NOV.24, 1996

1 Cor 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the

victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Cor 2:14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth

us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest

the savour of his knowledge by us in every

place. (KJV)

Eph 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God

and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus

Christ; (KJV)

Col 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made

us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of

the saints in light: (KJV)

Col 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of

darkness, and hath translated us into the

kingdom of his dear Son: (KJV)

Col 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins: (KJV)

AS WE APPROACH THANKSGIVING THIS THRUSDAY I WANT TO

WORDS: THANK YOU. EVERY PERSON IN EVERY, IN EVERY

SOCIAL LEVEL AND NATIONALITY NEEDS TO LEARN HOW TO

EXPRESS THANKSGIVING AND APPRECIATION TO OTHERS. YOU

SEE THESE TWO WORDS NEED TO BE SPOKEN OR THEY NEED TO

BE EXPRESSED IN SOME TANGIBLE WAY BEFORE ITS POWER CAN

BE RELEASED IN OUR LIVES. AND THE EXCITING THING ABOUT

IT IS THAT EVERYBODY CAN DO IT--ITS JUST THAT SIMPLE.

NOW THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE IS TO LIVE A POWERLESS, SELF-

ISH, DEFEATED LIFE THAT CHARACTERIZES THE UNREGENERATE

SOUL IN THE LATTER DAYS. LET ME READ 2 TIM.3:1-4 OUT

OF THE MESSAGE BIBLE:

"Don't be niave, there are difficult times ahaed. As

the end approaches people are going to be self-absorbed

money-hungry, stuck-up, profane, contemptuous of par-

ents, crude, coarse, dog-eat-dog, unbending, slander-

ers, impulsively wild, savage, cynical, treacherous,

ruthless, bloated wind bags, addicted to lust and

allergic to God. They will make a show of religion but

behind the scenes they are animals. Stay clear of

WE ARE LIVING IN THYOSE TIMES. WHAT IS ALARMING TO ME

THOUGH, IS THAT MANY OF THESE THINGS ARE BEING DONE

RIGHT INSIDE OUR CHURCHES BY PROFESSED, SPIRIT-FILLED

CHRISTIANS. DON'T YOU KNOW THAT THE BIBLE COMMANDS US

TO BE THANKFUL AND IS THEREFORE A MARK OF THE SINFUL

NATURE IF WE DO NOT EXPRESS IT.

Col 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts,

to the which also ye are called in one body;

and be ye thankful. (KJV)

Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in

all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one

another in psalms and hymns and spiritual

songs, singing with grace in your hearts to

the Lord. (KJV)

Col 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all

in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks

to God and the Father by him. (KJV)

NOW ITS NOT ENOUGHT TO HAVE FEELINGS OF APPRECIAITON

FOR OTHERS WE MUST EXPRESS IT. OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS

THE BODY OF CHRIST HAS GONE THROUGH A REVIVAL OF PRAISE

AND WORSHIP. WE HAVE LEARNED HOW TO GIVE THANKS TO THE

LORD. WE HAVE LEARNED HOW TO EXPRESS IT. WE HAVE

LEARNED HOW TO EXPRESS A SPIRIT OF APPRECIAITON TO GOD

FIRST. THIS HAS OPENED THE WAY FOR US TO LEARN HOW TO

EXPRESS APPRECIAION FOR THE GOOD THINGS THAT OTHER

PEOPLE HAVE BROUGHT INTO OUR LIVES. IT MUST BE STATED

HERE THAT THANKSGIVING AND APPRECIATION ARE LEANED

TRAITS, ITS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS WHEN OUR SPIRIT IS

REGENERATED AND OUR MIND IS RENEWED.

Lk. 17:12 And as he entered into a certain village,

there met him ten men that were lepers,

which stood afar off: (KJV)

Lk. 17:13 And they lifted up their voices, and said,

Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. (KJV)

Lk 17:14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go

shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came

to pass, that, as they went, they were

cleansed. (KJV)

Lk 17:15 And one of them, when he saw that he was

healed, turned back, and with a loud voice

glorified God, (KJV)

Lk 17:16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving

him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. (KJV)

Lk 17:17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten

cleansed? but where are the nine? (KJV)

Lk 17:18 There are not found that returned to give

glory to God, save this stranger. (KJV)

Lk 17:19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy

faith hath made thee whole. (KJV)

WE ARE ALL PRETTY FAMILAR WITH THIS PASSAGE OF

FOR HIS ACTS OF MERCY AND KINDNESS TOWARDS US. 10

LEPERS WE HEALED BUT ONLY ONE RETURNED TO GIVE THANKS.

