Freedom Fighters

GIVE THANKS

For all things are for your sakes, that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 4:15

Welcome to this new week of Freedom Fighter’s. Thanks for joining me on the journey. I want to welcome some new friends who are joining us. You know who you are – welcome to my new brothers.

The turkey and filling are all put away (literally) and I don’t want to move on to the next holiday thinking that I am off the hook with giving thanks. Remember we talked last week and thankfulness being a part of our daily walk.

I preparation for a message that I presented to the Colony men on Thanksgiving Day, I looked up the phrase “give thanks” in my concordance. Here is what I discovered:

The Bible uses the phrase “give thanks” 97 x’s and is mentioned from Genesis to Revelation. A rule of inductive Bible study is that if something is mentioned more than one time – is obviously very important. Here are some observations:

Give thanks for the Lord is good
Give thanks with all my heart
Give thanks abundantly
Lord Jesus modeled giving thanks – 10 verses in the gospel
Paul modeled a thankful heart
Give thanks in the presence of all
Give thanks always
Give thanks brings abounding glory to God

I want to suggest to you that a life of “thanksliving” does at least three things for us:

1. It gives us perspective. Psalm 136 tells me to give thanks four times (must be important):
   Give thanks to the Lord for He is good
   Give thanks to the god of Gods
   Give thanks to the lord of Lords
   Give thanks to the God of heavenWhy? Because His lovingkindess is everlasting. David uses that phrase 26 times. Check it out. He rehearses the journey of the Israelites – the good and the bad.
2. It helps us to view life from God’s perspective. Giving thanks helps remind me that even when I don’t understand, God has a greater purpose for His glory and my good.
3. It’s contagious. Hang out with a thankful person and you will want to be around them. You’ll find yourself wanting to be like that person. The reverse is true. Do you find yourself wanting to be around people who are always grumbling and complaining?
4. It brings glory to God. Check out the verse at the top of the page. My giving thanks brings glory to God.

I want to live out this message of “Thanksliving.” How about you? And you have permission to call me out on it if I start whining and complaining. – Bill Welte is President/CEO of America’s Keswick

Team YOU: Ezekiel 27-29; Proverbs 26; 1 Peter 3

Motivations: A great many people are trying to make peace, but that has already been done. God has not left it for us to do; all we have to do – is to enter into it. Dwight L Moody

Practice to Remember: Level 1: James 4:6  Level 2: James 4:1-6

Powered Up:  Do not ask others to pray for you; our Lord says, “Pray yourself, ask!” Oswald Chambers