Thanksgiving to God

 

(Devotion shared on Nov 1st 2021 at ACFI 1st Day of the Month Prayer Meeting)

 

Psalm 100:4-5 Enter his gates with thanksgiving

    and his courts with praise;
    give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
    his faithfulness continues through all generations.

 

Psalm 7:17 I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.

 

Psalm 69:30 I will praise the name of God with a song, And will magnify Him with thanksgiving

 

Did you know the word thanksgiving occurs 40 times in the Bible (NKJV) 

Ref: Thanksgiving - 40 occurrences

 

The 1st occurrence is in Leviticus 7:12 If he offers it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer, with the sacrifice of thanksgiving, unleavened cakes mixed with oil, unleavened wafers anointed with oil, or cakes of blended flour mixed with oil. 

 

Thanksgiving is ordained by God

 

1 Thess 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray continually,  give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Phil 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

1 Tim 2:1-4 (instructions for worship) I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior,  who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

 

Live as Jesus

 

1 John 2:6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. 

 

So among other things we should be thankful like Jesus was.

 

Did you know Jesus prayed for me and you? Yes, there is a prayer recorded of Jesus, praying for you and me.

 

John 17 is the chapter that is a model of prayer for us - where Jesus prays to His Father, praying for Himself, praying for the disciples, and praying for all believers.

 

John 17:20,21 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;  that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 

 

Jesus's prayer for us is that 'we all may be one"...so as a church, our calling in Christ is to be one....why? so that the 'world may believe that You sent Me'

 

v23b that they may be perfectly united, so that the world may know that You sent Me and have loved them just as You have loved Me.

 

Btw, word study that I want to share, the whole chapter 17 is a prayer....Jesus refers to God as Father 6 times in the 25 verses - Father, Holy Father, Righteous Father.

 

Jesus was thankful 

5 times it is recorded as Jesus saying thanks 

1. Before feeding the 4000

Matthew 15:36 reference Matt 15:29-38

Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people.

 

Thanksgiving - miracle - People were satisfied

 

God is always multiplying and providing – give him thanks.

 

2. Before feeding 5000

John 6:11 reference John 6

Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.

 

Thanksgiving - miracle - People drawn to God

 

3. Before raising Lazarus from the dead reference John 11

John 11:41  So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”

 

Thanksgiving - miracle - People believed in Him - chief priests &  Pharisees plotted to kill Him.

 

Be thankful that God is always listening to you. 

 

4. Before Passover meal / Last Supper Ref Luke 22

(also recorded in Matthew 22: 26-30

 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you.  For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

Btw, that is the longest ongoing fast! Jesus said 'he will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes'

 

Thanksgiving - prep for cross / being a sacrifice for all mankind - lasting ordinance for believers 

 

Jesus was thankful for something that connected his saving sacrifice to his disciples – and, not only to them but to us as well.

 

5. Thanking God for revealing Himself

Luke 10:20-24 Luke 10, NKJV

Context: Jesus sends 70, 2 by 2,  verse 17,  Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”

v21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. 

rejoiced = thrilled with joy

Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.”

Jesus thanked God for revealing himself, not to the strong and powerful, but to the “least of these”

Then He turned to His disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see; for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it.”

 

In Closing:

 

Consider this....Jesus is the ultimate gift! God gave His son so that we can have eternal life. You are an object of His affection. When Jesus thanked God, it was because He had drawn near to us. Be of good cheer. You are loved.

 

I want to revisit  Luke 10:21 

v21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes.

 

1. Like Jesus, do you & I rejoice in the Spirit?
2. Like Jesus, is the  outpouring of our rejoicing Thanksgiving. As with all things, we should imitate Jesus. He gave thanks and so should we.
3. Like Jesus, do we acknowledge the source of our successes - our Heavenly Father, The Lord of heaven and earth
4. Is Jesus rejoicing today on my / your account?! 
5. Looking upon his servants after their return from their successful mission, a group made up certainly for the most part of poor untutored men - fishers, artisans, and the like, children of the people, without rank or position - Jesus thanks the Father that, in the persons of the men chosen to be the instruments of his work, had successfully accomplished their work
6. Are you reflective of the the prayer that Jesus prayer in John 17? Is ACFI reflective of the prayer of Jesus for believers? Are we perfectly united, so that the world may know Jesus and the world may know that God love us, just as God loved Christ?

 

As we enter a new month, a month when we set aside time for Thanksgiving, I hope and pray for each of us will resolve to be thankful and that we will reflect on all that you should be thankful for - rejoicing in the Spirit, giving thanks to God, so those around us will know God through us, individually, through our family and through our church, ACFI.

 

Heb 12:28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,  for our “God is a consuming fire.”

 

Rev 7:11,12 All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,  saying:
“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom,
Thanksgiving and honor and power and might,
Be to our God forever and ever.
Amen.”

 

References:

 

https://biblehub.com/luke/10-21.htm

http://5feetaway.com/the-thankful-jesus/

https://hereadstruth.com/2018/11/16/when-jesus-gave-thanks/

https://chasingalion.com/a/1340-jesus-gave-thanks

https://www.worldvisionadvocacy.org/2019/11/14/20-bible-verses-about-thankfulness-to-god/

https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/luke-10/

 

 

Self-reflection:

My Appa's anniversary today (14th anniv) - Nov 1st 2007  

Thankful for appa’s life and thankful to God for the wonderful grandfather, father, father-in-law, husband, brother, son, and friend he was. I hope we will each emulate his love for the family and the benevolence and generosity he had.

