Thankful Thursday - Expressing Gratitude.....1.30.2025

Expressing Gratitude

Why should we thank God?

The primary reason is because it’s a vital part of honoring Him.

Psalm 50:23 says, “He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me.”

In contrast, the spiritually rebellious people described in Romans 1:21 (“because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.”) acknowledged God’s existence but refused to thank Him.

In this study, we will examine why Biblical characters offered thanks to God. Also, we will have an opportunity to do the same ourselves.

I. Why did Biblical characters thank God?

From the patriarchs to the apostles, the people of the Bible found many occasions to thank God.

Look up each verse, and write a brief description of why they were grateful to the Lord.

• 2 Samuel 22:49-51 (Ex. For God’s protection and deliverance)
• 1 Chronicles 16:34
• Psalm 75:1
• Psalm 118:21
• Psalm 138:8
• Psalm 139:14
• Isaiah 21:1
• Isaiah 25:1
• Matthew 15:36
• Luke 17:12-17
• Romans 6:16-18
• 1 Corinthians 15:56-58
• Ephesians 5:20
• 1 Thessalonians 1:1-3

II. For what are we thankful?

When God answers our prayers in a crisis or works miracles on our behalf, we quickly and eagerly give thanks. But showing our gratitude shouldn’t be limited to special events. The Father is also honored when we thank Him for His faithfulness to provide for our daily needs and when we express gratefulness that we are His children.

Using the examples from Scripture (section I) as a starting point, let us think about God’s goodness towards us.

• We can write a “Thank You” letter to God, in which we concentrate on thanking Him rather than making requests.

• We can create a “Gratitude List” of what He has done for us.

• We can simply pray out loud (or silently), thanking Him for all He has done.

III. When should we give thanks?

Giving thanks should be an integral part of our lives. 

Psalm 44:8 says, “In God we have boasted all day long, and we will give thanks to Your name forever.” In other words, thanksgiving should flow from our hearts on a regular basis.

What kind of role does “thanksgiving” play in our daily lives? 

How faithful are we to thank God for the blessings He has given us?

What could we do to express our gratitude on a regular basis?

Prayer

Father, thank You for sending Your Son so that I can know You. Please forgive me for taking so many blessings for granted. Sometimes, instead of saying, “Thank You,” I’ve complained about what You’ve given or simply asked for more. Please develop within me a heart of gratitude. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Blessings.......

Thankful Thursday - Be Thankful for God Himself......1.23.2025

 Be Thankful for God Himself

#1 -- Be thankful that God is good

2 Chronicles 5:13-14 at the dedication of Solomon's temple it is recorded that "the trumpeters and singers performed together in unison to praise and give thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments, they raised their voices and praised the LORD with these words: "He is so good! His faithful love endures forever!" At that moment a cloud filled the Temple of the LORD. The priests could not continue their work because the glorious presence of the LORD filled the Temple of God."

A similar occurrence at the completion of Zerubbabel's temple, centuries later: Ezra 3:11, "With praise and thanks, they sang this song to the LORD: He is so good! His faithful love for Israel endures forever!" Then all the people gave a great shout, praising the LORD because the foundation of the LORD's Temple had been laid."

#2 -- Be thankful that God is merciful

When preparing his people to worship God, 1 Chronicles 16:41 says, "David appointed Heman, Jeduthun, and the others chosen by name to give thanks to the LORD, "for his faithful love endures forever."

Psalm 106:1-2 says, "Praise the LORD! Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! His loving mercy endures forever. . . . Who can ever praise Him half enough?"

#3 -- Be thankful that God is holy

Psalm 30:4, “Sing praise to the LORD, all you saints, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. For His anger lasts for a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may go on all night, but joy comes with the morning.”

Psalm 97:10-12, "You who love the LORD, hate evil. He protects the lives of His godly people and rescues them from the power of the wicked. Light shines on the godly, and joy on those who do right. Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name!

#4 -- Be thankful that God is sovereign

When David declared Solomon to be the next king of Israel, 1 Chronicles 29:10-13 records that, "David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly: "O LORD, the God of our ancestor Israel, may You be praised forever and ever! Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is Yours, O LORD, and this is Your kingdom. We adore You as the one who is over all things. Riches and honor come from You alone, for You rule over everything. Power and might are in Your hand, and it is at Your discretion that people are made great and given strength. "O our God, we thank You and praise Your glorious name!"

#5 -- Be thankful God chose to not to be silent

Colossians 3:16-17, "Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise. Use His words to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.  And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the LORD Jesus, all the while giving thanks through him to God the Father."

Psalm 119:62, "At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You, because of Your righteous judgments."

Be Thankful for God's Gifts to You

#6 -- Be thankful for the gift of life

Psalm 6:1-5, "O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger or discipline me in Your rage. Have compassion on me, LORD, for I am weak. Heal me, LORD, for my body is in agony. I am sick at heart. How long, O LORD, until you restore me? Return, O LORD, and rescue me. Save me because of Your unfailing love. For in death, who remembers You? In the grave, who will give You thanks?"

#7 -- Be thankful for strength to complete your work

When Nehemiah finished rebuilding Jerusalem's wall, he organized a celebration of thanksgiving and praise. Nehemiah 2:31 and 38 says, "I led the leaders of Judah to the top of the wall and organized two large choirs to give thanks. One of the choirs proceeded southward along the top of the wall to the Dung Gate.  The second choir went northward around the other way to meet them.”

