LOVE

LOVE, HONOR & PRAISE

“Quality of Life Series”

A Thanksgiving Study

11/16/06

LEADER: Can you think of someone or several someones who have touched your life by love, honor and praise? Were some of these praises life-changing for you?

(GIVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ANSWERS.)

Do you take the time and opportunity to love and honor others with your praise?

HAVE SOMEONE READ: QUOTE #1

“I have yet to find the man, however exalted his station, who did not do better work and put forth greater effort under a spirit of approval than under a spirit of criticism.”
Charles M. Schwab 1862-1939, American Industrialist, Businessman

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Duke of Wellington” Bits & Pieces 3/31/94

http://www.bible.org/illus.php?topic_id=1138

The Duke of Wellington, the British military leader who defeated Napoleon at Waterloo, was not an easy man to serve under. He was brilliant, demanding, and not one to shower his subordinates with compliments. Yet even Wellington realized that his methods left something to be desired. In his old age a young lady asked him what, if anything, he would do differently if he had his life to live over again. Wellington thought for a moment, then replied. “I’d give more praise,” he said.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “The Kiss” Little House on the Freeway, Tim Kimmel

http://www.bible.org/illus.php?topic_id=1138

Andor Foldes is now seventy-two, but he recalls how praise made all the difference for him early in his career. His first recollection of an affirming word was at age seven when his father kissed him and thanked him for helping in the garden. He remembers it over six decades later, as though it were yesterday.

But the account of another kiss that changed his life says a great deal about our inner need for purpose. At age sixteen, living in Budapest, Foldes was already a skilled pianist. But he was at his personal all-time low because of a conflict with his piano teacher. In the midst of that very troubled year, however, one of the most renowned pianists of the day came to the city to perform. Emil von Sauer was not only famous because of his abilities at the piano, but he could also claim the notoriety of being the last surviving pupil of Franz Liszt. Sauer requested that young Foldes play for him. Foldes obliged the master with some of the most difficult works of Bach, Beethoven, and Schumann. When he finished, Sauer walked over to him and kissed him on the forehead.

“My son,” he said, “when I was your age I became a student of Liszt. He kissed me on the forehead after my first lesson, saying, ‘Take good care of this kiss—it comes from Beethoven, who gave it me after hearing me play.’ I have waited for years to pass on this sacred heritage, but now I feel you deserve it.”

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “The Importance of Praise”

http://www.bible.org/illus.php?topic_id=1138 God’s Little Instruction Book for Men

Perhaps once in a hundred years a person may be ruined by excessive praise, but surely once every minute someone dies inside for lack of it.

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Ephesians 4:29

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “A massive Celebration” Our Daily Bread 8/01/04

http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb-08-01-04.shtml

Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth. —Psalm 96:9

We all love to have someone tell us, "Hey, great job. I appreciate you." And if several people tell us we are doing something right, that's even better.

God loves the praise of His people too, and He truly deserves it. Our most important work on earth is to exalt Him (Psalm 96:9), "that in all things God may be glorified" (1 Peter 4:11). It's our responsibility and privilege to worship, love, exalt, and serve the Lord.

Revelation 5:9-13 tells of a future day in heaven when believers from "every tribe and tongue and people and nation" who have been redeemed by Jesus' blood will surround His throne with praises. All of those individuals—multiplied over the millennia—add up to a mind-boggling congregation of God-glorifying people.

God's greatness is so overwhelming, so unfathomable, and so indescribable that millions and millions of people—all praising Him and bowing before Him in worship—will give Him the glory He deserves.

Even now, each of us can participate in celebrating God's majesty by glorifying Him with our lives. And one day we will join with people from every nation in that massive heavenly celebration. —Dave Branon

Sing praise to God who reigns above,
The God of all creation,
The God of power, the God of love,
The God of our salvation. —Schütz

We have all eternity to praise God—begin today.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Revelations 5:11-14

11Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands,

12saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing."

13And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, "To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever."

14And the four living creatures kept saying, "Amen " And the elders fell down and worshiped.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Love, Honor and Praise”

http://www.cfdevotionals.org/devpg05/de050326.htm

Let’s look at Love, Honor and Praise in Action through a Biblical family. It comes from a family that most people don't think about when they think of a Biblical family. However, it really is one.

The Biblical Family is: God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, also known as the God Head or Trinity.

Matthew 3:16-17 says: As soon as Jesus was baptized, he came up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened. Jesus saw the Spirit of God coming down on him like a dove. ¹⁷ A voice from heaven said, ´This is my Son, and I love him. I am very pleased with him.

Jesus and John the Baptist, and others around, witnessed God's physical expression toward Jesus through the Holy Spirit. God actively verbalized his love and praise for His Son Christ, for all to see.

This is an example to us of how we should express our Love, Honor, and Praise to our spouse and family members. Don't hold back giving your love, honor and praise when you are in public. Love your spouse or family members by hugging them and telling them that you love them, in public as well as private. It's is honoring to love and be loved at all times, in public and in private. Gary Smalley says, in his book "Making Love Last Forever," that praise will "energize your spouse."

This can be as simple as appreciating your spouse or family members by hugging and praising them for who they are, or for something they do. Simply saying 'I love you' is very valuable. If you don't do it, regularly start today.

It can be done anywhere - for instance in a shopping mall, a restaurant, or a store, the car, a taxicab or even the bus. I believe it should be done, because it's part of who we are inside. It should flow out of us like the fruit of the Spirit. We shouldn't hide it, because it's who we are, and reveals that we are set apart from the world as Christians.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Oliver Windell Holmes”

http://www.bible.org/illus.php?topic_id=1138

The brilliant physician and writer Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., and his brother John represent two radically different views on the subject of flattery. Dr. Holmes loved to collect compliments, and when he was older he indulged his pastime by saying to someone who had just praised his work, “I am a trifle deaf, you know. Do you mind repeating that a little louder?”

