WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

 ^"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2:10)


Have you ever wondered, "What on Earth was I created to do?"  God created each one of us for a specific purpose.  You were put here to make a contribution, not just to consume resources.  There is something special in you that the world needs!  Today's scripture reminds us that our good works were already prepared of us by God...in advance!  Isn't it great to know that our roadmap is already designed?  It's up to us to follow it!

Whenever you serve others in any way, you are serving God and fulfilling one of your purposes. (Colossians 3:23-24, Matthew 25:34-45, and Ephesians 6:7).  The Lord says in Jeremiah 1:5, that before He made you in your mother's womb, He chose you! You were born set apart for a special work.

This special work isn't necessarily a pulpit ministry, pastor, or evangelist.  Once we are born again, our job is to serve others.  Your gift from birth is the key to your form of service for His glory.  You may have a talent for teaching, comforting others, giving, creating, or any of millions of talents!  Use your talent for the glory of God, that's why it was given to you!

As we go into Thanksgiving, let's remember to use what God gave us to be service to someone else.  Show Him how thankful you are for your gift - use it for Him!



Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, today I thank you for the talent I was born to use for Your glory.  Show me where I may be of service according to Your will.  Use me in a special way to draw others to you. In Jesus name, Amen.


Service is a gift! 

THE POTTER AND THE CLAY

But LORD, you are our father. We are like clay, and you are the potter; your hands made us all (Isaiah 64:8, NCV).



When it comes to spiritual matters – God is the Potter, the Creator, and we are the clay. The world says we should never give up our rights because if we do, we will lose everything. God says that if we surrender to Him, we will gain everything that is important.

In order for God to make us into what He wants us to be, we have to become pliable and willing – like clay. We must come to Him, placing ourselves in His hands, the Potter’s hands. Total surrender demands that we come with no agenda, no pre-set conditions – giving Him permission to bend us, break us and change us.
We sometimes come to God, with a hardened heart and brittle spirit. Life has broken and damaged us and the wrong hands have molded us. Remember, how we come to Him is not nearly as important as the fact that we come. As we give up control to Him, like a Master Craftsman, He begins to work patiently and lovingly, with a specific plan and one-of-a-kind design in mind.

He works through circumstances as well as people, through joy and pain, victory and defeat. He filters every part of life through His plan for us and uses it to create a life of worth and meaning.
Oh, we have tried to live life with our own agenda and plan and have experienced discontentment and frustration. Our soul longs for more and our heart cries out, “Is this all there is?” The truth is that nothing and no one but God can bring us the peace and joy for which we are searching. Are you ready to become the clay, surrendering your broken life to the Potter’s loving and purpose-filled hands? Today is the day!


Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, I am tired of trying to live life in my own power. Right now, I give up and surrender my life completely to You. I choose Your plan over mine. I give You permission to mold me and make me what You want me to be.  I will wait before You and seek Your direction.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

WHO'S YOUR DADDY?

But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. (Luke 6:35)


All children want to have "features" like their father. Their smile, their eyes, or some great feature that they can identify by saying "That's my daddy." 

Since God is our Father, we should not only want to look like we belong to Him, but we should want to have His heart! God is not only rich in goods and power, he is also rich in mercy, kindness, and grace. He asks us to be the same, and our Father even promises to help us have the power to love in this way through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). So let's be open to being generous, gracious, and merciful! If we are, we'll have our Father's heart.



Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for being everything to me.  I want to be more like you from day to day.  Teach me to have a heart like yours- forgiving, gracious, generous, and merciful.  Forgive me for the things I could have done, but didn't. My desire is to make You happy.  Give me the courage and strength I need to do that.  In Jesus name, Amen.

KNOW YOUR WORTH

You know that in the past you were living in a worthless way, a way passed down from the people who lived before you. But you were saved from that useless life. You were bought, not with something that ruins like gold or silver, but with the precious blood of Christ, who was like a pure and perfect lamb.

—1 Peter 1:18-19 (NCV)

 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors,  but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. (NIV)



Have you ever read about people and their "net worth" in magazines?  I'm sure you've seen it on television...the "net worth" of Donald Trump, Oprah Winfrey, or other multi-millionaires.  Do you know your net worth?  Not financially, but do you know how much your life is worth?  I'm sure you know people, hopefully it's not you, who try to prove themselves to others by possessing expensive clothes, cars, or homes.  These people often struggle on a daily basis to feel like they are "somebody".