#8 -- Be thankful for the food God provides

At the feeding of the 5000, Jesus first tested Phillip's faith then instructed the people to sit down on the grass He took five barley loaves and two small fish. John 6:11 says, "Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and passed them out to the people. Afterward He did the same with the fish. And they all ate until they were full."

At the feeding of the 4000, Matthew 15:36-37 says, "Then Jesus took the seven loaves and the fish, thanked God for them, broke them into pieces, and gave them to the disciples, who distributed the food to the crowd. They all ate until they were full, and when the scraps were picked up, there were seven large baskets of food left over!"

Acts 27:33-37 indicates Paul did the same. Just before he was shipwrecked on his way to Rome, verse 33 says, "As the darkness gave way to the early morning light, Paul begged everyone to eat. "You haven't touched food for two weeks," he said. "Please eat something now for your own good. For not a hair of your heads will perish." Then he took some bread, gave thanks to God before them all, and broke off a piece and ate it. Then everyone was encouraged, and all 276 of us began eating—for that is the number we had aboard."

#9 -- Be thankful for the peace God provides in your heart

Colossians 3:15, "And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are all called to live in peace. And always be thankful."

#10 -- Be thankful for the salvation God provides

In Paul's prayer for his friends in the church at Colosse, Colossians 1:11-14 records that the apostle prays, "that you will be strengthened with Christ's glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father, who has enabled you to share the inheritance that belongs to God's holy people, who live in the light. For He has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness, and He has brought us into the Kingdom of His dear Son. God has purchased our freedom with His blood and has forgiven all our sins."

Be Thankful for God's Son, the Savior

#11 -- Be thankful just for the fact that Jesus exists

Luke 2 not only records the birth of Jesus, it also records the stories of two people who encountered Jesus as the young baby. One was Simeon who took Jesus from His mother's arms and praised God for the child. The other was Anna. Luke 2:36-38 records her story. Give a listen: "Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, and was very old. She was a widow, for her husband had died when they had been married only seven years. She was now eighty-four years old. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she gave thanks to God. She talked about Jesus to everyone who had been waiting for the promised King to come and deliver Jerusalem."

#12 -- Be thankful for God's unspeakable gift

2 Corinthians 9:15, "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift."

This is the conclusion to Paul's encouragement to the Corinthians to give generously to the desperate Christians in Jerusalem. A famine had robbed them of food and Paul was asking for donations from other churches to help them.

Beginning back in verse 10 the apostle says (reading in the New Living Bible), "For God is the one who gives seed to the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, He will give you many opportunities to do good, and He will produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched so that you can give even more generously. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will break out in thanksgiving to God. So two good things will happen—the needs of the Christians in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanksgiving to God.  You will be glorifying God through your generous gifts. . . And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the wonderful grace of God shown through you. Thank God for his Son—a gift too wonderful for words!"

#13 -- Be thankful for the worthiness of Christ

Revelation 4:9-11 describes a glorious scene in heaven where every living being is on their face before God in worship. It says, "Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the One sitting on the throne, the One who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the One who lives forever and ever. And they lay their crowns before the throne and say, 'You are worthy, O LORD our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For You created everything, and it is for Your pleasure that they exist and were created.'"

#14 -- Be thankful when you celebrate Christ's death

All three of the Synoptic Gospels record that when Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper celebration, He did so by giving thanks to the Father. That's recorded in Matthew 26:27, Mark 14:23 and listen to Luke 22:17 and 19, "Then He took a cup of wine, and when He had given thanks for it, He said, "Take this and share it among yourselves. Then He took a loaf of bread; and when He had thanked God for it, He broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, "This is My body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me."

Paul reminds us of this in 1 Corinthians 11:23-24 where he says, "For this is what the LORD himself said, and I pass it on to you just as I received it. On the night when He was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took a loaf of bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "This is My body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me."

#15 -- Be thankful for the victory over death the Savior provides

Describing what it will one day be like to be with Christ, in heaven, living in our resurrected bodies, the Apostle Paul says in 1 Cor. 15:54-57, "When our perishable earthly bodies have been transformed into heavenly bodies that will never die—then at last the Scriptures will come true: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?' For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. How we thank God, who gives us victory over sin and death through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Be Thankful for Others

#16 -- Be thankful for fellow pilgrims in faith

Ephesians 1:15-16, "After I heard of your faith in the LORD Jesus and your love for all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers."

Colossians 1:3-4, "We give thanks to the God and Father of our LORD Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints."

1 Thessalonians 1:2-3, "We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our LORD Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father."

2 Thessalonians 2:13, "But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the LORD, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification b the Spirit and belief in the truth."

Romans 1:8, "First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world."

1 Corinthians 1:4, "I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus."

#17 -- Be thankful for like-hearted companions to share your vision

2 Corinthians 8:16-17, Paul expresses his gratitude for Titus to the Corinthians by saying, " Thanks be to God who puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus. For he not only accepted the exhortation, but being more diligent, he went to you of his own accord."

#18 -- Be thankful for friends who sacrifice

Paul had friends and helpers everywhere he went, but none more consistent and faithful than a husband/wife team named Priscilla and Aquila. Listen to how Paul greets them in Romans 16:3-4, "Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles."