IN VVS.17 JESUS EXPRESSES A SENSE OF LOSS AND GRIEF

BECAUSE THE OTHER 9 DIDN'T RETURN TO GIVE GOD THANKS.

JESUS WAS NOT PERSONALLY GRIEVED BUT HE FELT THE GRIEF

OF HIS FATHER WHO HAD PERFROMED THE MIRACLE IN THESE 10

LEPER'S LIVES. THIS IS AN INDICATION THAT WE HURT GOD

WHEN WE ARE UNTHANKFUL FOR HIS ACTS OF GOODNESS AND

KINDNESS TOWARDS US.

Psalms 107:1 O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is

good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalms 107:2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom

he hath redeemed from the hand of the

enemy; (KJV)

Psalms 107:3 And gathered them out of the lands, from

the east, and from the west, from the

north, and from the south. (KJV)

Psalms 107:4 They wandered in the wilderness in a

solitary way; they found no city to dwell

in. (KJV)

Psalms 107:5 Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in

them. (KJV)

Psalms 107:6 Then they cried unto the LORD in their

trouble, and he delivered them out of

their distresses. (KJV)

Psalms 107:7 And he led them forth by the right way,

that they might go to a city of

habitation. (KJV)

Psalms 107:8 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his

goodness, and for his wonderful works to

the children of men! (KJV)

Psalms 107:9 For he satisfieth the longing soul, and

filleth the hungry soul with goodness.

Psalms 107:10 Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow

of death, being bound in affliction and

iron; (KJV)

Psalms 107:11 Because they rebelled against the words

of God, and contemned the counsel of the

most High: (KJV)

Psalms 107:12 Therefore he brought down their heart

with labour; they fell down, and there

was none to help. (KJV)

Psalms 107:13 Then they cried unto the LORD in their

trouble, and he saved them out of their

distresses. (KJV)

Psalms 107:15 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his

goodness, and for his wonderful works to

the children of men! (KJV)

NOW I KNOW THAT THERE IS NOT A PERSON IN THIS ROOM

THAT WANTS TO INTENTIONALLY HURT OR GRIEVE THE LORD AND

YET IF WE DON'T LEARN HOW TO EXPRESS OUR APPRECIAITON

AND THANKSGIVING TO GOD WE ARE SINNING AND GRIEVING

HIM.

1 Tim 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all,

supplications, prayers, intercessions, and

giving of thanks, be made for all men; (KJV)

1 Tim 2:2 For kings, and for all that are in authority;

that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life

in all godliness and honesty. (KJV)

1 Tim 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight

of God our Saviour; (KJV)

APPRECIAITON. WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT OUR RLEATION-

SHIP WITH GOD AND WITH EACH OTHER IS BUILT UPON THE

FOUNDATION APPRECIAITON AND GRADTITUDE. HERE PAUL COM-

MANDS US TO PRAY, INTERCED AND GIVE THANKS FOR, "A FEW

GOOD MEN"? NO, FOR ALL MEN--THE GOOD AND THE BAD. THE

BIBLE CHALLENGES US TO BE THANKFUL. IN OUR CHURCHES,

WE NEED APPRECIAITON TO BUILD A STRONG AND HEALTHY

CHURCH FAMILY OR WE WILL HAVE STRIFE, ENVY, CONFUSION

AND EVERY EVIL WORK. WE MUST LEARN NOT TO TAKE ONE

ANOTHER FOR GRANT IT BUT VALUE AND APPRECIATE ONE

ANOTHER.

HERE IN 1 TIM.1-3 PAUL TELLS US TO PRAY FOR OUR

PLACES AND INTO OUR CHURCHES. DON'T SPEAK EVIL OF YOUR

BOSS, YOUR HUSBAND, YOUR PASTOR. DON'T SPEAK EVIL OF

CIVIL GOV. OR NATIONAL GOVERNMENTAL LEADERS BUT PRAY

FOR THEM AND BE THANKFUL FOR THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE

ORDAINED BY GOD ACCORDING TO ROM.13. YOU SEE THERE IS

A SPIRIT IN THE LAND THAT MOCKS AND ATTACKS LEADERSHIP

AND THOSE IN AUTHROITY.

Acts 23:1 And Paul, earnestly beholding the council,

said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all

good conscience before God until this day.

Acts 23:2 And the high priest Ananias commanded them

that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.