There's nothing at all wrong with being blessed!!  But dedicating your life to chasing fame and fortune just to flaunt it to others in not a lifestyle you should desire to have.
Living like this is just like chasing the wind! 
The bible even mentions it in Ecclesiastes 6:9 (NLT) we read, “Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless—like chasing the wind.”
The desperate pursuit of earthly value leads to a dead-end.

Do you really want to know how much you're worth?  I'll tell you.  YOU are worth the LIFE, the BLOOD, the DEATH, and the RESURRECTION of Jesus Christ!  If you live your life with this awareness, it will change everything about your life. 

Often in our lives we are mistreated, stepped on, looked over, pushed aside, underestimated, unappreciated, and left to feel unworthy.  But I'm here today to tell you that you are priceless to God. No matter what has happened in your life, you will never lose value in the eyes of our Heavenly Father.  The value in life is not measured by WHO you are, but WHOSE you are!


Let's give our lives back to the Lord today, our disappointments, our suffering, our feelings of worthlessness. He is the God of healing. He has made us clean and worthy of our calling in Him! And there's so much work to be done!!  Your life is meant to inspire others to come to Jesus.  That's how He gets a good return on His investment!! Praise God!! (I'm preaching!)



Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, I want to thank you for adding value to my life through Jesus Christ.  I repent for thinking that I am nobody special.  I am your child, so that makes me the best of the best!  Thank you for loving me in my brokenness.  I accept Jesus into my life today. I thank you for the price of life, blood, death, and resurrection that was paid on my behalf.  Strengthen me daily to walk in your will so that I may bring forth a great return on your investment in me. I love you Lord.  In Jesus name, Amen!



KNOW YOUR WORTH!

 

THE BIBLICAL HISTORY OF MUSIC MINISTRY

It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord; and when they lifted up their voice with the ... instruments of music, ... that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the Lord; so that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God."   II Chronicles 5:13, 14

As we quickly approach the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season, we'll hear so much beautiful music playing everywhere we go.  But the holiday season isn't the only time Christians enjoy it.  Music is a ministry that goes back to the beginning of time!  It's one of the most beautiful ways to worship God.  Did you know the Ministry of Music ushers in the presence of God?  It can set the atmosphere for healing and deliverance as well.  Here is a little lesson on the history of Music Ministry. 


I.   The history of musical instruments can be traced throughout the Bible.

     A.  The earliest instruments of music (Hebrew, kinnor, translated "harp" in Genesis 4:21) were invented by a man named Jubal.

             B.   Other instruments were later made by David (I Chronicles 23:5; II Chronicles 7:6; 29:26) and Solomon (II Chronicles 9:11).

             C.   Some were made of silver (Numbers 10:1, 2), some of brass (I Chronicles 15:19), and some of fir wood (II Samuel 6:5).

             D.  The use of musical instruments in worship can be seen both in the Old (I Chronicles 13:8; II Chronicles 5:12,13; Nehemiah 12:35-41; etc.) and in the New Testaments (Revelation 5:8, 9; 14:2, 3; 15:20; 18:22).

             E.   However, instruments were used on occasions other than the worship of God.

                    1.   The timbrel (tambourine) was popular in use with dance to celebrate military victories.
                          Exodus 15:1-21
                          Judges 11:34
                          I Samuel 18:6, 7

                    2.   The trumpet had multiple uses.
                   a.   To proclaim feast days.
                                    Leviticus 23:23-25; 25:9
                   b.   To gather an assembly.
                                    Numbers 10:1-8
                   c.   To sound an alarm for battle against the enemy.
                                    Numbers 10:9
                                    Nehemiah 4:18, 20
                                    Joel 2:1
                                    Amos 3:6
                                    Jeremiah 4:19
                                    I Corinthians 14:8
                   d.   To herald the arrival of a new king.
                                    I Kings 1:34-41

                     3.   The harp and oboe were used during joyous secular festivities.
                                    Isaiah 5:12
                                    Amos 5:23; 6:4-6

                     4.   The oboe was also played during funeral ceremonies.
                                    Matthew 9:23

                     5.   Solomon listened to music for his own personal enjoyment.
                                    Ecclesiastes 2:1, 8

                     6.   Many instruments came to be used in the worship of pagan gods.
                                    Daniel 3:4-7, etc.

