Giving Thanks
Temple Restoration Begun
Tools
Ezr 3:8 - Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem; and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the LORD.
Tools
Ezr 3:9 - Then stood Jeshua with his sons and his brethren, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, together, to set forward the workmen in the house of God: the sons of Henadad, with their sons and their brethren the Levites.
Tools
Ezr 3:10 - And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, after the ordinance of David king of Israel.
Tools
Ezr 3:11 - And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.
Tools
Ezr 3:12 - But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:
Gratitude - Grace - Giving
Gratitude
Feeling Rich is better than being rich.
Gratitude is the ultimate get rich quick scheme.
Saying Yes to Life (Providence)
Forces outside of us are doing things for us that we cannot do for ourselves.
The opposite leads to pride.
Happiness vs Joy
Consensus shows that Happiness tends to be more external in nature. What's happening in someone's life. Happiness is momentary. You may be happy today and not tomorrow.
Joy can be felt during unhappy circumstances. Example: Seeing relatives at a funeral, celebrating the life of a loved one.
Finding a redemptive twist on something bad.
It's like God's Grace has been Hi-Jacked
You shouldn't read the Bible as a self-help book to lead you to clean living.
People go about trying to fix everything about themselves and about others. It is not about how much we love god but how much God loves us. It's not about us at all.
The Bible is about what Jesus has done for us.
By Grace alone, by Christ alone
• Look for the good – that’s joy;
• Receive the good – that’s grace; and
• Give back the good – that’s love.
Developing Gratitude
Quantifiable data - 15 years of research.
Gratitude Journal - less depressed get out of the negative transformation in physical health. Less likely to engage in health damaging behaviors.
Quotes about Gratitude
Bible Verses about Giving Thanks
Providence
Providence is not a word in the English Bible. In that sense, it is like the words Bible, biblical, Trinity, discipleship, evangelism, exposition, counseling, ethics, politics, charismatics.
It is God’s seeing to everything. Absolutely everything that needs to be done to bring about his purposes, God sees to it that it happens. Isaiah 46:10: “[I declare] the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.’” In other words, “I will see to it.” See to it — pro-vide. “I will provide. I will see to it that everything works together for the goals that I have for the world.”
From His Fatherly Hand
Let me close with one example from history that I think is so beautiful. This is Question 27 of the Heidelberg Catechism. The date on that is 1563.
Question: What do you understand by the providence of God?
Answer: The almighty, everywhere present power of God, whereby, as it were, by his hand, he still upholds heaven and earth with all creatures and so governs them that herbs and grass, rain and drought, fruitful and barren years, meat and drink, health and sickness, riches and poverty, indeed, all things come not by chance, but by his fatherly hand.
That’s a good summary of God’s providence: wise and purposeful sovereignty.
The Real History of Thanksgiving
More Bible Verses about Giving Thanks
