Category Archives: Thanksgiving

Bible, Gratitude, Jesus, Romans, Scripture, Thanksgiving

THANKS

ROMANS 7:25

“Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.”

Coming to the end of a long fought battle would cause anyone to exclaim, “Thank God that’s over.” Have you ever been there? I can recall a few times like that in my life. Some of those battles were physical and others were emotional while still others were spiritual. Each time the end came I was thankful for having survived and in some cases thrived. I wish I could say I always gave God thanks, but that would not be true. I think I could learn a thing or two from Pauls’ verse today.

In the conclusive verse of this long passage we just looked at (verses 14-25), Paul gives God thanks for it all. Barnes sums it up this way, “There is a way of rescue, and I trace it altogether to his mercy in the Lord Jesus Christ. What conscience could not do, what the Law could not do, what unaided human strength could not do, has been accomplished by the plan of the gospel; and complete deliverance can be expected there, and there alone. This is the point to which all his reasoning had tended;” What can you add to that?

APPLICATION

I want to encourage you today to do exactly what Paul has done. Through all the struggles he has expressed in these verses, he gives God thanks. But look carefully. He says, “through Jesus Christ our Lord.” That is where all praise belongs. Jesus is the One Who gets us through every battle we face. It does not matter if it’s spiritual (like the one Paul has been describing between the flesh and the spirit) or physical. Jesus deserves all the praise.

The word used by Paul for “thanks” is the Greek word charis. It’s the same word that is translated as “grace.” Isn’t it because of God’s grace that we can give thanks? Paul knew that. It was grace that he experienced all those years previously on the Damascus road? The Lord Jesus chose to show Paul grace when He stopped him cold on that road and struck him blind so that He could open his eyes.

Take a minute right now to give God thanks for all He has done for you. Name them. Lift your hands in praise. Sing a song of praise to Him. Thank Him for His grace in your life. Thank Him for your health. Thank Him for the promise of eternal life with Him in glory. Thank Him for… Aren’t your grateful? I know I sure am.

Thank You, thank You, thank You! I give You praise for delivering me from the bondage of sin.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

Standard
Appreciation, Bible, Grace, Scripture, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving

THANK GOD FOR YOU

ROMANS 1:8

“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the world.”

“God is great, God is good, let us thank Him for our food. By His hands we all are fed. Thank You, Lord, for daily bread. Amen.” How many times did you say that blessing at the table as a child? I know I said it a lot. My mama’s cooking was awesome, and I was thankful. Looking back, though, I was not grateful enough. I was truly blessed by the Lord. My childhood wasn’t perfect, but I was safe, loved and cared for. What else did I need? I’m truly thankful.

Paul thanks the Lord for his fellow believers in today’s verse. The Greek word he uses is euxaristéō. HELPS Word studies defines euxaristéō this way. “(from eú, ‘good’ and xaris, ‘grace’) – properly, acknowledging that ‘God’s grace works well,’ i.e. for our eternal gain and His glory; to give thanks – literally, ‘thankful for God’s good grace.’” It truly is God’s grace that should make us thankful for all things, not just mealtime.

APPLICATION

In Mark 14:23 we see euxaristéō used again, this time to describe the Lord’s giving of thanks at the Last Supper. “And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, and they all drank from it.” Jesus truly knew to Whom all thanks should be directed. God is our source. He is the One Who blesses us and meets our every need.

I am raising support currently for a trip to the Dominican Republic to lead a conference for our ministry, Every Man A Warrior. I have asked several of my friends to pray about giving towards this. Even as I ask, though, I am aware that God is the provider. He is the One Who burdens their hearts to give or not. It is not up to me to raise support. My job is to make the need known and leave the rest up to Him.

Giving thanks is truly a spiritual thing. Don’t wait until Thanksgiving to do it. Do it daily. Part of my daily prayer time includes thanksgiving and praise. I want to acknowledge daily the sufficiency I have in Christ. He is the reason I give thanks. Without Christ living in and through me, I would be hopeless and helpless. But praise be to God, He is with me. And He will be with you, too.

Lord, I give You thanks for all You have done for me. I do not want to ever take that for granted.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

Standard
Bible, Family, Prayer, Scripture, Thanksgiving

GIVE THANKS FOR ALL

EPHESIANS 5:20

“always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to our God and Father;”

Here in the U.S., we are coming into the season of the year when we give thanks for our blessings. We even have a holiday called Thanksgiving Day when families and friends gather together for a huge feast. We don’t just stuff the turkey. We stuff ourselves, lol. You may go around your table and give thanks for each one sitting there. You may ask each person to share one thing for which they are grateful. We are thankful for a lot of things.

