16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
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Your life is God’s gift to you.
++And
++What you do with that gift is your _gift_ to God.
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- Increases better sleep & rest.
- Improves your moods & personal outlooks.
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Decreases:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Risk of diseases
- difficulties with chronic pain.
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Improves:
- A healthier heart
- lower levels of protein
- better blood vessels
- cardiovascular health
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What does God want from us?
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6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
Colossians 2:6-7
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22 “Mark this, then, you who forget God, lest I tear you apart, and there be none to deliver! 23 The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!”
Psalms 50:22-23
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A sacrifice is something that costs; something you put effort into.
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Why does the O.T. and the N.T. both emphasize that above everything else, God wants our thanksgiving?
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It is because thanksgiving only comes as a result of having _received_ something.
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Therefore…….
++Thanksgiving is the _proper expression_ of the believer’s life because those in Christ are receiving something constantly from God.
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The Story of the Leper, who returned after his healing to give Jesus praise and thanksgiving, was evidence of genuine faith. (Ref: Luke 17)
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Because of who God is..
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Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name!
Psalm 97:12
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Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love,
Psalm 107:8a
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Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
Psalm 118:1
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I will give to the LORD the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the LORD, the Most High.
Psalm 7:17
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Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. 3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.
Psalm 145:2-3
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How do we express thanksgiving?
++1. _Sing_ with all of your heart.
Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul! I will praise the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. Psalm 146:1-2
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Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting. 2 The LORD builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel. 3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. 4 He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. 5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. 6 The LORD lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground. 7 Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre!
Psalm 147:1-7
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How do we express thanksgiving?
++2. Thank God in _prayer_.
1 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! 2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble 3 and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.
Psalm 107:1-3
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Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
Colossians 4:2
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Thankful………
++1. Because of who God is.
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Thankful…….
++2. Because of what God _has done_.
++I will thank you forever, because you have done it. Psalm 52:9a
(Ref: Psalm 148)
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, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you, 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
1 Peter 1:18-21
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25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
1 Corinthians 11-25-26
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“Eucharist” means grateful.