November 24, 2024

THANKSGIVING: JUST BE HAPPY

November 24, 2024

Pastor Jonathan Falwell and Scott Bullman

“Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, Rejoice!” It is impossible to ‘rejoice’ unless there is joy in our heart. Giving thanks to God is necessary for our spiritual health just as healthy food is to our bodies. We could never list all the reasons there are to praise and thank God for all He has done. Are you going through a wonderful time in your life? Then you have a myriad of things you can be thankful for. Are you going through a time so tough you feel you may not make it to the other side? You can start praying the prayers of gratefulness and thanksgiving that He is with you through the storm, He will never leave you, He will protect you—and keep listing the praises until the storm passes over. You need to know only this: “Give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thes. 5:18). That is reason enough to start praising Him today—it is His Will.

Focal Passage: Philippians 4:4-9.

Things are not nearly as bad as you think:

  • Read Phil. 4:4. Why is it so important to rejoice? What does the word “rejoice” mean to you? When will you have joy in your life? What is in your life that gives you reasons to rejoice?
  • In the worst trials in your life, what are some verses from Scripture that give you reason to focus on God and not on the tribulation? Read Jer. 32:27. Is this true of the God who has saved you? What can cause our faith to suffer and steal our joy? What is in your life that is too big for God to handle?
  • Why would God desire to bring you (personally) through the storms of your life? What do you have to do for God to be so active in your life that He quiets those feelings of being drowned?

Trust Him with the difficult moments:

  • Read Phil. 4:5-6. What word would we normally use rather than ‘graciousness,’ or ‘gentleness’? Please paraphrase verse 5 in our vernacular.
  • What does the next phrase (6a) say? Why do we worry? Do we love to worry? Do you think it is possible that we doubt our __________(finances, children, health, strength, whatever) is as important to God as it/he is to us? How can we overcome worry? Can we worry and give thanks at the same time? What are we NOT to worry about?
  • Read verse 6b-6d again. What are we to do with our ‘requests’? Why do you think God has used the word “request” here? What should we do rather than worry?
  • If you’re in a time of testing, does God know what you’re going through? Will He ever let us go? What are some possible reasons that we think God may not help us? Who is behind any of those emotions? Does God tell us to be thankful FOR every trial? What is the difference between ‘in everything,’ and ‘for everything’?

Trust Him for the wonderful results:

  • Read verses 7-9. How does God guard our hearts and minds? What does He guard our heart or mind with? Why do we know that He will bring our storms to pass?
  • What are we to focus our thought life on? Have you figured a way to commit these to memory (vs. 8)? How does a modern translation list these words?
  • In verse 9, Paul says the things we have learned from him are to be followed; how can he say this? What will God do if we are glorifying Him?

Close:  

Do you ever have a time of personal Thanksgiving—perhaps at night when you’ve gone to bed and want your last thoughts to be on Him, or before you rise in the morning, or perhaps during your darkest hour?

“Give thanks—for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you; give thanks for He is good; give thanks  for His indescribable gift; give thanks for all the joy with which we rejoice; give thanks for His mercy endures forever; give thanks for the upright shall dwell in Your presence; give thanks for He qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; give thanks and praise Him; give thanks and call upon His name; give thanks and make known His wondrous deeds among the people; give thanks at the memory of His holy name; give thanks because of His righteous judgments. [Give thanks to Him:] He gives the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ; He always leads us in triumph in Christ. Your wondrous works declare Your name is near.”

These are scripture verses. This is how concerned God is that you recognize you are His child, and you are grateful for His protection, kindness, love, peace, eternal life and so much more. Praise Him today. Worry about nothing—pray about everything!

By Sandy Day
November 24, 2024

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