 

 

ACFI Theme 2011 - Please cast your vote

Time for us to let God use each one of you to decide the coming year's theme for ACFI. Please read the references below that are each tied to a theme and prayerfully cast your vote by clicking on the link.

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1. Not Ashamed of the Gospel - Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

2. Be equipped for warfare - Ephesians 6:11
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

3. The Call ... for such a time as this - Esther 4:14
The call to Praise and Worship; to Discipleship; to Fast and Pray; to Missions (Go or Send); to Witness (Great Commission); to Stewardship; to Fruitfulness; to Labor (Harvest is plentiful) and to Serve (and not to be served).
For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

4. Press on toward the goal - Philippians 3:14
I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

5. Put on Love - Colossians 3:14
But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

6. God’s workmanship for good works - Ephesians 2:10
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

7. Know Christ / Gain Christ - Philippians 3:8
Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ

8. Freedom in Christ - Galatians 5:1
Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

9. Made Alive in Christ - Ephesians 2:4-5
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)

ACFI Theme 2010 - Please cast your vote!

Time for us to let God use each one of you to decide the coming year's theme for ACFI. Please read the references below that are each tied to a theme.
Matt 22:14 - For many are called, but few are chosen.
Matt 15:34 - And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.
Romans 1:16 - For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Romans 8:29 - For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
2 Corinthians 6:3-13 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
Hebrews 12:2 - Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Please prayerfully cast your vote NOW!

Online Surveys & Market Research

Christian Family Conference 2009, June 19th - 21st, 2009

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We are just 18 days away from the Christian Family Conference 2009, to be held from June 19th - 21st, 2009 at
Huston Tillotson University
900 Chicon Street Austin, TX 78702

Please plan, prepare and come prayerfully to bless and be blessed. We look forward to seeing you at the Conference.

If you have not already Registered please go to ACFI.CC and register. Please forward this to Friends, Co-Workers and Families. We are glad to know about you.

May the Lord richly bless you as you walk in the Salvation of God in Christ Jesus through the work of Holy Spirit.

Praises in Him,
Austin Christian Fellowship of India

ACFI Theme 2009 - Please cast your vote!

Time for us to let God use each one of you to decide the coming year's theme for ACFI. Please read the references below that are each tied to a theme.
Matt 15:34 - And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.
Prov 11:30 - The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
Phil 1:21- For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Matt 22:14 - For many are called, but few are chosen.
John 12:24 - Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

Please prayerfully cast your vote NOW!

Online Surveys & Market Research

Austin Christian Fellowship Of India hosts Family Retreat 2008

Dear Borthers and Sisters,

ACFI has given significant importance to this event that we host annualy and it has become a time where families come together to fellowhip and learn the scriptures in all ages. It will be held from April 25th - 27th 2008 at a retreat facility close to Austin area, where you can come with your family, leaving all the noise behind from your work life or school life, to focus on how to become Jars of Clay as Christ wants us to be

We are excited to have Bro. Suresh Babu our special speaker for the retreat. He is the founder of Power of Gospel ministries http://www.powerofgospel.com/. He is also a co founder of an Indian church in the Bay area in California.

The planning team has been actively engaged in the schedule of events, venue, children's activities, camp fire and other exciting activities that will enrich you and get closer to God. We would highly encourage that you contact one of us if you have any questions. we would love to hear from you!

Patrick.pitchappa@gmail.com (Patrick)
John_ramesh@yahoo.com (John)
sujosh@gmail.com ( Josh)

Jars of Clay

As we look back on 2007 there are many things that happened in our personal lives. As I was reflecting back on 2007 there are some things that I could have done better ... I stumbled on ths article and thought I must share this with you. Very interesting read and it is our 08 ACFI theme

Wishing you all a Blessed Christmas and great 2008 !

Jars of Clay
By Gail Rodgers




He handcrafted the clay baby cup with her name on it. It was beautifully glazed and I hardly wanted to let her use it. But he said, "Please use it, that's why I made it." And so we did. She loved her own cup with her own name on it!

Today the cup sits in her cupboard in her own kitchen. It is still beautifully glazed with her name on it. But the lines on it show where it was carefully glued back together. A clay pot is oh so sturdy yet oh so fragile!!

God calls us clay pots. And true to the name most of us sport cracks, carefully glued back together. We are oh so sturdy, yet oh so fragile. Why would God entrust clay pots with the light of His love? We try to fulfill His purposes but we get cracked and broken.

Yet His strategy is clear. He knows our weaknesses yet He chose clay pots anyway. He tells us why…

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." 2 Corinthians 4:7

Don't be ashamed of the cracks in your life. Don't be afraid to show how God has mended you. This is the testimony to the watching world. Our God fixes broken pieces!!

If you are broken today because of circumstances in your life, or because of choices you wish you had made differently, don't stay in pieces on the floor. If you know you have disappointed God in your walk or in your talk, tell Him you are sorry.

God will forgive you, pick you up and mend you. Changed lives, lives lived in the power of the Holy Spirit, demonstrate that it is His power at work in us. This is our hope. This is the hope we hold out to a needy world.

God uses you and me, cracked pots, to demonstrate His power. Stop the guilt trips and the pity parties and tap into the power that changes lives. Raise your voice in thankfulness to God who put His Spirit in us so that His amazing power is visible!!!

Allow Him to show through your cracks!!