II.   The musical inventions of Jubal (Genesis 4:21) eventually led to the development of many varied instruments.

        A.   Stringed instruments.
                       Psalms 33:2; 150:4
                       Isaiah 38:20

                        1.   Viols.
                               Isaiah 14:11; Amos 5:23; 6:5

                        2.   Psaltery, harp and lyre.
                               Genesis 4:21; 31:26, 27; I Samuel 10:5
                               II Samuel 6:5
                               I Kings 10:12
                               I Chronicles 13:8; 15:16, 28; 16:5, 42; 25:1, 6
                               II Chronicles 5:12, 13; 9:11; 20:28; 29:25
                               Nehemiah 12:27; Job 21:12; 30:31
                               Psalms 33:2; 71:22; 92:3; 108:2; 137:4; 144:9; 149:3; 150:3
                               Isaiah 5:12; 30:32; Ezekiel 26:13
                               Daniel 3:5, 7, 10, 15
                               I Corinthians 14:7; Revelation 5:8; 14:2; 15:2

                          3.   Dulcimer.
                               Daniel 3:5, 10, 15

                   B.   Wind instruments.

                          1.   Trumpet, horn and cornet.
                               Leviticus 25:9; Numbers 10:1-10
                               Joshua 6:5, 20; Judges 7:16-22
                               I Kings 1:34, 41
                               I Chronicles 13:8; 15:28; 16:42; 25:5
                               II Chronicles 5:12, 13; 15:14; 29:26-29; Ezra 3:10
                               Nehemiah 12:35, 41; Psalms 98:6; 150:3
                               Daniel 3:5, 7, 10, 15
                               Hosea 5:8; Zechariah 9:14, 15

                          2.   Flute (sometimes translated "pipe" or "organ").
                               Genesis 4:21; I Samuel 10:5; I Kings 1:40
                               Job 21:12; 30:31
                               Psalms 150:4; Isaiah 5:12; 30:29; Jeremiah 48:36
                               Daniel 3:5, 7, 10, 15; Luke 7:32

                          3.   Sackbut (trombone).
                               Daniel 3:5, 7, 10, 15

               C.  Percussion instruments.

                          1.   Cymbals.
                               II Samuel 6:5
                               I Chronicles 13:8; 15:16, 19, 28; 16:5, 42; 25:1, 6
                               II Chronicles 5:12, 13; 29:25
                               Ezra 3:10
                               Nehemiah 12:27
                               Psalms 150:5
                               I Corinthians 13:1

                          2.   Tambourine (timbrel; or tabret, pl.).
                               Genesis 31:27; Exodus 15:20; Judges 11:34
                               I Samuel 10:5; 18:6
                               II Samuel 6:5; I Chronicles 13:8; Job 21:12
                               Psalms 68:25; 81:2; 149:3; 150:4; Jeremiah 31:4

                          3.   Bells.
                               Exodus 28:33-35

                          4.   Sistra or rattle (Hebrew "mnaamin" = cornets).
                               II Samuel 6:5

                          5.   Triangle ("shalishim," here translated "instruments of music").
                               I Samuel 18:6

III.   What place does human training or natural talent have in the ministry of music?

         A.   Some skill (human training) is involved in ministering through music.
                          I Samuel 15:22  "And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams."
                          I Samuel 16:17  "And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me."
                          Psalms 33:3  "Sing unto him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise."
                          I Chronicles 15:22  "And Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was for song: he instructed about the song, because he was skillful."
                          I Chronicles 25:7  "So the number of them, with their brethren that were instructed in the songs of the LORD, even all that were cunning, was two hundred fourscore and eight."

                 B.   In the Old Testament there were instructors of music.
                          I Chronicles 15:22
                          I Chronicles 25:7, 8
                          II Chronicles 23:12

                 C.   However, skill is not enough. It is the anointing that breaks the yoke (I Samuel 16:18). There is a realm of prophetic music.

