The Importance of Thanksgiving. Psalm 105:1-4

Transcription

1 The Importance of Thanksgiving Psalm 105:1-4

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4 The Importance of Thanksgiving A Spiritually Transforming Activity In everything, give thanks. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

5 The Importance of Thanksgiving A Spiritually Transforming Activity A Powerful Act of Trust in God s Sovereignty

6 The Importance of Thanksgiving A Spiritually Transforming Activity A Powerful Act of Trust Gets Focus Off of Self and On God

7 The Importance of Thanksgiving A Spiritually Transforming Activity A Powerful Act of Trust Gets Focus Off of Self and On God Stimulates Yearning for Him O give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face continually. Psalm 105:1+4

8 The Importance of Thanksgiving A Spiritually Transforming Activity A Powerful Act of Trust Gets Focus Off of Self and On God Stimulates Yearning for Him Promotes Humility God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble James 4:6

9 The Importance of Thanksgiving A Spiritually Transforming Activity A Powerful Act of Trust Gets Focus Off of Self and On God Stimulates Yearning for Him Promotes Humility Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

10 The Importance of Thanksgiving A Spiritually Transforming Activity A Powerful Act of Trust Gets Focus Off of Self and On God Stimulates Yearning for Him Promotes Humility Promotes Wholeness Thy faith hath made thee whole Luke 17:19 KJV

11 The Importance of Thanksgiving How the New Science of Thank You Can Change Your Life Readers Digest, October, 2007

12 The Importance of Thanksgiving Feeling grateful can actually make us healthier. Practicing gratitude, acknowledging blessings, and making a point of recognizing the good things in our lives can change us positively.

13 The Importance of Thanksgiving Sleep Better and Exercise More More Optimistic More Alert and Active Over Time can help us make progress toward our Life Goals.

14 The Importance of Thanksgiving Research: 3 Groups 1.Group 1 focused on daily hassles and what went wrong 2.Things and people to be grateful for 3.Mundane daily events

15 The Importance of Thanksgiving Findings: Group 2 was: Happier Saw Life More Favorably Had fewer symptoms or illnesses More active in Positive Ways Exercised ~ 1.5 more hours/week Overall: Better Quality of Life

16 The Importance of Thanksgiving How others saw them: More Energetic More Empathetic and Compassionate Joyful, Optimistic, and Enthusiastic More Helpful

17 The Importance of Thanksgiving Conclusion: There is something powerful about a regular Gratitude Check

18 The Importance of Thanksgiving Follow-Up Less Materialistic and More Generous Less Depressed, Envious, or Anxious and More Optimistic, Energetic, and Enthusiastic Better Health & Exercise, Stronger Immunity Less Stressed, More Resilient in Crises More Oriented toward Public Service Longer Life, Closer Relationships Stronger Faith

19 The Importance of Thanksgiving Another Study Found: Thanking Co-Workers or Employees gets a Better Performance out of them. Expressing or Receiving Appreciation releases Dopamine in the Brain which is linked to feelings of Happiness and activates complex thinking abilities.

20 The Importance of Thanksgiving Discipline of Gratitude: 1.Record Thanks ( Gratitude Journal ) 2.Pay attention to Patterns 3.Catch the Boomerang 4.Seize the Moment Reaching out to share gratitude with someone costs us little but pays big rewards in our lives.

21 The Importance of Thanksgiving The Discipline of Gratitude: 1.Record Thanks ( Gratitude Journal ) 2.Pay attention to Patterns 3.Catch the Boomerang 4.Seize the Moment Eudamonia feelings of fulfillment from doing good regardless of the results.

22 What God Does with a Thankful Heart David is a great Example of someone who had a Thankful Heart toward God. The LORD has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has appointed him as ruler over His people " 1 Samuel 13:14

23 What God Does with a Thankful Heart Thanksgiving draws you closer to God (and Others) Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. Psalm 95:2

24 What God Does with a Thankful Heart Thanksgiving draws you closer to God (and Others) Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. Psalm 100:4

25 What God Does with a Thankful Heart Promotes (1 Samuel 16:7) Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart.

26 What God Does with a Thankful Heart Promotes (1 Samuel 16:7) Protects (1 Samuel 17:45-47) The battle is the Lord s, and He will give you into our hands.

27 What God Does with a Thankful Heart Promotes (1 Samuel 16:7) Protects (1 Samuel 17:45-47) Provides (Psalm 67:1-2) God be Gracious to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us That Thy way may be known on the earth, and Thy salvation among the nations.

28 What God Does with a Thankful Heart Promotes (1 Samuel 16:7) Protects (1 Samuel 17:45-47) Provides (Psalm 67:1-2) Prospers (Psalm 1:2-3) His delight is in the law of the Lord in whatever he does, he prospers

29 What God Does with a Thankful Heart Promotes (1 Samuel 16:7) Protects (1 Samuel 17:45-47) Provides (Psalm 67:1-2) Prospers (Psalm 1:2-3) Picks Up (Ps. 51:10+12) Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.

30 Evidence of Gratefulness Cheerful Giving (2 Cor. 9: 6-9) God loves a cheerful giver

31 Evidence of Gratefulness Cheerful Giving (2 Corinthians 9: 6-9) Glad Service (Psalm 100:2) Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing

32 Evidence of Gratefulness Cheerful Giving (2 Corinthians 9: 6-9) Glad Service (Psalm 100:2) Praise (Psalm 66:1-3) 1 Shout joyful praises to God, all the earth! 2 Sing about the glory of his name! Tell the world how glorious he is. 3 Say to God, How awesome are your deeds! Your enemies cringe before your mighty power.

33 Evidence of Gratefulness Cheerful Giving (2 Corinthians 9: 6-9) Glad Service (Psalm 100:2) Praise (Psalm 66:1-3) Not Offended w/ God (Romans 8:28-29) 28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

34 Evidence of Gratefulness Cheerful Giving (2 Corinthians 9: 6-9) Glad Service (Psalm 100:2) Praise (Psalm 66:1-3) Not Offended w/ God (Romans 8:28-29) Whatever you may be facing, God is not the problem; He is the Solution!!

35 Final Thoughts on Thanksgiving As we exhibit these traits of a thankful heart, we will be more winsome to others, and more effective in all of our relationships.

36 Final Thoughts on Thanksgiving As we exhibit these traits of a thankful heart, we will be more winsome to others, and more effective in all of our relationships. We will fall more deeply in love with God and our relationship with Him will be transformed.

37 Final Thoughts on Thanksgiving As we exhibit these traits of a thankful heart, we will be more winsome to others, and more effective in all of our relationships. We will fall more deeply in love with God and our relationship with Him will be transformed. Love will flow into our lives from God, and out to others as we joyfully share out of the abundance of thankfulness that the Holy Spirit has poured into us.

38 Final Thoughts on Thanksgiving I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder. G. K. Chesterton

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