#19 -- Be thankful how others have received the Word

1 Thessalonians 2:13, "For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe."

#20 -- Be thankful for growing faith and love in other Christians

2 Thessalonians 1:3-5, "We always thank God for you, as is right, for we are thankful that your faith is flourishing and you are all growing in love for each other. We proudly tell God's other churches about your endurance and faithfulness in all the persecutions and hardships you are suffering.  But God will use this persecution to show His justice. For He will make you worthy of His Kingdom, for which you are suffering."

Philemon 4, "I always thank God when I pray for you, Philemon, because I keep hearing of your trust in the LORD Jesus and your love for all of God's people."

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

#21 -- Be thankful for the opportunity to pray for one another

2 Timothy 1:3, "I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day."

#22 -- Be thankful that God hears your prayers

When Jesus was at the grave of Lazarus and about to call him back to life and out of the grave, He paused to pray to His Heavenly Father. John 11:41-44 records, "Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, ‘Father, thank you for hearing Me. You always hear Me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so they will believe You sent Me.' Then Jesus shouted, "Lazarus, come out!" And Lazarus came out, bound in grave clothes, his face wrapped in a head cloth. Jesus told them, "Loose him and let him go."

#23 -- Be thankful for memories of the saints

Paul begins his very personal letter to his Christian friends in Philippi with these words: "May God our Father and the LORD Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. I always pray for you, and I make my requests with a heart full of joy because you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again." (Philippians 1:3-6)

#24 -- Be thankful for the ministry God gives you

1 Timothy 1:12, "And I thank Christ Jesus our LORD who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry."

#25 -- Be thankful for a future Home in Heaven

Hebrews 13:15-16, "Therefore by Christ Jesus, let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased."

Blessings.....

Thankful Thursday - Thanksgiving Every Day.....1.16.2025

 Thanksgiving Every Day

KEY PASSAGE: Psalm 92:1-5

SUPPORTING SCRIPTURES: 

Leviticus 22:29-3 – Psalm 50:23 – 2 Corinthians 5:8

What comes to mind when you think about Thanksgiving Day?

For many of us, it would probably be turkey. After all, it’s the centerpiece of our traditional celebration. As family and friends gather around the table, we generally offer a sincere prayer of gratitude to God for all His blessings before enjoying the food and fellowship. But what comes after dessert? For some people, it’s a football game. Others start planning for Christmas shopping the next day. Although Thanksgiving always ends, our expressions of gratitude to God should continue throughout our daily lives.

Gratitude to God not only honors Him, but it is good for us (Ps. 92:1).

In the Old Testament, He used the sacrificial system to teach His people to be grateful. When He established the Hebrews as His nation, He gave them very specific and detailed instructions concerning His laws and sacrifices so they’d know how He wanted them to live. Through these ordinances, 

He taught them three important truths: 

        (1) God is holy, 

        (2) man is sinful, and 

        (3) obedience is essential.

Because Jesus was the final sacrifice, we are no longer required to offer animal sacrifices. However, the principles the LORD taught through the sacrificial system are still true and applicable for us today. One of the offerings He prescribed was called a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and it was performed every morning and evening (Lev. 22:29-33). The twice daily offering reminded the Hebrews that the LORD was the one who brought them out of Egypt and gave birth to them as a nation. He alone saved, kept, and provided for them just as He does for us today.

Should we do less than the Hebrews—giving thanks to God every morning and evening in recognition of Him as the source of everything we have? 

One of His most precious provisions is His written Word, which instructs us and reveals everything we need to know about the LORD. 

Our gratitude for it can be gauged by our attention to it. If we’re truly thankful for His Word, we’ll diligently read it each day.

How can we follow the example taught by the daily sacrifice of thanksgiving?

We can begin by taking note of simple blessings that God provides each day. Having a car to drive, receiving income from employment, or having a family and a home in which to live are all reasons to be thankful. So often we take these things for granted, but they are all provided for us by our loving heavenly Father.

Having a grateful heart keeps our minds focused on the Lord.

The daily thanksgiving sacrifice was a continual reminder to the Hebrews that their God provided for all their needs. Likewise, each morning is an opportunity to thank the Lord for a good night’s sleep. Even if we tossed and turned all night, we can still be grateful that He’s given us another day.

Gratitude honors God (Ps. 50:23).

When we acknowledge the Lord as the source of all our blessings, we are exalting Him by declaring our dependence upon Him. Who hasn’t breathed a prayer of thanks after narrowly escaping a car accident? Appreciation helps us realize that we cannot make it through life without God’s help.

Thankfulness is expressed in a variety of ways.

Sometimes we gather in worship services to fellowship together and sing praises to God. But we can also worship the Lord when we’re alone by letting everyday activities—no matter how simple—become reasons to thank Him. Another way to acknowledge the Lord as our provider and express our gratitude is to give Him the first part of our income.

A spirit of thanksgiving is the result of remembering all God has done for us.

The Scripture describes many blessings and privileges, which result from our salvation and should invoke gratitude in hearts.

• God chose us before the foundation of the world.

• We are indwelt and sealed by the Holy Spirit.

• We are eternally secure.

• We have been given gifts of the Spirit.