Paul is really continuing the thought from the previous few verses. Many scholars think the thought here is not about “things” but rather people. That seems to flow from the context. The Liturgy of the Episcopal church says, “We, thine unworthy servants, do give thee most humble and hearty thanks for thy goodness and loving-kindness to us, and to all men.” 1 Timothy 2:1 expresses a similar thought. “First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made in behalf of all people,”

APPLICATION

So, instead of asking what are you thankful for, ask who are you thankful for. That’s easy for me. I am thankful for my family – for my wife, children, grandchildren, siblings, in-laws, uncles, aunts and cousins. I am thankful for men who have poured into me and friends who hold me accountable and encourage me in my walk.

Here’s a great verse for you on thanks. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” If you have ever struggled knowing God’s will for your life, here’s the answer. Just give thanks. That pleases Him. In fact, He wills it.

I love how Paul tells the Philippians how thankful he is for them. In Philippians 1:3-4 he says, “3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all,” Paul not only gives thanks for them, but he also prays for them. We all need to practice that daily. Will you join me? Think of some people right now for whom you are thankful and gives thanks and lift them in prayer.

Father, today I am thankful for my wife. Will you fill her day with joy?

Standard
Bible, Defiled, Foolishness, Jesting, Praise, Scripture, Thanksgiving

CHOOSE YOUR MESSAGE WISELY

EPHESIANS 5:4

“and there must be no filthiness or foolish talk, or vulgar joking, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.”

I have to admit that before I came to Christ, my language was a little salty. I didn’t talk filthy, but I did use curse words more than I should have. And I heard and told my fair share of dirty jokes in the locker room. It’s amazing how Jesus can clean up your language once you give your tongue to Him.

Paul uses three words in this verse that are not found elsewhere in the New Testament. “Filthiness” is aischrote which means obscene, or indecent conversation, literally, that which is shameful, or deformed. “Foolish talk” is mōrologia which refers to idle chitchat, words that serve no purpose. And finally, “vulgar joking” is the word eutrapelia which mean coarse jesting. I think it is interesting that Paul uses these particular words which are only used once in the New Testament. What does that mean to you?

APPLICATION

Paul then turns his attention to proper speech, a proper message. He says, “but rather giving of thanks.” What a contrast! Instead of filthy, foolish or vulgar talk, we are to give thanks. Sure, Carl! Are you saying that all we are to talk about is what we are thankful for? In a way, yes. Do I do that all the time? No, but I should.

The next time you are tempted to say something you shouldn’t about someone, pause and give thanks to God for that person. I believe God puts hard people in our paths to perfect us. If we never had challenges, how would we grow? Now, I am not saying that I do this perfectly. In fact, I miserably fail at this. There are people in my life that challenge me. But as my wife said to me last night, I need to give them to the Lord.

We need to spend a lot more time sending out that message of gratitude. We have so much to be thankful for, even when our circumstances are trying. God is faithful. He knows exactly what you are going through. Give Him praise! Thank Him! Tell others you are thankful. Their response to your praise may surprise you.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Standard
Abiding, Accountability, Bible, Blessing, Consequences, Dependence, God's Will, Obedience, Scripture, Thanksgiving

WITHHOLDINGS

HAGGAI 1:10

“‘Therefore, because of you the sky has withheld its dew, and the earth has withheld its produce.’”

It’s that time of year again in the U.S. – tax time. Every year about this time, people are preparing to file their federal income tax returns. Most people have tax withheld from their salary during the year to hopefully not have to pay any additional tax. A little at a time is not so painful, but when you have to write that big check on a quarterly basis or at the end of the year, that “withholding” hurts.

The people of Israel were experiencing a different kind of withholding. There was no dew or rain which meant there was no produce, no harvest. God was withholding this from them because of their rebellion and disobedience. It was all to get their attention, to get them to repent and return to Him. When God withholds anything from us, it is for a reason. He always has a purpose behind His actions.

APPLICATION

Have you felt like God was withholding something from you? Many of us have felt that way. Maybe you think He is withholding answered prayers. Maybe you have asked for physical healing, but it has not come. Maybe you have prayed for a husband or a wife, but you are still single. Stop right there. Ask the Lord why He is withholding that thing from you. I guarantee He has a reason.