Acts 23:3 Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite

thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to

judge me after the law, and commandest me to

be smitten contrary to the law? (KJV)

Acts 23:4 And they that stood by said, Revilest thou

God's high priest? (KJV)

Acts 23:5 Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he

was the high priest: for it is written, Thou

shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy

people. (KJV)

HERE WE SEE THAT PAUL IGNORANTLY SPOKE EVIL OF THE

REPENTED OF SPEAKING EVIL OF HIM. YOU SEE THE ONLY

ALTERNATIVE TO SPEAKING EVIL OF THOSE IN AUTHORITY IS

TO PRAY FOR THEM (NOT AGAINST THEM) AND TO GIVE THANKS

FOR THEM. WHAT POWER AND BLESSING IS THIS GOING TO

PRODUCE IN YOUR LIFE AN MINE. 1TIM.2:2 TELLS US THAT

WE WILL LIVE A QUIET AND PEACABLE LIFE AND THAT'S A

PRETTY GOOD WAY TO LIVE.

IF APPRECIATION DOES NOT EXIST IN A MARRIAGE, IN A

IT WILL HAVE HOSTILITY, RESENTMENT AND STRIFE. IF YOU

WANT PEACE IN YOUR OFFICE THERE MUST BE A SPIRIT OF

APPRECIATION AND GRADTITUDE FOR ALL EMPLOYESS FROM THE

BOSS TO THE JANITOR. IF WE TAKE OUR CO-WORKERS FOR

GRANT IT, OR IF WE TAKE ONE ANOTHER FOR GRANT IT HERE

AT ZION, WITHOUT SHOWING APPRECIAITON AND THANKSGIVING

TO THEM THEN WE WILL BE SLOWLY BUILDING RESENTMENT AND

HOSTILITY. YOU SEE, THAKFULNESS AND APPRECIAITON IS A

KIND OF PREVENTATIVE MAINTAINENCE IN OUR RELATIONSHIPS.

AND IT IS SO MUCH EASIER TO DO THAN TO TRY AND CLEAN

UP STRIFE, HOSTILITY AND CONTENTION. WE NEED TO SEE

SOMETHING VERY INTRESTING HERE APPRECIAITON & THANKSGIV

IS A WEAPON IN OUR MOUTH, SPOKEN TO OTHERS FOR THEIR

EDIFICATION, EXHORTATION AND COMFORT THAT WILL DEFEAT

THE ENEMIES' DEVICES TO BRING DIVISION TO THE BODY OF

CHRIST. THERE IS AN UNLINMITED POWER AND FORCE THAT IS

RELEASED WHEN PEOPLE EXPRESS THANKSGIVING AND APPRECIA-

TION FOR ONE ANOTHER. OUR WORDS RELEASE A POWER INTO

THE ATMOSHERIC HEVENLY'S THAT DEFEAT AND DISLODGE

DEMONIC ASSIGNMENTS RESULTING IN A QUEIT AND PEACEFUL

LIFE. P.T.L.

1 Tim 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight

of God our Saviour; (KJV)

NOW ANOTHER REASON TO SHOW APPRECIAITON AND THANKS-

SIGHT OF GOD. WHAT DOES GOD WANT TO SEE IN OUR LIVES.

IS HE LOOKING FOR PEOPLE TO HEAL THE SICK, TO SPEAK IN

TONGUES OR TO PROPHESY. NOW THOSE ARE GOOD THINGS BUT

HE IS LOOKING FOR HEARTS THAT ARE FULL OF THANKSGIVING

AND APPRECIAITON AND IF WE WANT TO PLEASE GOD WE WILL

BE APPRECATIVE AND THANKFUL FOR ALL.

ABOUT THE GOOD THINGS IN PEOPLES LIVES. NOW IN ORDER

TO BE CAPABLE OF EXPRESSING APPRECIAITON WE MUST THINK

AND REMEMBER WHAT OTHERS HAVE DONE FOR US. WE MIGHT

SAY THAT THINKING PRECEDES THANKING. LET'S REMEMBER

WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR US AND LET'S REMEMBER WHAT OTHER

PEOPLE HAVE DONE FOR US. LET'S SHOW APPRECIAITON TO

OUR SPOUSES, TO OUR CHILDREN AND TO ONE ANOTHER.