• We have an intimate relationship with the Lord.

• We have the peace of God in our hearts.

• The Lord loves us unconditionally.

• We’re never distant from the presence of God.

• The Lord provides for our needs.

• We have His divine protection each day.

• We have the promise of a bodily resurrection.

• We have the blessing of God’s atonement through Christ and total forgiveness of our sins.

• We have an eternal home in heaven and the promise of the resurrection.

• We’ve been given the Word of God, the source of all knowledge and understanding.

True, heartfelt, daily thanksgiving has a powerful impact on our lives.

It results in a changed mindset and a desire to obey the Lord. Gratitude . . .

• Keeps us continually aware that we are walking in God’s presence. This contributes to a godly lifestyle.

• Motivates us to look for the Lord’s purposes in everything in our lives. Even if we don’t understand what He’s doing, thanking Him lifts the burden.

• Helps us bring our will into submission to His when we suffer pain or loss. By thanking Him in the midst of our pain, we acknowledge His loving sovereignty.

• Continually reminds us that He is our God and motivates us to tell others about Him.

• Reminds us of our continuing dependence on Him.

• Helps us trust the Lord. Because He alone knows what’s best, we can thank Him even if we don’t understand why something’s happening. God honors our thanksgiving the most when we feel like we have the least reason for gratitude.

• Is essential for rejoicing in the midst of suffering. When the bottom drops out of our lives and everything looks dark, songs of praise and thanksgiving restore our hope, assuring us that God is the Light in our darkness. Removes anxiety. Gratitude can drive out worry.

• Keeps our focus on the Lord. The situation may not change, but our attitude will.

• Energizes us physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

To Consider:

How can we make gratitude a daily practice in our lives?

What effect does thankfulness have on our thoughts, attitudes, words, and actions?

What keeps us from thanking God in the midst of hardship or pain? 

What can we do to increase our trust in Him so gratitude will be our first response?

Blessings.....

What the Bible Says About Prayer

 What the Bible Says about Prayer

by Charles Stanley, 2012

Nearly everyone reaches a moment, when the only thing he or she can think to do is pray. Tragedy, uncertainty, unrest, fear, insecurity and trouble can bring even the most self-assured individuals to their knees.

Right now Americans are nervous about the upcoming presidential election, shell-shocked from a number of deadly mass shootings, concerned about the jobs and real estate markets and the  hurricane season that has just begun. The days ahead are sure to be filled with many prayers for protection, prosperity, patience and peace.

But why is it that the urge to pray only seems to come when the going gets tough? When life is going well and everything seems to be right on track, we think ourselves to be fully capable of handling it all. Many people only recognize their need for God when things begin to fall apart.

We turn to prayer because it is the most personal way to experience God, to encounter Him and to grow in knowledge of Him. According to the book of Ephesians, God’s desire is for us to pray “on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests” (Ephesians 6:18).

Still, people are most motivated to pray when they need something from God. But what does the Bible say is the reason God wants us to pray?

Jesus provides clear instructions when it comes to prayer. In what is perhaps His most well known public address, the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus shares with His followers what has become known as “The Lord’s Prayer.” His example models prayers of praise, submission to the will of God, reliance upon Him for daily sustenance and requests for forgiveness and deliverance. Jesus’ prayer focuses more on honoring God than listing needs to be met.

Interestingly, shortly after this instruction on how to pray, Jesus reminds his followers that "the Father knows what you need before you ask Him” (Matthew 6:8). This raises a fairly obvious question: if God already knows what we need, why bother asking?

The answer: Prayer is not a transfer of information, but rather an act of humility.

Prayer requires us to admit that perhaps we don’t quite know it all. In our culture, there is great pressure to have the answers, to convince everyone that we have it all together and to be completely self-sufficient.

According to Scripture, God is all knowing and completely wise which means He understands everything about a situation and sees the best path through it (Psalm 147:5). While our days are filled with expectations and demands, God is waiting for the moment when we say, ”I don’t know, but I know who does.”

Ultimately, Jesus demonstrates through His own life that prayer provides an avenue to the Father. Throughout the New Testament, we're told that Jesus "often withdrew to lonely places and prayed" (Luke 5:16). He was actively carving out time alone to meet with the Father in prayer.

In Luke 10:27, Jesus issues the command to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” But how can we love someone with whom we never speak? It is only through prayer that one can move from knowing about God to knowing God.

Perhaps you’ve never experienced a moment when, out of desperation, you bowed your head to pray. That’s ok. There is a first time for everything. But you don't need to wait until a crisis looms to begin a relationship with God through prayer.

If you have never really prayed, I urge you to give it a try. After all, the Bible tells us that your prayers will be met with God's delight (Proverbs 15:8, Psalm 149:4). The act of prayer leads to the peace, patience and perseverance we all so desperately need. With that in mind, what have you got to lose?

Dr. Charles Stanley was the pastor of First Baptist Church Atlanta, founder of In Touch Ministries and best-selling author of many books. His latest is "The Ultimate Conversation: Talking with God through Prayer." He passed away April 18, 2023.