                                  I Samuel 16:14-23  "But the spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him. And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee. Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well. And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me. Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him. Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep. And Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son unto Saul. And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer. And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight. And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him."

                                  II Kings 3:15  "But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him."

                                  I Chronicles 25:1, 3, 6, 7  "Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of the workmen according to their service was: Of Jeduthun: the sons of Jeduthun; Gedaliah, and Zeri, and Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the hands of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with a harp, to give thanks and to praise the LORD.... All these were under the hands of their father for song in the house of the LORD, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service of the house of God, according to the king's order to Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman. So the number of them, with their brethren that were instructed in the songs of the LORD, even all that were cunning, was two hundred fourscore and eight."

                    D.   As a musician, David was famous for both the skill by which he played and the anointing under which he ministered.
                          I Samuel 16:16-23

                    E.   Truly anointed music has a powerful effect on its hearers.

                                  1.   Spiritual deliverance may be obtained.
                                       Samuel 16:14-23
                                       Psalms 149:5-9

                                  2.   "The priests could not stand to minister" because the Presence of the Lord was so real.
                                        II Chronicles 5:13, 14
                                        Psalms 149:5-9

                                  3.   It lifts the ministry about to come forth.
                                        II Kings 3:14-16

IV.   The scriptures repeatedly exhort us to "sing unto the Lord!"
                Exodus 15:21
                Psalms 33:3; 81:1; 149:1; etc.
                Ephesians 5:18, 19


                 A.   Singing was a very prominent part of worship in the Old Testament.
                         I Chronicles 16:9
                         Ezra 2:41
                         Nehemiah 7:6 7
                         Psalms 66:2, 4; 68:4, 25, 32; etc.

                          1.   Solomon's songs numbered 1,005.
                                 I Kings 4:32

                          2.   David had a choir of 288 voices.
                                 I Chronicles 25:7

                          3.   Worship in song marked many of the historical achievements of Israel.

                                  a.   Moses and the children of Israel, at the crossing of the Red Sea.
                                        Exodus 15:1, 2, 21

                                  b.   Deborah and Barak, at the defeat of Sisera.
                                        Judges 5

                                  c.   David and all Israel, at the bringing up of the ark of God.
                                        I Chronicles 15

                                  d.   The Levites, at the foundation of the house of the Lord.
                                        II Chronicles 5:12     Ezra 3:11

                                   e.   The dedication of the wall of Jerusalem.
                                        Nehemiah 12:27-29

                        4.   Those who were exceptionally skillful were appointed to be songleaders.

                                      I Chronicles 15:22, 27  "And Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was for song: he instructed about the song, because he was skilful.... and the singers, and Chenaniah the master of the song with the singers ... "
                              Nehemiah 12:46  "For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God."

                  B.   Jesus and His disciples sang when gathered together.
                              Matthew 26:30 (Mark 14:26)  "And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives."

                  C.   The early church knew the power of praising God in song.
                              Acts 2:46, 47; 16:25, 26
                               I Corinthians 14:15, 26
                               Ephesians 5:19
                               Colossians 3:16
                               James 5:13

                  D.   The angels of God worship continually in song.
                              Isaiah 6:3
                               Luke 2:13, 14

                  E.   This is what we will be doing for all eternity.
                              Revelation 5:9; 14:3; 15:3

V.    There is a difference between singing prepared music, in which the words and tune are set (II Chronicles 29:28), and the spontaneous, unpremeditated melody of "singing in the spirit" (Colossians 3:16).


               A.  Spiritual worship is different from any type of natural singing.
                        I Corinthians 14:15

                B.   It is "a new song," never before heard.
                         Psalms 33:3; 149:1

                C.   It is acceptable in the assembly as well as in private prayer.
                         Acts 4:24 all with one accord
                         Ephesians 5:18, 19

VI.   Did dancing historically have any place among the people of God?

                 A.   Dancing commonly took place at the celebration of military victories.
                         I Samuel 18:6
                         I Samuel 21:11  "And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not  this David the king of the land? did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands?"
                       I Samuel 30:16  "And when he had brought him down, behold, they were spread abroad upon all the earth, eating and drinking, and dancing, because of all the great spoil that they had taken out of the land of the Philistines, and out of the land of Judah."