Col 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts,

to the which also ye are called in one body;

and be ye thankful. (KJV)

Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in

all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one

another in psalms and hymns and spiritual

songs, singing with grace in your hearts to

the Lord. (KJV)

Col 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all

in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks

to God and the Father by him. (KJV)

THE MESSAGE BIBLES PUTS VVS.15 THIS WAY: "And let the

peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in

step with each other. None of this going off and doing

your own think and cultivate thankfulness. Let the

Word of Christ, the message, have the run of the

house."

HERE WE SEE THAT THANKFULNESS KEEP US IN TUNE WITH

ONE ANOTHER'S FEELINGS, THOUGHTS AND EMOTIONS. IT CON-

FIRMS AND ESTABLISHES OUR RELATIONSHIPS. THIS KIND OF

THANKFULNESS WILL BUILD SELF-ESTEEM AND PROMOTE A SENSE

OF WHOLESOMENESS AND WELL BEING IN YOUR RELATIONSHIPS

WITH YOUR CHILDREN, YOUR SPOUSES, YOUR FELLOW EMPLOYEES

AND FELLOW CHRISTIANS. WHEN THERE IS A LACK OF EX-

PRESSED APPRECIATION IN OUR RELATIONSHIPS THEY WILL

SLOWLY BEGIN TO DETERIOATE. WITHOUT APPRECIAITION

DON'T ASSUME YOUR RELATIONSHIP WILL REMAIN HEALTHY BE-

CAUSE IT WON'T. APPRECIAITION IN OUR RELATIONSHIPS

MUST BE VERBALIZED, SAY IT DON'T JUST THINK IT. THE

RESULTS WILL CONFIRM AND STRENGTHEN YOUR RELATIONSHIPS.

Psalms 95:2 Let us come before his presence with

thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto

him with psalms. (KJV)

Psalms 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,

and into his courts with praise: be

thankful unto him, and bless his name.

THERE IS A RIGHT WAY AND THERE IS A WRONG WAY TO

COME INTO THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD. THESE TWO VERSES

TELL US HOW TO APPROACH GOD. DON'T JUST BARGE INTO

GOD'S PRESENCE WITH YOUR MURMURING AND COMPLAINING:

COME WITH PRAISE, WORSHIP AND THANKSGIVING. YOU WILL

FIND YOURSELF IN THE VERY PRESENCE OF GOD AND IN HIS

PRESENCE IS FULNESS OF PLEASURE, BLESSING AND JOY! !

YOU SEE IF I CAN'T GET INTO HIS PRESENCE THEN I CAN'T

GET WHAT HE HAS FOR ME. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY WILL

GENERATE BLESSING? LET'S TURN TO PSA.133

Psalms 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is

for brethren to dwell together in unity!

Psalms 133:2 It is like the precious ointment upon the

head, that ran down upon the beard, even

Aaron's beard: that went down to the

skirts of his garments; (KJV)

Psalms 133:3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that

descended upon the mountains of Zion: for

there the LORD commanded the blessing,

even life for evermore. (KJV)

PAS. 133 TELLS US THAT WHEN WE ENDEAVOR TO KEEP THE

UNITY OF THE SPIRIT BY BUILDING OTHERS UP WITH APPREC-

IATION AND THANKSGIVING THAT GOD WILL COMMAND A BLESS-

ING UPON US. IF THERE IS DIVISION, CONTENTION AND

STRIFE IN THE MIDST THERE IS NO BLESSING

Prov 11:24 There is that scattereth, and yet

increaseth; and there is that withholdeth

more than is meet, but it tendeth to

poverty. (KJV)

Prov 11:25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he

that watereth shall be watered also himself.

Prov 11:26 He that withholdeth corn, the people shall

curse him: but blessing shall be upon the

head of him that selleth it. (KJV)

HERE WE SEE THAT A WITHOLDING SPIRIT WILL BRING

ANOTHER UP: YOUR LIFE, YOUR MINISTRY, YOUR THANKFUL-

NESS, YOUR HONOR OR YOUR APPRECIAITION. APPRECIATION

THANKSGIVING IS THE COMBINATION OF UNITY AND GENER-

OSITY. WE WORK AT BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS BY BEING

GENEROUS WITH OUR THANKSGIVING TOWARDS OTHERS. WHEN

YOU GO OUT OF YOUR WAY TO SAY THANK YOU THAT WILL RE-

SULT IN GOD'S BLESSING YOU. EVERY GREAT CHURCH IS

MAKRKED BY GENEROSITY AND APPRECIAITION.