Sacrificing Your Future for the Pleasure of the Moment

Genesis 25:24-34 –

24 So when her days were fulfilled for her to give birth, indeed there were twins in her womb. 25 And the first came out red. He was like a hairy garment all over; so they called his name sau. 26 Afterward his brother came out, and his hand took hold of Esau’s heel; so his name was called Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them. 27 So the boys grew. And Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field; but Jacob was a mild man, dwelling in tents. 28 And Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.

29 Now Jacob cooked a stew; and Esau came in from the field, and he was weary. 30 And Esau said to Jacob, “Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am weary.” Therefore his name was called Edom. 31 But Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright as of this day.” 32 And Esau said, “Look, I am about to die; so what is this birthright to me?” 33 Then Jacob said, “Swear to me as of this day.” So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. 34 And Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils; then he ate and drank, arose, and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.

----------------------------------------------

We are living in the “now” generation. Whatever we want, we can often find a way to get it immediately.

This could be good if it’s a legitimate and pressing necessity, but it can also be dangerous if what we desire is not something God wants for us. The problem with “have it now” thinking is that we don’t pause to consider the consequences of our actions. One of Satan’s tactics is to keep our minds on the pleasures and benefits of whatever he’s offering us. How much better it would be if we submitted our desires to the Lord and waited on Him to provide what He knows is best.

Many people today are living for the moment and are willing to pay any price to get what they want. This is the situation we see in the story of Jacob and Esau recorded in Genesis 25:25-34, [see scripture above]. How each brother responded to this situation teaches us an essential lesson.

Abraham’s son Isaac had twin sons with his wife, Rebekah. Esau was the firstborn and grew up to become a skillful hunter, but Jacob was a peaceful man who preferred staying home. One day when Jacob had cooked stew, Esau came in from hunting and said, “Please let me have a swallow of that red stuff there, for I am famished” (v. 30). Jacob told Esau if he’d swear to sell him his birthright, he would let him have some stew.

In a Hebrew family, the birthright was a very precious possession of the eldest son, which granted him the place of headship, honor, and authority in the family, as well as most of the father’s property after his death. Yet Esau was willing to trade away this privilege for some soup. His choice demonstrated that he despised his birthright (v. 34).

Esau’s mindset is a perfect picture of our society today, which tends to think only of the present without considering the future consequences.

When do we sacrifice our future for the pleasure of the moment?

When we disregard the sacred values in life.

God gave us the Ten Commandments as a law by which we are to live for our good, but if we disregard them, we’ll end up suffering the consequences in the future.

When we insist on immediate fulfillment of our desires.

David and Samson are two biblical examples of this. King David yielded to his lust for Bathsheba and resorted to the murder of her husband when she became pregnant. The pleasure of a moment yielded painful circumstances for the rest of his life.
Samson was given supernatural strength by God to fight the Philistines, but his desire for Delilah led him to foolishly tell her that the secret of his great strength was in his hair. As a result, she cut his hair, and the Philistines overpowered him, bound him, blinded him, and threw him in prison to work as a grinder. He wrecked and ruined his life by seeking his own desires instead of obeying the Lord.

When our focus is on the worldly rather than the eternal.

We tend to think we can pursue whatever we want because no one, including God, will notice. We forget that His principles never fail. Whatever we sow now, we will reap in the future.

When we make irrevocable decisions in periods of physical and emotional weakness.

This is exactly what Esau did. In a moment of fatigue and exhaustion, he forgot about the future and traded away his promised position of authority and power in the family for a bowl of soup. Later when he wanted it back, it was too late. He had lost his birthright forever. Sin cannot be hidden from God. Its satisfaction is only temporary, and regrets always follow.

When we have no respect for spiritual things.

King Saul is an example of someone who disregarded God’s decision to make David the next king of Israel. In his determination to hang on to his kingdom, he did everything he could to hunt down and kill David in an attempt to thwart God’s plan to make David the next king. As a result, Saul suffered mental torment, and both he and his son Jonathan were killed in battle. He destroyed his future because of his obsession to keep what he desired most—the kingdom.

When we fail to examine the possible consequences of our actions.

Judas walked with Jesus as one of His disciples because he thought Jesus would overthrow Rome, liberate Israel, and rule the world. When he didn’t get what he wanted, he betrayed Jesus and suffered eternal condemnation.

Anytime we sin in seeking our desires, consequences will follow.

Instead of rushing ahead to fulfill our longings, we should consider God’s will and timing for our lives.

We must guard against being like Esau who sacrificed his future for a moment’s pleasure. His bowl was filled with soup, but we fill ours with all sorts of sins instead of seeking the only One who can truly satisfy our souls.

What is in our bowl today that carries disastrous consequences?

Alcohol? – We can buy and drink all we want and feel good for a while, but the results of becoming enslaved to it are difficult and long-lasting.

Prejudice? – Passing judgment on others simply because you don’t relate to them never pleases God.

Drugs? – No one ever intends to become addicted to drugs, but the sought-after pleasure and relief soon turn into bondage.

Bitterness? – It begins with anger and grows into a more destructive emotion that affects our entire being.

Adultery? – Although it’s often glamorized in our culture, adultery destroys individuals and families.

Abortion? – It may seem like a way to escape a difficult situation, but those involved in abortion carry a heavy weight of guilt.

Hatred? – Even if we feel justified in our hatred, it damages our emotions, health, attitudes, and relationships with others and with God.

Unforgiveness? – The right response to every offense is forgiveness, but harboring unforgiveness is a sin that hinders our lives.

