Newspaper Archives @ Victory

Hope for living
Calvin Hensley

November 29 2008

It’s Thanksgiving time once again! What a wonderful time of year. All of the good food, good times with family and friends, and good reflections make this a special time of year. However, all too often we have become ungrateful, overall, for the many many blessings in our lives. We have also forgotten the source of these blessings. We are sadly mistaken if we think we are where we are by our own merits or deeds. With this in mind, I would like to consider what true thanksgiving is, and how it ought to be an everyday part of our lives.

First, We should be Thankful in our Song. The Bible states in Psalm 147:7, “Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God.” There are times in our lives when the temptations and troubles of life can steal our joy and stifle our song. When these times come, and when life seems hopeless, it is very easy for our thankfulness to be turned into sorrow. However, regardless of the situations that may come in our lives, there are always many reasons to be able to sing unto the Lord. Therefore, we should lift our voices with thanksgiving, singing praises unto the Lord for his wonderful grace and mercy upon our lives.

Second, We should be Thankful in our Service. Psalm 26:7 gives insight to this thought: “That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.” Psalm 50:14 gives further insight. “Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High.” If we are truly thankful for the many blessings of God upon our lives, we will do more than have a thankful voice. We will show our thanksgiving by our service. I truly believe when our hearts are thankful, our thankfulness will be revealed by our works. I do not serve God for what I will get or what I think I deserve. I serve him because of what he has done for me. I want to show my gratitude through my actions. More times than not, our thankfulness is shown by our willingness to be faithful in service. Not so much for future expectation, but more so for the past blessings which have been so freely given.

Lastly, We should be Thankful by our Sacrifice. Psalm 116:17 states: “I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.” It is easy to offer thanksgiving through song and it is not very difficult to offer thanksgiving through service; However, to be thankful in sacrifice is a far greater commitment. The words “offer a sacrifice” bears the meaning of becoming a victim or performing a great act. In other words, if we are truly thankful, we will be willing to sacrifice of ourselves to the service of the Lord doing those things which bring glory and honor unto the Lord Jesus Christ. By this act, we are humbling ourselves unto his will and submitting our lives to his total authority. Therefore, whatever may come our way, whatever life may hold for us, we can still be thankful, knowing that God has allowed it and in doing so, he has a purpose in mind. Therefore, we as his children can rejoice and be thankful knowing that our sacrifice has once again produc

So, at this time of year, as well as every day of our lives, let’s be thankful in song, in service and through sacrifice knowing that what happens in our lives is for our good and for the glory of God. If for no other reason, we should be thankful just to be considered by God to be used as a vessel in his service. II Corinthians 4:15 puts it so well! “For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.”

I am thankful to know that in my service and through my suffering, he receives glory.

How can we help from being thankful each and every day of our lives.


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Home About Us Ministries Sermons Keyboard Events News Forum Odds N Ends KJV Bible VIBC Photo's	Remember source of blessings during holidays Hope for living Calvin Hensley November 29 2008 It’s Thanksgiving time once again! What a wonderful time of year. All of the good food, good times with family and friends, and good reflections make this a special time of year. However, all too often we have become ungrateful, overall, for the many many blessings in our lives. We have also forgotten the source of these blessings. We are sadly mistaken if we think we are where we are by our own merits or deeds. With this in mind, I would like to consider what true thanksgiving is, and how it ought to be an everyday part of our lives. First, We should be Thankful in our Song. The Bible states in Psalm 147:7, “Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God.” There are times in our lives when the temptations and troubles of life can steal our joy and stifle our song. When these times come, and when life seems hopeless, it is very easy for our thankfulness to be turned into sorrow. However, regardless of the situations that may come in our lives, there are always many reasons to be able to sing unto the Lord. Therefore, we should lift our voices with thanksgiving, singing praises unto the Lord for his wonderful grace and mercy upon our lives. Second, We should be Thankful in our Service. Psalm 26:7 gives insight to this thought: “That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.” Psalm 50:14 gives further insight. “Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High.” If we are truly thankful for the many blessings of God upon our lives, we will do more than have a thankful voice. We will show our thanksgiving by our service. I truly believe when our hearts are thankful, our thankfulness will be revealed by our works. I do not serve God for what I will get or what I think I deserve. I serve him because of what he has done for me. I want to show my gratitude through my actions. More times than not, our thankfulness is shown by our willingness to be faithful in service. Not so much for future expectation, but more so for the past blessings which have been so freely given. Lastly, We should be Thankful by our Sacrifice. Psalm 116:17 states: “I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.” It is easy to offer thanksgiving through song and it is not very difficult to offer thanksgiving through service; However, to be thankful in sacrifice is a far greater commitment. The words “offer a sacrifice” bears the meaning of becoming a victim or performing a great act. In other words, if we are truly thankful, we will be willing to sacrifice of ourselves to the service of the Lord doing those things which bring glory and honor unto the Lord Jesus Christ. By this act, we are humbling ourselves unto his will and submitting our lives to his total authority. Therefore, whatever may come our way, whatever life may hold for us, we can still be thankful, knowing that God has allowed it and in doing so, he has a purpose in mind. Therefore, we as his children can rejoice and be thankful knowing that our sacrifice has once again produc So, at this time of year, as well as every day of our lives, let’s be thankful in song, in service and through sacrifice knowing that what happens in our lives is for our good and for the glory of God. If for no other reason, we should be thankful just to be considered by God to be used as a vessel in his service. II Corinthians 4:15 puts it so well! “For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.” I am thankful to know that in my service and through my suffering, he receives glory. How can we help from being thankful each and every day of our lives. Archives
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