IF WE WANT GOD TO COMMAND BLESSING IN OUR CHURCHES

WE HAVE TO KEEP A SPIRIT OF GENEROSITY BECAUSE APPRE-

CIATION IS THE COMBINATION OF UNITY AND GENEROSITY AND

THEY BOTH COMMAND BLESSING ON OUR LIVES. I CHALLENGE

YOU TO START TO BECOME A PERSON OF APPRECIAITON. A

SPIRIT OF APPRECIAITON WILL BRING GOD'S BLESSING INTO

EVERY AREA OF YOUR LIFE.

Psalms 136:1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is

good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalms 136:2 O give thanks unto the God of gods: for

his mercy endureth for ever. (KJV)

Psalms 136:3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for

his mercy endureth for ever. (KJV)

IF IT WERE NOT FOR THE LORD'S MERCIES AND HIS GOOD-

UNTO THE LORD. A BELIEF IN THE INHERENT GOODNESS OF

GOD TOWARDS US IS FOUNDATIONAL TO OUR BEING PEOPLE OF

APPRECIAITION. WE MUST BELIEVE THAT EVEN IN SEASONS OF

TRIAL AND DIFFICULTY THAT SURELY GOODNESS AND MERCY

SHALL FOLLOW US ALL THE DAYS OF OUR LIVES. OUR BREAK-

THROUGH IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER. YOU SEE, APPRECIA-

TION GETS OUR EYES OFF OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNTO THE

GOODNESS OF GOD IN OUR LIVES. *GRADITUDE IS NEVER BUILT

ON WHAT YOU DON'T HAVE BUT ON WHAT YOU DO HAVE SO START

THANKING YOUR WIFE FOR WHAT SHE DOES DO THAT PLEASES

YOU AND STOP COMPLAINING ABOUT WHAT YOU WANT HER TO DO.

Romans 8:28 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.

INTROSPECTION, WE JUDGE OURSELVES AS BEING UNFIT OR UN-

QUALIFIED AND UNLESS WE DEAL WITH IT WE WILL BE JUDGING

OTHERS AS WELL. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT POLITICS AND

POLITICIANS TODAY? HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR EMPLOYER

OR HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR PASTOR OR YOUR PARENT.

DO YOU HAVE ANY NEGATIVITY TO DEAL WITH AND OVERCOME?

THEN YOU ARE A CANDIDATE FOR BECOMING A PERSON OF

APPRECIAITION. A SPIRIT OF APPRECIAITION WILL DEFEAT A

SPIRIT OF NEGATIVITY AND HELP YOU TO FOCUS ON THE POSI-

TIVES. EVERYBODY LIKES TO BE AROUND A POSITIVE OR UP

PERSON AND THAT'S THE KIND OF CONTAGION GOD WANTS FOR

HIS FAMILY.

WHEN WE SEE THE GOODNESS OF GOD IN OUR LIVES APPRE-

CIATION AND THANKSGIVING WILL BUILD FAITH TO BELIEVE

FOR TOMORROW'S BREAKTHROUGH AND PROVISION. LIKE THE 10

LEPERS, IF WE DON'T THANK HIM FOR WHAT HE'S ALREADY

GIVEN THEN HE PROBABLY WON'T CONTINUE TO BLESS US.

Prov 12:25 Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it

stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.

WE CAN EITHER FOUS ON THE NEGATIVE THINGS AROUND US

OR WE CAN FOCUS ON THE GOODNESS OF GOD. THERE IS SO

MUCH SYNOCISM, SARCASM, CRITICISM, RESENTMENT AND

REVENGE ALL AROUND US THAT WILL DESTORY EVERY AREA OF

OUR LIVES IF WE IGNORE IT OR LEAVE IT ALONE. NO WE

MUST CONFRONT IT HEAD ON BECAUSE GOD CANNOT BUILD ON

OUR NEGATIVITY. GOD WILL BUILD IN OUR RELATIONSHIPS,

IN OUR BUISNESS AND INTO OUR LIVES WHEN WE BECOME

PEOPLE OF APPRECIAITION. DID YOU KNOW THAT YOUR VISION

AND YOUR DREAMS ARE CONDITION BY NEGATIVITY OR APPRECI-

ATION. YOUR OUTLOOK ON LIFE IS DETERMINED BY WHAT YOUR

LOOKING OUT FROM. IF YOU SEE FAILURE AND DIFFICULTY IN

YOUR FUTURE YOU ARE DOOMED TO FAILURE BUT IF YOU SEE

THE GOODNESS OF GOD AND THE POWER OF GOD TO OVERCOME

ANY AND ALL OBSTICALES THEN YOU WILL BE SUCCESSFUL IN

WHATEVER YOU DO. APPRECIAITON HELPS US FOCUS ON THE

GOODNESS OF GOD AND IS FOUNDATIONAL TO OUR REACHING AND

FULFILLING OUR DESTINY IN CHRIST!!!

