiving hymn.
I found this and LOVE the thought of all God's children giving praise at once! It gives me chills.

A Verse for today:
Psalms 100:4 (KJV)
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

I think if I read back on many of my Sunday posts I will see expressions of thanksgiving. There is so much to be thankful for - earthly blessings, yes but more so, an eternal hope!  I am thankful that I have a thankful spirit. :-)