                   B.   It was accompanied very early by the playing of musical instruments and singing.
                        Exodus 15:20, 21
                        Judges 11:34
                        I Samuel 18:6; 2:11
                        Job 21:11, 12

                    C.   Both men (I Samuel 6:14; 30:16; I Chronicles 15:29; Acts 3:6-8) and women (Exodus 15:20, 21; Judges 2:21; 11:34; I Samuel 18:6) took part in this means of expression.

                    D.   Although intended for the praise of God (Psalms 149:3; 150:4), dancing soon came to be a common practice in the worship of pagan gods as well (Exodus 32:6; 19; I Kings 18:26).

                    E.   As an expression of joy (Psalms 30:11; Lamentations 5:15), dancing is prophetically described by Jeremiah as present among God's people at the fulfillment of the promise of full restoration.
                      Jeremiah 31:4  "Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel: thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry."                        Jeremiah 31:13  "Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow."

                   F.   "David danced before the Lord with all his might" at the bringing up of the ark of God.
                      II Samuel 6:5, 14 (I Chronicles 13:8)  NOTE: The same word literally translated "danced" in verse 14 is in verse 5 mistranslated "played."

                    G.   Although evil when used to appeal to the carnal nature of man (Matthew 14:6; Mark 6:22), dancing is appropriate in its place (Ecclesiastes 3:4) and is not to be despised (I Chronicles 15:29). The scriptures exhort us to praise God in dance (Psalms 149:3; 150:4).

VII.   Individual heart attitudes and entire group participation are both very important, for the Spirit to move in a worship service.
          A.   The importance of unity.
                      II Chronicles 5:13, 14  " ... the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord; and when they lifted up their voice (singular) ... then the house of the Lord was filled with a cloud ... so that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God."                        Acts 2:1-4  "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place, and suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues ... and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues... "
            B.   "With gladness" and joy.
                       I Chronicles 15:16
                       II Chronicles 29:28, 30
                       Nehemiah 12:27
            C.   "With all their might."
                       I Chronicles 13:8
            D.   "In your heart" (not routinely) and "to the Lord" (not to each other or to an audience).
                       Colossians 3:16
                       Ephesians 5:19

VIII.   Whether by the use of instruments, song, or dance, music is a very scriptural means of expression towards God.
            A.   Hundreds of scripture verses describe or make reference to the purest form of music – the spiritual worship that will fill all eternity.
                             Psalms 150; etc.
                             Revelation 5:8-14; 7:15; etc.
             B.   This liberty of expression is a delight to God (Psalms 149:3, 4). It is the very purpose for which man was created (Revelation 4:11).


Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the Ministry of Music.  There is such a peace in my soul when I surround myself with worship songs and I pray that your presence will be manifested today as I praise you in a musical atmosphere.  Break every chain of bondage that would hinder me today.  Deliver me from anything that is not like you.  I lift up my hands in praise and I honor your presence. In Jesus name, Amen.


Sing unto the Lord!

GREAT EXPECTATIONS

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)



During this season of Thanksgiving, it's not all roses for some people.  We live in catastrophic times.  There are shootings, fires, job loss, severe illnesses, and so many more devastating things taking place in the lives of many people.  So as followers of Christ, does that mean we just put on a plastic smile like these things don't bother us?  Of course not! 

Through loss and disappointments, we often are so heart broken that we lose sight of our God.  We even feel alone at times.  This is human nature.  But we must remember that " You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." (1 John 4:4).  As long as you can keep your mind on the Father instead of dwelling on everything that is going wrong in your life, you can come out on top!  "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." (Isaiah 26:3)

God does not expect you to think that in some magical way everything is really fine when it isn't. Rather, we are to say "Thank You Lord" knowing that God will somehow bring good ultimately, though we may not know how all the pieces fit together. 
Hard times really are hard times.  It's during these times that we turn to God instead of revolting against Him. 

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Whatever you are going through today, trust and believe that God will turn it all around for you in due season.  Be patient and allow Him to give you a testimony!  When you make it through this storm, you'll know that only Almighty God did it for you!!



Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for never leaving me in the midst of my storm.  It gets really hard for me, but I know that I am not alone.  Today I cast my cares upon You, because your word says in Psalms 55:22 that you will sustain me, and never let me be shaken. And in 1 Peter 5:7 you said that I could cast my cares upon you because you care for me.  Thank you Lord for caring enough for me to see me through this hard time in my life.  I am so glad that when I have no one to turn to, you are always there for me.  I never have to try to find an answer because You are all I need.  Take this little mustard seed of faith of mine and show your glory in my situation.  I thank you in advance! I have great expectations in YOU!!  In Jesus' name, Amen.


Watch God do it!!!

LESSONS OF THANKSGIVIG: A SIMPLE THANK YOU

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." (1 Chronicles 16:34)


Finding ways to show God how grateful you are for His unconditional love should be something we do on a daily basis.  Praising Him in the midst of any circumstance shows that we love and have faith in Him.  But the simplest way of showing gratitude is simply "Thank you!" 

We wake up every morning, we have a place to lay our heads, a table to eat from, and so much more.  Believe it or not, these simple blessings are sometimes taken for granted.  We can easily find ourselves getting so comfortable with our everyday living, that we forget to thank Him for those little things.  The sun shining, the birds singing, our sight and ears to see and hear them.  He loves us forever, and continues to show His love in multiple ways.  Take some time today to tell Him THANK YOU.



Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, today I don't want to ask you for anything.  I just want to thank you for all you've already done!  Thank you for my life, health, and strength.  Thank you for my family and friends.  Thank you for being the source for everything I need.  Thank you for each heartbeat and every breath I take.  Today I thank you Lord.  In Jesus' name, Amen.  


Have an attitude of gratitude!

LESSONS OF THANKSGIVING: PRAISE

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."   (Hebrews 13:15)



November is the month we have set aside for Thanksgiving.  As children of God, we should celebrate and give thanks all the time.  This should be as natural as taking your next breath.  God has done so much for us and continually blesses us with His love.  The phrase "thank you" is just not enough for us to offer in return.  Praise is one of the best ways to express our thanks to Him.  David said in Psalm 34:1, "...His praise shall continually be in my mouth." He also said, "At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments." (Psalm 119:62)
How many of us can say that we praise God in the midnight hour?  Later in that same chapter of Psalms, David says "Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments." (verse 164).  Do we even stop more than once a day to praise Him? 

No matter what our circumstances are -  whether things are going great or we're going through the fire - we must always remember to give Him the praise!  There is so much power and many benefits in praising God! 

1. His Presence: When you praise and worship God, you are bringing down His presence, because he inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm 100:4).
2. His Power: When you praise and worship God, He manifests his power (Acts 16:30-31). His power saves, heals, and delivers.
3. His Glory: When you praise and worship God, the Glory of God comes down (1 Kings 8:10-11).
4. His anointing: When you praise and worship God, the anointing of God descends upon His servants. Because of this they are able to minister more effectively. (II Kings 3:15-16).
5. His deliverance: When you praise and worship God, the deliverance power of God comes into play (II Chron 20:1-20). God comes down to deliver His people as they praise and worship Him.

We serve an Almighty God, and we have so much to be thankful for.  Here are a few reasons to praise Him...continually.



P - Because He is POWERFUL!

      "Now these are thy servants and thy people, whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand."
Nehemiah 1:10

"Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict."
Job 27:23


R - Because of His RIGHTEOUSNESS!

      Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast."   Psalm 36:6
"...for the LORD our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth..."  Daniel 9:14



A - Because He is ABLE!

       "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us."   Ephesians 3:20

"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work."   2 Corinthians 9:8




I - Because He is INFINITE!

     "'O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath
been his counsellor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen."
Romans 11:33-36




S - Because of His STRENGTH!

      "God is my strength and power: And he maketh my way perfect."   2 Samuel 22:33

"The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved."   Psalm 93:1




E - Because He is EVERLASTING!

      "Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding."   Isaiah 40:28

"...and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."   Isaiah 9:6


Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,  I thank you for all that you are. There is none like you!  You are my source, my supply, my way-maker, my comforter, my peace, my strength, and everything I ever need.  Today I offer true praise as a form of my thankfulness to you.  Every breath I take reminds me of your love for me.  Today, fill me with more of you, and take away less of me.  In Jesus name, Amen.


Praise Him in every circumstance!!