Relationship Based On Thanksgiving

Dale

If you look at where we are at today in Christianity you might say we talk about blessing the food before we eat it. We thank God for the hands that prepared it and we bless it to be nutritious and that gives us a certain perspective that the food we are looking at on the table. But grace after meal gives you a whole new perspective because now you are a partaker of that meal and because of that our thanksgiving is far more effective. You can thank God for something you don’t have in anticipation of appropriating it and receiving it but even greater should your thanksgiving be when you receive it. Thanksgiving as we mature in our ability to be thankful. It gives us an attitude that is different and that’s based on grace after meal because actually what we’re are doing is growing in our attitude towards God. He’s created a people who love Him, want to worship Him, want to be thankful and in return, He gives back to you a relationship built upon thanksgiving.

Sandy:

You can’t really have thankfulness for everything unless you really have learned to trust the Lord. And it’s a thing of openness and an assurance that God is omnipotent and He is looking over you as a Father and He loves you. And if you can trust that more than anything else that comes to your mind whether you’re going through something bad or something good comes to a real thankfulness and praise. That’s what God is looking for.

Ron:

You know what if you start living in that realm I think it is taking you out of the human reasoning realm and it is also taking you out of being dominated by your emotions and your feelings. I don’t think we realize how much we are dominated as human beings by our emotions or our circumstances, or our reason. Those three things really dominate our life or can dominate our life. I think it is a principle. I think there is an initiative that we have as believers. First off, we have to trust, we have to believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. We have to trust Him. Now there are a lot of things to trust Him on right now if you ask me. Because there is a lot going on out there, that I wouldn’t agree with on one level. I wouldn’t agree with it. I don’t like it, I don’t agree with it but I have to trust the Lord, I don’t have to. I determine to trust the Lord. It is a thing of faith and trust.

It’s a huge change in the way of life but I think that it keeps your spirit right, and your attitude right if you are just loving Him as a loving Father. You’re trusting Him and thanking Him and it’s an expression. You have to express something right; all day long things go on with your life. Relationships, circumstances whatever goes on; and you have that choice twenty-four-seven. How are you going to express what’s in your circumstances?

Ok, just like Ed and Deb their air-conditioner went down, they could be moaning and complaining, be upset. Why is this happening to us Lord, why now we just got back from being in Texas and now here we are. We come home and we find our air-conditioner and it’s hotter than heck in the house and we can’t sleep and we are uncomfortable. So, you could have that attitude it’s a choice or you can go yeah, it’s all those things but I choose to voice my thankfulness, I choose to voice my trust in the Lord, and out of this whatever comes out of it, comes out of it because He is in my life and He is. He is so much in our lives.

Deborah:

And He is in control and I know that and I trust in that and I believe in that. And I remind myself, have to remind myself sometimes when I feel overwhelmed by certain things. That the Lord is allowing things for a purpose and I may not see or know why? I may not know how He is going to do it. I don’t know anything but I do know that He is faithful and He is true and His word is true and I believe in His word and I trust in His word. I trust in who He is and His integrity is more important than anything else. And for each one of us, He has the best. Even though it doesn’t feel like it sometimes. Start thanking Him for the things that you have and just worship for who He is.

Laurie:

Being thankful and having a thanksgiving in our hearts is a form of worship. There are many, many aspects to worship. I mean if you look at what Ron was saying, what’s going on in the world right now. You know, you can call it a worldwide brown out. The world is facing you know the four horsemen of revelation. People are afraid, plagues are breaking out. Men’s hearts are failing them for fear, right? But it is the way it is suppose to be but what are we doing, right? We’re looking up because we know our redemption is drawing neigh and we are worshiping the Lord.

Dale:

The thing of thankfulness is truly an expression. I looked it up, and one of the things of thanksgiving is gratitude. The word thanksgiving, gratitude there are so many words that describe it but it is how you act and somehow when you take that extra step. There is something extra that comes with it. There is sincerity, honesty, and impartation. Take a person by the hand and look them in the eye. Say, you know I really thank you for that, I felt your heart as you expressed what you were saying. It becomes an exchange of relationships. And see that’s what we want with the Father in our thanksgiving, in our praise, in our worship, we want that exchange with the Father. We are not worshiping afar off. We’re worshiping at the foot of His throne.

Ron:

In my life and I think in many people’s lives, you don’t feel thankful throughout your day. It is not a feeling. You know what I am saying, your emotions are not and your feelings and even your reason doesn’t line up to what God wants from your heart. And that’s why I think you have to start with a set of heart, a set of will. You go I am going to be thankful today, no matter how I feel, no matter what transpires through the day. You have to start, at least I do. You got to set your will. That doesn’t necessarily mean it is going to be easy by any means. But it is a set, I think of your heart first.

Sandy:

I think as you keep doing it, it becomes easier. So, it’s a matter of deciding that, of course, I trust the Lord and of course I love Him and I know that He is wanting the best for me. So, as you keep practicing it, it becomes easier and easier.

Laurie:

Being anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God.