Anger? – When we hold on to anger for wrongs committed against us, our bodies, feelings, spirits, and relationships suffer.

To continue in these sins will only result in future suffering. If we find any of these in our lives, we need to ask God to cleanse and forgive us so we can live the life He intends for us.

Let Us Consider:

Have we, like Esau, ever traded something precious for a moment’s pleasure?

What consequences did we experience?

What lessons did we learn?

The next time we have a strong desire and the ability to fulfill it, what should we do to ensure that we do not make a foolish decision?

What spiritual benefits and fruit come from denying ourselves some of our desires?

Blessings......

When God Looks on Us with Favor

Isaiah 66:1-2

1 Thus says the LORD:

    “Heaven is My throne,
    And earth is My footstool.
    Where is the house that you will build Me?
    And where is the place of My rest?
2  For all those things My hand has made,
    And all those things exist,”

Says the LORD.

    “But on this one will I look:
      On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit,
      And who trembles at My word.

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Believers are always under the canopy of God’s grace and love. Nothing we do can change that. At the same time, our behavior and heart condition do determine whether we receive the fullness of His blessings. Today’s passage teaches us how to experience the Father’s favor.

First, He desires that we have a contrite heart and a humble spirit (Ps. 51:17). For that to be the case, all aspects of our lives must be surrendered to Jesus. Yet some dreams, desires, and people are difficult to release into His hands.

Anything we do not give over to His authority is evidence of pride, the exact opposite of what our Father wants in His children. Remember that “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). Lack of submission proves that we think our way is better than His plan.

Second, God tells us to tremble at His Word (Isa. 66:2). Scripture — the unfolding revelation of Jesus Himself — is living and powerful to teach and transform us. Consider how we treat this treasure. Do we devote time each day to know what the Bible says and how to apply its principles? Do we hunger for more of the Word in our lives so we can know its Author better? One measure of our reverence is obedience: to honor the Lord, we must obey Him.

We all desire God’s favor. Are you living in a manner that positions you to receive His full blessings? Prayerfully consider whether you have submitted all areas of your life — from finances and health to relationships and work habits — to Jesus Christ. Recognize His authority in all things, and revere His Word.

Blessings.....

Blog author note: this is from my “Save for Bible Study” folder – it is by Charles Stanley, In Touch Ministries 2009

It’s Good to Give Thanks to God

Our prayers are often more self-centered than we realize. As we talk to God,we tend to forget the many blessings that God has given us. Instead,we focus on the things that we want from Him. We should be continually giving thanks to our Lord and Savior.This is one of the most important priorities in the life of the believer. So many of the psalms give thanks to God, and they encourage us to do the same. For example, we read,“It is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your lovingkindness in the morning and Your faithfulness by night” (Psalm 92:1-2).

Psalm 92:1-5

1    It is good to give thanks to the LORD,
      And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
2    To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning,
      And Your faithfulness every night,
3    On an instrument of ten strings,
      On the lute,
      And on the harp,
      With harmonious sound.
4    For You, LORD, have made me glad through Your work;
      I will triumph in the works of Your hands.

5    O LORD, how great are Your works!
      Your thoughts are very deep.

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Leviticus 22:29 – “And when you offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the LORD, offer it of your own free will.”

1 Chronicles 23:30 – “to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD, and likewise at evening;”

Psalm 50:23 – Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.”

Psalm 105:1-2 – 1 Oh, give thanks to the LORD! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples! 2 Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; Talk of all His wondrous works!

Psalm 106:1-2 – 1 Praise the LORD! Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 2 Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? Who can declare all His praise?

Psalm 107:1-2 – 1 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy,

Philippians 4:6-7 – 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

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Giving thanks to God honors Him. -- Why is it so important that we express gratitude to God? Because He deserves the glory! When we bring hearts of thanksgiving to the Lord, we glorify and magnify His name. We act in obedience by giving the credit and praise to the One who should receive it. He is the author of every good thing, and should receive every honor.

Giving thanks to God refocuses our attention. -- Expressing gratitude to the Lord sets our sights on Him. What better way to bring our attention back to God than to think of the many blessings He has given us.What happens when we rise in the morning? We hurry and focus on the world. We should begin each day by setting our minds on eternal things, and realizing the many awesome things about Him prepares us for the day.

Giving thanks to God releases us from anxiety. -- We live in an age of anxiety and worry. In Philippians 4:6-7, Paul urges us not to give in to worry. Instead, we should bring God our requests with thanksgiving.Then, the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds. Giving thanks to God is the best way to be at peace in a time that has so much fear and anxiety.

Giving thanks to God refreshes our relationship with Him. -- Bringing our gratitude to the LORD has a wonderful effect on our personal relationship with Him. As we declare His lovingkindness in the morning and His faithfulness at night, our spirits are rejuvenated. We feel closer and closer to Him, because He draws near to us when we thank Him and praise Him. You can’t reflect on His blessings and continue to feel downhearted.

Giving thanks to God reinforces our faith. -- The Israelites remembered the mighty works of God. They recalled how He crushed the Egyptians at the Red Sea, and how He fed them on manna in the wilderness. When they kept these memories alive, their faith grew stronger. When you remember the things God has done for you, your faith is reinforced.

