Give Thanks

Our Theme for the day: “Give Thanks”

Did you know that all God's promises are made on condition? If we do His will, then we can ask what we will, and it shall be done unto us. While we earnestly endeavor to be obedient, God will hear our petitions.

But He will not bless the disobedience.

James said, "Faith without works is dead" (James 2:20). In other words, in order to have God's grace upon us, we must do our part; we must faithfully work His work and bring forth fruits meet for repentance.

Our text for the day: 1 Thessalonians 5:18 states, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Centuries have come and they have gone. Yet people say despite their day, “every day is a day of thanksgiving’. But what does that mean when the numbers are up with people with being depressed, because they can’t make a living or help their families? According to our text, can you still give thanks?

Yes!

Look at the number of people out of work! They don’t have jobs!

Some of these people are our family members! Looking at our texts and the needs of Bermuda, how can people say every day is a day of thanksgiving? Because of selfishness, a loss of respect for life, we see our children killing themselves in the streets!

 

With most people living in a spirit of emptiness, frustration, hopelessness, and guilt. The question is asked, is there anything to be thankful for?

The answer is yes!

Although most people don’t have everything they need, what little they have, they can still give thanks.

It has been over twelve weeks since my computer broke. Yet, I have been unable to send out these devotionals. Medical bills from our daughter Kevina are still hanging over my visa card. Yet, I can still give thanks.

When I look back over my life, there is so much to give God thanks for. Today I encourage you to stop, look around at yourself and tell me what you see?

I’ll tell you what I see, the sun shining, trees smiling, and birds dancing and singing.

I see people helping the needy.

I see children running up and down in the spirt of clean fun and youthful play.

I see old men and old women without, being helped by others.

I see helping people helping other people.

When we open our eyes, there is so much we see. But when you open your eyes with thankfulness, you see so much more!

Dr. Charles G. Hayes and the Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer Choir many years ago sang a powerful song which helps us see this point. They sang “Every day is a day of thanksgiving. God's been so good to me, everyday He's blessing me. Every day is a day of thanksgiving; take the time to glorify the Lord today”. Tell me, how many of you are taking the time to glorify the Lord today with your heart, and not just your lips?

When you look at this question in its proper context. This question has nothing to do with you serving God like me, or me serving God like you. 

But it has everything to do with all of us, taking out a moment every day to give thanks to our God who is worthy to be praised.

From the time these words first appear in scripture, a fuller meaning has been placed on those words.

Long before Dr. Charles G. Hayes and the Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer Choir sang their song, God had a voice that was reminding the people of Thessalonica that they ought to give thanks at all times.

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

If you notice, the spirit of thankfulness doesn’t come by way of itself. Something must take place first in the mind of the one who is giving thanks.

Look with me at Verses 16 to 17, “Now we exhort you, brethren,

1. Warn those who are unruly,

2. Comfort the fainthearted,

3. Uphold the weak,

4. Be patient with all.

5. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone,

6. But always pursue what is good both for your selves and for all.

7. Rejoice always,

8. Pray without ceasing”.

Only when these eight points are followed, then can we give thanks.

If these eight points where followed, starting from the first to the last. Then will our communities be bought together again.

If people would but stop, and give thanks. Homes that are broken will be mended.…….

When people give thanks to God and take their eyes of themselves, then and only then can they expect God’s blessing of peace.

If the solution to life’s greatest problems is to stop and give thanks, why don’t more people do it?

The answer can only be found in a three-letter word, sin. What is the root of sin? Self!!! In order for us to break the curse of self, we must stop and give thank from a heart of love. So why not try it today, and give God thanks.

This letter was written by Chaplain Kevin Santucci

Join us next time for another ray of sunshine from Garden Ministry when we shall look at, “IN HIS TIME”.

Song of the day

Click: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ooK66xOpZg

Our Prayer for today:

Jesus, our Tried Stone, to Thee will I come, moment by moment. In Thy presence I am lifted above pain. Amen.

Prayer Request

Community / International Prayer

Let us pray for all in our local Hospitals

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Bermuda

Let us pray Kevina my daughter.

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Bermuda

Pray that the high level of violence will stop on the beautiful island of Bermuda.

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Africa

Pray for the Ivory Coast's that they may have unity in its government in the wake of last November's disputed election.

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Haiti earthquake: one year on

Let us continue to pray and do all we can for the people of Haiti after the earthquake on 12 January last year. Today is one year to that date.

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Let us take a minute to pray for the people of southern USA to the north-east who are expiring a big winter storm.

A person who loves the Bible, will also love to pray, and a person who loves to pray will

delight themselves in the Bible.

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Testimonies

Greetings from Bermuda

Elder Santucci,

Thank you for sending these daily thought-provoking letters. Please pray for my family and me - I feel we are under attack. Thanks again.

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