You see, if we are living according to His will, God does not withhold His blessings to punish us. Psalm 40:11 tells us, “You, LORD, will not withhold Your compassion from me; Your mercy and Your truth will continually watch over me.” God is not in the withholding business (unlike the U.S. Treasury). God wants to give to us.

I have to admit there have been times when I was disappointed that God withheld something from me. But looking back, I realized He knew exactly what I needed. I saw it as a bad thing, but He knew what was best for me. Look back at your own life and see how He has done the same for you.

Lord, Your way is always the best way. Thank You for withholding what is not good for me.

Standard
Bible, Boasting, Conceit, Glory, Scripture, Thanksgiving

HIS GLORY SHOWS 

HABAKKUK 2:14

“‘For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.’”

When you read “the glory of the LORD,” what do you think about? I picture the baby Jesus lying in a manger surrounded by the shepherds. I envision Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. I can almost see the empty tomb.

When the Chaldeans are judged by God, everyone will see His glory. There will no mistaken what happened. This was God’s action against a pagan nation for thinking they deserved any glory. They had simply been used by the Lord as His instrument for a season. There was no reason to gloat.

APPLICATION

We have the privilege to reflect God’s glory to the world. When He blesses us, we need to point heavenward and give Him all the praise. When He chooses to heal us when we are sick, all the glory goes to Him.

And when things are going bad and you can’t see a way out, we still give Him the glory. God deserves our glory in good times and bad. There is not a day that goes by that we cannot find at least one reason to reflect His glory.

Of course, we are tempted to take credit, like the Chaldeans. Our flesh loves being praised. Don’t fall into that trap! Keep your focus on Jesus. He deserves all our praise every day. Will you give Him praise today? If you have selfishly taken credit for His work in your life, repent of that now. Give Him all glory.

Lord, help me keep my focus on You and not my flesh. You are worthy of all my praise.

Standard
Affliction, Blessing, Exalting, Praise, Thanksgiving

VOICE OF THANKSGIVING

JONAH 2:9

“‘But I will sacrifice to You with a voice of thanksgiving. That which I have vowed I will pay. Salvation is from the LORD.’”

I love Thanksgiving. This U.S. holiday in November each year celebrates the Pilgrims’ settlement in the New World. They lifted their voices in praise and thanksgiving to God for sustaining them during their first year. It was a tough year, with many lost lives and food shortages. Coming out of that season, they were indeed grateful.

Jonah (still in the belly of the fish) gives thanksgiving to the Lord. He recognized his “salvation is from the LORD.” He did not know, at this time, whether he would escape his fish prison or not. Regardless, he was giving praise. And God heard it.

APPLICATION

What are you thankful for today? Family? Health? I thank God every day for six things. I thank Him for family, friends, my ministry and my health, my country and my church. I don’t just say those flippantly. I truly am thankful for each of those.

When you have a grateful heart, I believe you are more at peace with the world. You see things differently. You get a more spiritual vision of things. Thankfulness is expressed in our worship of our Lord, and that can be done anywhere. You don’t have to wait until you are in church on Sunday.

I am so thankful for all the blessings God has given me and my family. But I am also thankful for the trials God has allowed us to go through. I may not be in the belly of a fish, but I have probably felt just as low as Jonah. Through those times, just like Jonah, God drew me to Himself.

Thank You, Lord, for holding me close, even when I am pushing You away.

Standard
Accountability, Advice, Bible, Contentment, Direction, Encouragement, Exalting, Glory, God's Will, Inspirational, Life, Modeling, Passion, Praise, Scripture, Thanksgiving

NO TIME TO PARTY

HOSEA 9:1

“Do not rejoice, Israel, with jubilation like the nations! For you have been unfaithful, abandoning your God. You have loved the earnings of unfaithfulness on every threshing floor.”

There is a time to party and a time not to party. All through my life I have experienced moments when celebrating was appropriate like after a huge victory on the football field or the birth of one of my children. But there were other times when celebrating wasn’t right like the death of a loved one or hurting someone’s feelings. You get the picture. You have to know when to party and when not to party.

Israel had everything backwards. They were celebrating the wrong things. They had embraced all the wrong festivals and religious celebrations, which meant they were worshipping the wrong thing. Those gods were no gods. There is only one God, Jehovah. But when the celebrations look inviting, you get pulled in a direction that can cost you dearly. It did Israel.