Giving thanks to God causes our spirit to rejoice. -- What else happens through thanking God? We get more joy out of life. Counting blessings can only make your heart soar. Do you sing when you’re alone? It doesn’t matter how your voice sounds, but only how your heart feels. Give Him thanks and praise by singing songs that express gratitude and worship.

We give thanks by expressing it in words. -- Giving thanks to God is one of the greatest possible ways we could use our time. Thank Him in words, even if all you can think of at first to say is, “Thank you, God.” Then begin saying thank you for every single blessing and fact about God that you can recall.

We give thanks by singing. -- Another way to thank God is by singing. There is music all around us, from the birds and from the streams that make their own melodies. There is power in song, and God made that power so that we could use it to bring Him our thanks and our praise. There are so many kinds of music today, and we can use them to sing with hearts of joy about the wonderful things God has done for us.

We give thanks by living obediently. -- We can however, express our gratitude without ever saying or singing a word. Nothing pleases God more than an obedient life, because that says,“LORD, you have done so much for me, now I will live for You.” Sincere gratitude will come from an obedient heart, and will lead to obedient actions. We can devote our entire lives to thanksgiving by serving Him and following His will every day.

We give thanks through public worship. -- One of the reasons we gather for worship is to express our thanks to God. Most people attend church to receive something, whether it is teaching, fellowship, or just enjoying the choir. God’s primary purpose for fellowship, however, is that we might worship and express adoration and thanksgiving. As we hear the gospel, God is giving us something; when we sing, we are giving something back.

We give thanks by giving generously. -- Finally, we offer our thanksgiving by giving our resources back to God. We owe every breath and everything we own to our LORD and Creator. When we understand this, we give naturally from hearts filled with joy and thanksgiving. He would not spare His only Son, so how can we be anything but generous in returning our gifts to Him?

As we take time to meditate, let us think:

Have we counted our blessings lately? Have we stopped to think of the many things that God has done, not only for us, but for this world? There is not enough time in our lives to begin to list the infinite number of ways our LORD has given of Himself for us.

Giving thanks is something we can do any time and any place. 

Let us take a few moments right now to reflect on the greatness of God and the gifts He has given us? 

Let us begin each morning with a song of praise and gratitude in our hearts? 

If we do that, we are going to feel more joy in our lives! We are going to feel closer to Him and more eager to serve Him.

Let us “Give thanks to God!”

Blessings......

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by Pastor Charles Stanley, LIFE PRINCIPLES NOTES | LP061119 -- In Touch Ministries

Blog author note: from my "Bible Study" folder. When I looked up number "LP061119 - The Life Principle Notes" the message I got was that Life Principles Study notes has been updated. See 30 Life Principles Study Guide - free

Revealing the Hidden Agenda of Satan by Chip Ingram 2012

Posted on March 27, 2012 by Chip Ingram (author note: from my Bible Study folder)

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What comes to mind when you think about the meaning of "diabolical?” 

By definition, diabolical means "anything that is extremely wicked, cruel and evil."

If we were thinking about it on a global scale, most of us would probably view diabolical in terms of genocide, murder, child abuse, or any of the horrible and pervasive tragedies that happen in the world. And most – if not all – of us would agree that Satan is involved in all of these evil acts.

But I'd like to challenge a common perception about what is – and what isn't –diabolical. Often we view demonic activity in terms of obvious evil or spiritual attack, so we're not always aware of is how subtle Satan's activity can be.

As Christians, it's important that we recognize that the enemy's main method of attack is not through the obvious, atrocious acts of evil. It is actually more sinister than this.

Satan's agenda comes packaged so deceptively that we may never know we're coming under demonic attack.

To shed some light on how the enemy works to destroy our lives, we first need to understand God's view of what's diabolical.

According to Proverbs 3, God considers evil to be arrogance and pride, as well as when people plot to harm others, oppress the poor, and stir up dissention. It also says that God hates all forms of evil. 

This means God detests even the deception that happens in the small areas of our hearts.

And here's why: God is opposed to anything that is contrary to Him and His agenda to give us an abundant life full of love, grace, forgiveness, healing and peace.

In contrast, Satan's agenda is to steal, kill and destroy. (John 10:10) The Bible describes Satan as our enemy who "prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Pet 5:8). Although he was defeated at the cross, the enemy still wreaks havoc on our lives by lying and deceiving, corrupting everything that is wholesome and good, and by bringing shame on our hearts.

He also loves to divide families and churches by creating disunity. In fact, one of the most subtle and lethal ways the devil attacks us is by dividing and conquering our relationships. He wants to ruin all of our relationships - with friends, spouses, small groups, parents, and kids. And he knows that the quickest and easiest way to do this is by getting us to divide over our differences.

So how do we recognize Satan's subtle schemes to divide us?

Learn how to recognize the danger of division when you find yourself moving from seeing others as merely "different" to forming an attitude of "I'm right and they're wrong."

Be sensitive to seasons when you're especially at risk for falling prey to the enemy's schemes, like times of rapid change and growth. As things change, grow and multiply, your unmet needs - either real or perceived - begin surface in your relationships. During this time, there's a greater tendency to see each other's differences as the cause and place blame. This is the start of division that can end relationships.

