Now, What Do You Say?
In the check out line at Wal Mart, a child begged for money to play the video games. The mother, already checked out, purchases bagged up and ready to go, refused, telling the little boy she had no cash. The lady next in line handed the little blonde haired boy a dollar bill. The mother trying to refuse, finally allowed the boy to accept the gift. Looking at her son who was tightly holding on to the dollar, the mother said, "Now what do you say?" The little boy replied, "Can I go play the game now?"
This being November, the month of Thanksgiving, everyone is thinking about thankfulness, something we should think about every day. As we think of all the gifts that God hands to us, we should ask ourselves," What should we say?", not," Now can we go play?"
As I studied on thanks this week I found the Bible has so much to say about thanks. God's Word suggests that we give thanks, commands that we give thanks, tells us how, where, when, why and how often we should give thanks. God's Word also shows Jesus setting an example for us, His children, by He Himself giving thanks.
Here are only a few of the verses that give us instructions on giving thanks.
Suggested
Psalm 92:1
It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High.
Commanded
I Chronicles 16:8
Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.
How
(instantly)
Luke 2:38
And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord
Hebrews 13:15
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is. the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
Where
II Samuel 22;50
Therefore I will give thanks unto thee O Lord among the heathen, and I will sing praise unto thy name.
Psalm 105:1
O Give thanks unto the Lord call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.
When
Psalm 119:62
At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments
How Often
Ephesians 5:20
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Why
(repeated seven times)
Psalm 106:1 Praise ye the Lord, O give thanks unto the Lord for he is good for his mercy endureth forever
Psalm 107:1 O give thanks unto the Lord for he is good, for his mercy endureth forever
Psalm 118:1
O give thanks unto the Lord for he is good, for his mercy endureth forever
Psalm 136:1
O give thanks unto the Lord for he is good, for his mercy endureth forever
Psalm 136:2
O give thanks unto the Lord for he is good, for his mercy endureth forever
Psalm 136: 3
O give thanks unto the Lord for he is good, for his mercy endureth forever
Psalm 136:26
O give thanks unto God of heaven for his mercy endureth forever
They Did
Ezra 3:11
And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the Lord because he is good for his mercy endureth forever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.
JESUS DID
Matthew 15:36
And he took the seven loaves and the fishes and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and disciples to the multitude.
Matthew 26:27
And he took the cup and gave thanks and gave it to them saying, Drink ye all of it.
Luke 22:19
And he took bread and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave it unto them saying, This is my body which is given for you this do in remembrance of me.
Surely We Will
Psalm 140: 13
Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name, the upright shall dwell in thy presence.
Now, what do you say?
________________________________________________________________________________________________
- And the other company of them that gave thanks went over against them, and I after them, and the half of the people upon the wall, from beyond the tower of the furnaces even unto the broad wall;
is still in control and will provide for all of my
needs according to His riches in Glory.
Autumn Weather
Pumpkin Pie
My Family that I have now
The Friends God has given
What God has promised me
The Things I see coming into being
The Word that I have to read
This job that I love
This amazing church
The Truth that is in me
and of course my Rufus and Lillie
and on and on
I used to have a car tag that said THNKFL,
because I know God is my provider.
First and foremost I am thankful that "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 NKJV) I am thankful that God saved me even though I didn't deserve it, for the blessings that God has put into my life, my Family, my Church Family and for the humble servants of God who continue to serve God with all of their hearts. Thank you, Judy, for your ministry and for all the lives you have touched. God Bless you!!
Pastor Dirk Rouen
Your servant in Christ,
SSG Patrick "Dirk" Rouen
South Camp
C Co 3/160 IN
TF Habeant Unit 31530
APO, AE 09833
I am thankful for life and love and a sound mind that I can choose to serve God with. I am thankful for a Church that is established on the WORD and a pastor and his family that lives that word. I am thankful for the breath that God allows my body to use every day that I can praise him and worship him with. The valleys that he allows me to grow in and the mountain tops that come in just the nick of time.
I am thankful for my Family and a great one at that!
I am thankful for my Jesus and his love and Grace and Power and that he died for me so that I might be saved. That I may be poor but yet I am rich and have a Heavenly Father that owns it all !!!! So what have I need for other than to thank him for everything?
Lisa Crockett
There are so many things I am grateful for: my family (church and natural), my healings (myself and all my family healings), my possessions. I was thinking about what would happen if I didn't have my possessions, then I remembered when I did lose my home (it burned) and all my possessions, God always provided somehow. No matter what I went through He was always there, even when I didn't acknowledge Him. Where sin is present...Grace abounds. I am most thankful for God Himself. He loves us even when we can't love ourselves. When He said He will never leave us or forsake us He wasn't just talking about those who have a personal relationship with Him, but He was talking to ALL of His children. He was looking for me, trying to woo me into His presence. He doesn't change. For that I am grateful. He is just too big for me to describe and for that I am thankful. My heart is thankful for God being who He is, "I AM THAT I AM."
Kathy Duhr
This one is from the missionaries in South Africa.
Deo Valente Mission - Pretoria - South Africa
and Missionary Administration.
Website: www.sachurchnet.co.za/missioncare
I just want you all you know
I treasure each and every one of you
You are the ones who lift me up
When the trials of life make me blue.
You may just say a simple prayer
Or give an encouraging word when I'm down
Perhaps you sent a funny e-mail
That took away my sad frown
You may just pass along some wisdom
Or let me rejoice at a trial you overcame
You share so much with me from day to day
Without you life just wouldn't be the sam
You listen to all my problems
And pray for me when I'm in a trial
You cry with me when I am broken
And rejoice when victory brings a smile
God is such an Awesome God.
He gives us just what we need
I count you as a special blessing
My church family, sent from Jesus to me.
Cheryl Killman
A Prayer For You
Today I thank God for you and ask Him to bless.
Today I thank God and ask Him to give you rest.
I pray you find peace, joy, and fullness in your life today.
I pray God takes any sorrow, torment, or strife away.
Today may you walk with sureness in every step you take.
Today may you have divine direction in decisions you must make.
I pray you are blessed as you come and as you go.
I pray the very essence of our Savior, Jesus Christ, you come to know.
I pray you accept His healing from any diseases that may attempt to bind you.
I pray you accept His deliverance from any devices that may attempt to blind you.
I pray you accept His salvation from eternal death that cannot hold you.
I pray you accept His Spirit keeping you from all fear that cannot control you.
Yes, I thank God for you, my friend.
Into your life many blessings I pray He sends.
Remember to give thanks to God always in all things
To God always with a joyful noise may you sing.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning
satan shudders and says..."Oh NO... they're up again!"
I am thankful for each new day that God allows me to have.
I am thankful I can get up and hopefully walk and live my life in such a way that the enemy does at least notice I have done a little damage every day to his plans of doom he has for me.
I am thankful for the good plans for a hope and a future my God has for my life each new day He gives me.
Happy Thanksgiving.
I am thankful for each of you who allow me to send these words to your inbox each week. It is a blessing that God connects people in this way so that we may build each other up.
May we always be truly thankful for all our great God has given.