APPLICATION

Let me ask you what you are celebrating today. Now there is nothing wrong with a party. I can party with the best of them. I love a good party. We need to celebrate but only those things that bring glory to God. You see, our purpose as believers is to bring Him glory, not ourselves.

This time of the year here in the States, we are celebrating a lot of high school and college graduations. In fact, I was at a celebration last night. Nothing wrong with that. But let’s make sure in the celebration that we give Him all the credit. He is the one we need to celebrate. Last night we did that. We pointed people to Jesus and His Word.

Hey, I have an idea. Instead of waiting until Christmas, why don’t you have a Jesus celebration this week. Invite some friends over and have a party for Jesus. Celebrate what He’s done in your lives. Thank Him for saving you. Praise Him for His promises. Now, that’s a party.

Father, I praise You for rescuing me from the pit of darkness. I thank You for who You are in my life. I celebrate You today.

Standard
Blameless, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Comfort, Contentment, Devil, Encouragement, Forgiveness, Joy, Mentoring, Parenting, Satan, Thanksgiving

AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD

1 PETER 3:22

“who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him.”

Do you realize how comforting it is to know Jesus, our Savior, is sitting at the right of the Father right now? Do you know what that means? Adam Clarke says this is “the place of the highest dignity, honor and influence.” He has the Father’s ear. God the Father is listening to God the Son.

And what is that conversation like? Jesus is appealing to the Father on our behalf. Every time the devil accuses us (believers) of something, Jesus speaks up and says, “That is paid for, Father. My blood took care of that.” He is our Advocate. He is constantly defending us.

APPLICATION

Ask your children if they have ever spoken up for someone in their defense. You know, perhaps a friend is falsely accused at school of something and the teacher starts to come down hard on that person. Would your child speak up to defend them? How about if THEY were falsely accused of something and facing serious consequences. Wouldn’t they want someone to speak up for them?

Well, someone already has. Jesus has paid the price for all our sins. Once we accept Jesus as our Savior, there is NOTHING the devil can accuse us of. We are forgiven. We are free. We are secure in Jesus. That is worth sharing with everyone.

Are you celebrating your security in Jesus today? Take a minute and thank Him for interceding on your behalf today. Thank Him for speaking up against the devil when he mentions your name. Thank Him for setting you free from the guilt and punishment of your sins.

O Father, Your Son is whispering my name to You today. I know He is. I am so thankful He and You both know my name.

Standard
Bible, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Comfort, Confession, Direction, Encouragement, Faith, Following, Forgiveness, God's Will, Inspirational, Mentoring, Obedience, Parenting, Prayer, Repentance, Salvation, Scripture, Surrender, Testimony, Thanksgiving

RIGHTEOUS PRAYERS

1 PETER 3:12

“’FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE TOWARD THE RIGHTEOUS, AND HIS EARS ATTEND TO THEIR PRAYER, BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO DO EVIL.’”

There has never been a more misunderstood truth. So many people believe that whomever prays to God will have their prayers answered. That simply isn’t true. Now, hear me out. God will always respond to the prayer of anyone who is repenting and coming to surrender to Him. But if that same lost person is begging God for relief without surrendering to Him…well…today’s verse answers that question.

God longs to answer our prayers. He wants to work in our lives. But we must come to Him with repentant hearts. We must acknowledge our need for a Savior. He is not going to look on our sin and just look past them. He demands and deserves our allegiance in order for Him to work as He desires in our lives. This may sound harsh, but it is meant to drive us all to our knees.

APPLICATION

Teaching our kids this truth is so important. We want them to understand how to pray. I use the acrostic A-C-T-S to pray. A stands for Adoration. I praise Him for who He is and acknowledge His supremacy in my life. C stands for confession. I confess my sins each time I pray. I long to be sinless, but I haven’t arrived yet. T stands for thanksgiving. I thank Him for His blessings in my life. And S stands for supplication. Here is where I come to him on behalf of loved ones and myself, asking for His will to be done.

If our children will learn to pray this way, they will not go wrong. Our children need to understand that our righteousness depends on the blood of Christ, which we claim every time we confess our sins to Him. We, the righteous in Christ, have an open portal to the very throne of God.

Are you praying as a righteous child of God? Or do you pray because you are doing good deeds? Righteousness is not yours to earn. It is given freely through Christ to those who call Him Savior. And because we are righteous, we desire to live righteously. God is waiting to answer your prayers. Pray in righteousness.

I know the only thing good about me is You, Lord. It is Your righteousness that gives me the freedom to call on You daily for my needs and the needs of others.

Standard