Three Essentials for True Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving, we must be thankful for the things that we have but also for the things that God has in store for us! In this Sunday message from the archives, Pastor Greg Laurie shares a powerful example of praising God in all circumstances. Listen in to a special message from Acts 16.

Notes

Thanksgiving is not about eating, but rather giving thanks!

“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus.” —1 Thessalonians 5:18

“Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”

It’s easy to want to give thanks when we feel like it, but according to Scripture, it is something the believer is to do regardless of circumstances.

Having an attitude of gratitude will affect you emotionally and physically.

Thankful people are happy people!

The two most important moments in a person’s life is when they are born and when they realize what they are born for.

Far too often, we fail to give God the glory that is due to His name!

Only one of the nine lepers thanked Jesus for what He did. 

1. To give thanks, I must first realize as a Christian, God is in control of my life.

“We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” —Proverbs 16:9

God is sovereign and able to do what He pleases with whomever He chooses whenever He wishes.

“For everything serves Your plans.” —Psalm 119:91

2. I must realize God loves me and is always looking out for my eternal benefit.

When God takes the events of our lives, the good things and the bad things and puts them in the oven of adversity, we will say “that is good.”

3. To give thanks, I must realize God is far wiser than I am.

What is immediately good is not always eternally good.

What is eternally good is not always immediately good but painful. 

“Through each day the Lord pours His unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing His songs praying to God who gives me life.” —Psalm 42:8

Worship can be a powerful evangelistic tool.

When we worship on Earth, we are in tune with what is happening in Heaven.

Scripture commands us to rejoice!

Nothing can separate us from the love of God.

Our joy and contentment in life does not come from what we have, but from who we know!

 If you feel like it or not, rejoice in the Lord!

“Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.”

Jesus Christ is ready to save you!

Scripture Referenced

• Psalm 106:1
• Job 1:21
• Hebrews 13:15
• Psalm 29:2
• Luke 17:15–16
• Romans 8:28
• 2 Corinthians 4:17–18
• Revelation 5:12
• Psalm 73:16
• Philippians 4:4
• Romans 8:38–39
• Hebrews 13:5

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