Instead of placing blame, choose to remember God's will and agenda for your life. You may need to apologize or recognize the need to "agree to disagree." Sometimes that even requires forgiveness in situations you may not understand. This takes power and strength, but be encouraged because "greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world." (1 John 4:4)

Keep Pressin' Ahead, Chip Ingram

Teaching Pastor, Living on the Edge

Chip Ingram was starting a new series called Diabolical: Satan's Agenda for Planet Earth. Learn how to recognize Satan's hidden agenda in your life, and how to apply Biblical principles that protect you from falling prey to his schemes and becoming part of a greater diabolical plan. He says it is his prayer that this series will heighten your awareness of the ongoing battle that rages around you and safeguard your soul with truth and tools the Lord.

[Author's note: I do not have any notes from the series. Since I saved this back in 2012 I don't remember saving any of the series.]

Blessings.......

The Benefits of Wisdom by Charles Stanley - 2002 In Touch Ministry

Wisdom is the capacity to see things from God’s perspective and respond according to scriptural principles. 

What are a few of the benefits to seeking the Lord’s wisdom? 

Let’s look at what the Bible says.

A. Clear Guidance From God

Those who walk in wisdom receive the Father’s direction for their lives. While God’s children still have some painful experiences, they are spared many mistakes and false starts. Biblical principles spare believers numerous wrong decisions and hurtful relationships.

Nobody is better qualified to guide your steps or lead you onto the right path than God.

• According to Proverbs 3:5-6, what attitude best facilitates the Lord’s direction in a person’s life?

• What benefits does Proverbs 3:21-26 promise to those who “keep sound wisdom and discretion” (v. 21)?

When we walk in divine wisdom, we can rest assured that the Lord is with us always. He won’t allow us to enter into any situation that He has not anticipated. Nor will He permit a circumstance unless He intends it for our good.

B.God's Divine Protection

Wisdom protects us from various sources of wickedness,including:

1. Evil in such forms as dangerous situations, harmful substances, and destructive circumstances. We are to reject evil and flee from it whenever possible.

• What attitude gets a "fool" (unwise person) into trouble, with regard to evil (Prov. 14:16)?

2. People who entice us to do evil: Any person who tempts you to sin is not a friend. He or she wants to lead you into a situation that will ultimately cause you loss or harm (Prov. 2:10-18).

• Why should we not be close friends with those who have ungodly lifestyles (Prov. 24:1-2; 1 Cor. 15:33)?

3. Misleading emotions: Many people live according to the whims of their emotions. But "what feels good"isn't always beneficial for us. Instead, we are called to trust the Holy Spirit for guidance rather than our desires, impulses, and feelings.

• Why should we not trust our hearts (Prov. 28:26)?

• Briefly describe a choice you made based on what "felt good" rather than what the Lord wanted you to do. What did you learn from that experience?

C. A Good Self-Image

You are extremely important to God. The Father loves you, values you, and desires a close relationship with you. He has a specific plan for your life. These facts should give you confidence and a strong self-image.

• Write down a few benefits of finding wisdom, according to Proverbs 8:32-35.

At the very core of our self-image is the desire to be loved and regarded as lovable. Only God can fully satisfy that need. When we accept that He loves us unconditionally, we have the foundation for healthy, godly self-esteem.

• Some believers feel God no longer loves them because of sin. Why is this rationale not biblical (Rom. 5:8)?

• What should our attitude be toward ourselves (Prov. 19:8; Matt. 22:39)?

A proper, healthy love for yourself leads to generosity and selfless giving. It also fills you with confidence to move against the tide of popular opinion when necessary. Why? God loves and approves of you, and His opinion is the only one that matters.

• Where are you in your journey to healthy self-esteem?

D. Whole-Person Prosperity

The heavenly Father blesses us—and that involves our spirits, minds, and bodies (3 John 2). Prosperity from God's perspective includes material goods as well as our relationships, health, and happiness, plus fruitfulness in His kingdom.

• Proverbs 8:17-21 talks about "enduring riches and righteousness"—in other words, eternal wealth, such as knowing the Lord. What phrases in this passage indicate that earthly prosperity is included?

• What characterizes God-given riches (Prov. 10:22)?

God provides for us who are His children—not simply for our own enjoyment, but also to enable our generosity to people in need.

• This week, how could you bless another person with your spiritual, physical, or material riches?

E. Good Health and a Long Life

No one can promise another person a long life or healing from a particular disease. But in general, godly living is characterized by healthier living and length of days.

• How does walking wisely affect your body (Prov. 3:7-8)?

Individuals who walk in wisdom utilize their time carefully because they view each day as valuable. They seek to use their gifts, talents, and other resources for God's glory and His purposes. They take care of their bodies by getting physical exercise, adequate sleep, nutritious food, and sufficient relaxation.

• In what way does the paragraph above not describe your life? What can you do this week to change that?

Closing: Wisdom saves us from many difficulties in this life. It equips us to handle difficult circumstances and positions us to receive eternal rewards. So discover and apply God's wisdom for every situation—you won't regret it.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word, which reveals how I am to live. Enable me to listen closely to Your voice, apply the principles of Scripture, and experience all the benefits of making wise choices. Amen.

Adapted from "Walking Wisely: Real Guidance for Life's Journey" (2002).

Blog author note: from my Bible Study folder collection

Blessings......