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Subject: Thanks Giving Author: Hillbilly [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] Date Posted: 20:03:51 12/06/12 Thu THANKS GIVING 1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Possibly the hardest verse in the Bible to come to personal agreement with is 1 Thessalonians 5:18. It, at least for me, ranks above Romans 8:28 which tells us "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." We read these verses and we think: "Get real!" How can we give thanks when personal tradgedy strikes and we are brought low? We think; "How can losing my job and not being able to pay my bills and feed the family work to my good?" How can I honestly give thanks when I certainly am not thankful? If we look at the verse in 1 Thess. we see "In every thing give thanks" and we don't see the possiblility of giving thanks in our particular situation. You have been diagnosed with cancer and some well meaning Christian says "In every thing give thanks" and our first inclination is to think; "Easy for you to say, you are not the one with cancer." (I'm being charitable. Your first inclination is probably to smack their mouth) Do you know that God is not telling you to be thankful for cancer. No He is not telling you that. What He is telling you and everyone who is having a bad time or tradgedy is what ever your situation give thanks to God. Not for the situation but because He is worthy of our thanks and praise no matter what is coming our way. God is still God and don't blame Him for your misfortune. God will not keep us from trouble no more than He protected His son Jesus from all He suffered in His ministry on earth. Jesus never failed to thank His heavenly Father no matter what He was going through. I don't read where Jesus ever said "Thank You" for being spit on, beat, harassed, mocked or generally persecuted. Jesus dreaded the cross and even prayed to be spared the cross (Matt. 26:39) but He still went through with His mission. He never said thank you for those things but He never failed to thank God in His situation. On a more personal level I have Fuchs Dystrophy which has greatly diminished my eyesight. Do I thank God for it. No, but I still thank God although I don't see well. My wife has several illnesses that are very dibilitating. Does she or I thank God for her diseases. Of course not but Dale is quick to thank God for His blessings and His goodness and provision for us. She has been sick for 16 years and still praises God for His wondrous mercy and benefits to us. Robert is a paraplegic and has been confined to a wheel chair since the early 70's. You would be hard pressed to find a more upbeat person than Robert. He is quick to testify of God's goodness and mercy. Does he thank God for his condition? Absolutely not but he thanks God in his condition. Job showed us how to handle a bad situation when he said " Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD". (Job 1:21) You know, I really think it would be silly to try to thank God the next time you back into someone's vehicle and cause several thousand dollars of damage. It you looked up to heaven and said thank you. God would know you were lying and God really doesn't care for liars. [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

[> Subject: Hillbilly Author: Connie [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 12:42:37 12/08/12 Sat Glad you posted this. It took me a long time to recognize that we are to give thanks to God and that prayer without thanksgiving is not usually effective. Same thing as a person forgiving another first before forgiveness is effective in their own life.

[> [> Subject: You make a good point as to forgiving others Author: Hillbilly [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 17:16:23 12/08/12 Sat As a Christian God expects us to be as willing to forgive others as He is willing to forgive us of our transgressions.

[> Subject: I have grown more thankful in my old age Author: dori [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 21:24:44 12/08/12 Sat I was always asking God to help me in my time of need and always quick to thank him for those things he saw fit to turn my way, but it took many years for me to realize I needed to thank him BEFORE I asked him for help. I needed to thank him every day for all things good in my life and even for the bad things that have helped me grow spiritually. I thank him for helping me to see that--and I thank you, too, my Christian friends who post here. God has blessed me to have you in my life.

[> [> Subject: The older we get Author: Hillbilly [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 13:34:04 12/09/12 Sun the more we have to thank Him for. Not to mention the "finish line" starts getting more clear and real to us.

[> [> [> Subject: Hillbilly/Dori Author: Connie [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 15:39:51 12/09/12 Sun You young sprouts don't know what old age is.....giggle!

[> [> [> [> Subject: I do too! Author: Hillbilly [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 20:32:27 12/09/12 Sun I found out just a few months ago when I was going to show the twins I could still do a cartwheel. Enough said!!!!!!

[> [> Subject: Ouch!!! Author: dori [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 23:39:21 12/09/12 Sun Inquiring minds want to know....Were you able to finish it???

[> [> [> Subject: Inquiring minds ro nosy minds? :-) Author: Hillbilly [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 07:20:25 12/10/12 Mon Let's just say the cartwheel had a blowout about half way through the first revolution.

[> [> [> Subject: Hillbilly Author: Connie [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 12:52:40 12/10/12 Mon Nothing like experience to learn a lesson.