1 Thes 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the

will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

THIS SCRIPTURE TELLS US TO CONTINUE TO GIVE GOD

THANKS AND TO BE AN UP PERSON IN A DOWN WORLD BY BEING

PEOPLE OF APPRECIAITON. IN EVERYTHING WE GIVE THANKS

BUT NOT FOR EVERYTHING. HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE? IT IS

ONLY POSSIBLE WHEN WE HAVE FAITH IN THE INHERENT GOOD-

NESS OF GOD. ALL WE REALLY NEED TO DO IS LOOK AROUND

AT ALL THE SIMPLE THINGS WE TAKE FOR GRANT IT IN OUR

COUNTRY. BEST ECONOMY, CHEAPEST GAS IN THE WORLD, THE

HIGHEST STANDARD OF LIVING, BEAUTIFUL HEATED HOMES TO

LIVE IN, RUNNING WATER AND PLUMBING. 2/3 OF THE WORLD

DOESN'T HAVE ANY OF THESE THINGS. COME ON OPEN YOU

EYES AND GIVE GOD THANKS!!

DO ANY OF YOU HAVE A DESIRE TO FIND, DISCOVER AND DO

THE WILL OF GOD IN YOUR LIFE. HAVE YOU EARNESTLY

PRAYED FOR GOD'S WILL. THIS SCRIPTURE TELLS US TO

BEGIN BY GIVING GOD THANKS--THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD!

Heb 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice

of praise to God continually, that is, the

fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

HALF. EVERY N.T WRITER BUT ESP. THE APOSTLE PAUL

EXPRESSES GOD'S APPRECIAITON AND THANBKSGIVING FOR THE

CHURCHES INSPITE OF THE FACT THAT THERE ARE AREAS OF

SIN AND DISORDER THAT NEED TO BE DEALT WITH. APPRECIA-

TION IS THE LANGUAGE OF GOD AND WE SHOULD DESIRE TO

BECOME MORE LIKE HIM BY SPEAKING HIS LANGUAGE.

1 Cor 1:4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the

grace of God which is given you by Jesus

Christ; (KJV)

1 Cor 1:5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him,

in all utterance, and in all knowledge;

1 Cor 1:6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed

in you: (KJV)

1 Cor 1:7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting

for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

1 Cor 1:8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that

ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord

Jesus Christ. (KJV)

1 Thes 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without

ceasing, because, when ye received the word

of God which ye heard of us, ye received it

not as the word of men, but as it is in

truth, the word of God, which effectually

worketh also in you that believe. (KJV)

2 Thes 1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you,

brethren, as it is meet, because that your

faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity

of every one of you all toward each other

aboundeth; (KJV)

Prov 12:25 Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it

stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.

Prov 15:23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth:

and a word spoken in due season, how good is

it! (KJV)

WE CAN EITHER FEED THEM OUR DOUBT, FEAR, UNBELIEF AND

NEGATIVITY OR WE CAN SPEAK A GOOD WORD THAT WILL BUILD

OTHER PEOPLE UP AND NOT TEAR THEN DOWN. YOU SEE A GOOD

WORD FEED YOUR HEART NOT YOUR EGO. WE ARE SO AFRAID OF

SHOWING OUR APPRECIATION TO OTHERS BECAUSE THEY MIGHT

GET A BIG HEAD BUT A GOOD WORD SPEAKS TO THE HEART AND

MAKES IT GLAD. NOW THERE'S NOT ANYBODY IN THIS ROOM

THIS MORNING THAT IS GETTING TOO MUCH ATTENTION NOR TOO

MUCH APPROVAL SO LET'S DETERMINE TO SHOW OUR APPRECIA-

TION AND THANKSGIVING FOR ONE ANOTHER AND BECOME A

GREAT CHURCH FOR GOD. WE NEED TO BREAK OUT OF OUR

WORLD OF DOOM AND GLOOM AND SHOW APPRECIAITON AND BUILD

OTHERS UP--THAT'S WHY WE EXIST AS A CHURCH SO LET'S GET

BUSY DOING IT!

Prov 16:23 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth,

and addeth learning to his lips. (KJV)

Prov 16:24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to

the soul, and health to the bones. (KJV)