1. THANKSGIVING: Giving thanks in all circumstances 1 Thessalonians 5:12-23. ….Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 19 Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. 20 Do not scoff at prophecies, 21 but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. 22 Stay away from every kind of evil….

2. THANKSGIVING: Giving thanks in all circumstances Loving respect for faithful leaders Peace among the members Honest and gracious counsel that fits the situation wisely: o Admonishing the one who is lazy o Encouraging the one who’s heart is faint o Reaching out to strengthen the weak o Patience for them all (even admonishment to a lazy person, while firm, isn’t to be impatient but loving and patient) Not a spirit of retribution, but of doing good to one another Infectious joy Constant prayer Openness to the move of the Spirit Embracing of prophesy after testing it biblically Mature discernment: testing everything and holding fast to what is good and avoiding what is evil.

3. THANKSGIVING: Giving thanks in all circumstances Henry Blackaby: ‘When someone asks why God isn’t working in their life; they are asking the wrong question. The question is why am I not seeing where God is working in my life?’

4. THANKSGIVING: Giving thanks in all circumstances ‘Grumbling is the accent of hell and gratitude the accent of heaven.’ Richard Bloom

5. THANKSGIVING: Giving thanks in all circumstances Perspective What do you see? What fills your life? What questions occupy you? What do you choose?

6. THANKSGIVING: Giving thanks in all circumstances Perspective

7. THANKSGIVING: Giving thanks in all circumstances Perspective

8. THANKSGIVING: Giving thanks in all circumstances Perspective

9. THANKSGIVING: Giving thanks in all circumstances Perspective

10. THANKSGIVING: Giving thanks in all circumstances Perspective

11. THANKSGIVING: Giving thanks in all circumstances Perspective

12. THANKSGIVING: Giving thanks in all circumstances Eucharisteo: The root word of eucharisteo is charis, meaning “grace.” Jesus took the bread and saw it as grace and gave thanks. He took the bread and knew it to be a gift and gave thanks. Eucharisteo, thanksgiving, envelopes the Greek word for grace, charis. But it also holds its derivative, the Greek word chara, meaning “joy.” Charis. Grace. Eucharisteo. Thanksgiving. Chara. Joy. (Ann Voskamp) He took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19)

13. THANKSGIVING: Giving thanks in all circumstances Eucharisteo: Jesus’s eucharisteo was fuelled by his belief in future grace. Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith…for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)

14. THANKSGIVING: Giving thanks in all circumstances Eucharisteo: What is your future joy? What does it mean?: *You will have the free gift of complete forgiveness of all your sins extending into forever (Romans 6:23). *You will never have to merit your justification by keeping the law (Galatians 2:16). *You will have all your real needs provided while on earth (Philippians 4:19). *You will receive all the grace you need at all times so that you will abound in every good work God has for you (2 Corinthians 9:8). *God will complete the good work he began in you (Philippians 1:6).

15. THANKSGIVING: Giving thanks in all circumstances Eucharisteo: What is your future joy? What does it mean?: *You will be raised from the dead and never, ever die again (1 Corinthians 15:52–53). *That means someday soon you will see Jesus, be with him (2 Corinthians 5:8), and be like him (1 John 3:2). *In that day you will know for the first time full, unpolluted joy (Psalm 16:11). *You will be completely free from all corruption (Romans 8:21). *You will have God forever (1 Peter 3:18) as your exceeding joy (Psalm 43:4).