It’s Not About The Turkey
Head Of The Table
Developing A Spirit Of Thanksgiving
2 And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. 3 So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord. —Deuteronomy 8:2-3 (NKJV)
13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. —James 1:13 (NKJV)
11 Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments, 12 lest—when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; 13 and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; 14 when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, 17 then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’ 18 And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. —Deuteronomy 8:11-18 (NKJV)
The Story Of Nebuchadnezzar
30 The king spoke, saying, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?” 31 While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice fell from heaven: “King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you!” —Daniel 4:30-31 NKJV
Parallel Lessons From Deuteronomy 8 and King Nebuchadnezzar
Acknowledge God’s
Avoid
Always Remain
Admit My
All
Potential Outcomes Of National Ingratitude
Spiritual
27 Idle hands are the devil’s workshop; idle lips are his mouthpiece. —Proverbs 16:27 (LB)
Lack of
Social
49 Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. 50 And they were haughty and committed abomination before Me; therefore I took them away as I saw fit. —Ezekiel 16:49-50 (NKJV)
Conclusion
26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. —1 Corinthians 12:26-27 (NKJV)8 Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. 9 You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation. —Malachi 3:8-9 (NKJV)
My Next Steps:
- Read Deuteronomy 8 and reflect on my personal responsibility for the national implications on ingratitude (and while you’re at it, read Daniel 4 also).
- Thank God for every blessing and favor this week.
- Thank God after each meal (Deuteronomy 8:10).
- Say “Thank You” each time anyone does something for you.
My November Gratitude Challenges:
- Thankful Jar OR Thankful Journal
- Write down each time you are thankful during the day and place it in the jar.
- At the end of month read the notes in the jar.
- Be Generous, bring can goods to church each week to give away and make the commitment to tithe and experience the importance of giving back to God.
- Don’t Complain… about anything; instead give thanks.
- Give God thanks at bedtime.
My Upcoming Events:
Click Here To See What’s Up at The Harvest
Rebirth Experience – November 26.
Let’s Stay Together Couples Rebirth Experience – November 26 (Husbands baptized Wives) .
Next Week’s Message: Season To Perfection (Please Make Reservations)