John, however, was unassuming and content to be in his older brother’s shadow. He once said that the only compliment he ever received came when he was six. The maid was brushing his hair when she observed to his mother that little John wasn’t all that cross-eyed! I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation. If it were possible for a created soul fully to ‘appreciate,’ that is, to love and delight in, the worthiest object of all, and simultaneously at every moment to give this delight perfect expression, then that soul would be in supreme blessedness.

To praise God fully we must suppose ourselves to be in perfect love with God, drowned in, dissolved by that delight which, far from remaining pent up within ourselves as incommunicable bliss, flows out from us incessantly again in effortless and perfect expression. Our joy is no more separable from the praise in which it liberates and utters itself than the brightness a mirror receives is separable from the brightness it sheds.

C. S. Lewis

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Enduring Faithfulness” By Peter Kennedy EXCERPT

http://www.sermonillustrator.org/illustrator/sermon7/enduring_faithfulness.htm

"Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord." - Psalm 117:1-2
Australian singer and songwriter Darlene Zschech gained international recognition in 1998 for her song "Shout to the Lord," which was nominated for the Dove Award for Song of the Year. In 1999, Darlene received the International Impact of the Year Award from the American Gospel Music Association in Nashville. But Darlene's life wasn't always as together as we see it now.

As newlyweds, Mark and Darlene struggled financially. Darlene earned small change singing commercial jingles for Kentucky Fried Chicken, Diet Coke and McDonald's. Mark struggled to keep their motorcycle parts business afloat to support Darlene and their two young children. It was then that Darlene decided to praise God through the struggle.

"I learned we'll never find hope looking at our circumstances," she says. "It's only found by fixing our eyes on Jesus who doesn't change and who's always faithful." In 1990, the Zschechs left their home and church in Queensland, and moved to Sydney in New South Wales, where they became a part of the music team at Hills Christian Life Center. From there, the Lord started using Darlene to bring glory to Him.

Darlene Zschech commented that praise is "thanking God for things even though they're not there yet," Darlene says. "It's appreciating Jesus not [just] for what He can do, but for being your Savior. And there's power in that."
The Lord isn't just faithful some of the time; He is faithful in the past, present and the future. Today in prayer, thank the Lord that his faithfulness endures forever.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Psalm 89:5
"The heavens praise your wonders, O Lord, your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones."

LEADER: We should praise God in the midst of hardships

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Romans 5:3-5

3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Be Filled With Thankfulness”

http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb-11-25-04.shtml Our Daily Bread 11/25/04

Let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. —Hebrews 13:15

Throughout history, many cultures have set aside a time for expressing their thankfulness. In the US, Thanksgiving Day originated with the pilgrims. In the midst of extreme hardship, loss of loved ones, and meager supplies, they still believed they were blessed. They chose to celebrate God's blessings by sharing a meal with Native Americans who had helped them survive.

We know we've lost the spirit of that original celebration when we catch ourselves complaining that our Thanksgiving Day has been "spoiled" by bad weather, disappointing food, or a bad cold. It's we who are spoiled—spoiled by the very blessings that should make every day a day of thanksgiving, whatever our circumstances.

Billy Graham wrote, "Ingratitude is a sin, just as surely as is lying or stealing or immorality or any other sin condemned by the Bible." He then quoted Romans 1:21, one of the Bible's indictments against rebellious humanity. Then Dr. Graham added, "Nothing turns us into bitter, selfish, dissatisfied people more quickly than an ungrateful heart. And nothing will do more to restore contentment and the joy of our salvation than a true spirit of thankfulness."

Which condition describes you? —Joanie Yoder

A grumbling mood of discontent
Gives way to thankfulness
When we consider all God's gifts
And all that we possess. —Sper

Gratitude is a God-honoring attitude.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Romans 1:20-22

20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

21For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

22Professing to be wise, they became fools,

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Colossians 3:12-17

12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;

13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Gratitude” Our Daily Bread 6/28/06

http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb-06-28-06.shtml

Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. —Colossians 3:17

Among the first words many of us were taught to say are please and thank you. No one gets quite as excited as a parent or grandparent when a toddler first utters those words and makes the connection between asking politely and receiving gratefully.

But I suspect that as we grow older we become more adept at saying please than thank you, especially with our heavenly Father. We focus more on pressing needs than on previous provisions; we petition more than we praise. And while God invites us to come to Him with all our needs, He also urges us to make gratitude a habit.

In Colossians 3:15, Paul instructed every follower of Jesus Christ to “let the peace of God rule in your hearts.” Then three times he reminded us to remain grateful to God: “be thankful” (v.15); sing with gratitude to the Lord (v.16); “do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (v.17).

Dr. Michael Avery, president of God’s Bible School in Cincinnati, Ohio, has said: “Very few things honor and glorify God more than the sweet fragrance of a thankful soul. It expels gloom and ushers in sweet peace and blessed hope. Gratitude encourages graciousness.”

It’s good to give thanks to God. —David C. McCasland

We thank You, Lord, for blessings
You give us on our way;
May we for these be grateful,
And praise You every day. —Roworth

Gratitude should be a continuous attitude, not just an occasional incident.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “A Heart For Praise” Our Daily Bread 1/15

http://www.bible.org/illus.php?topic_id=1138

Louis Albert Banks tells of an elderly Christian man, a fine singer, who learned that he had cancer of the tongue and that surgery was required. In the hospital after everything was ready for the operation, the man said to the doctor, “Are you sure I will never sing again?” The surgeon found it difficult to answer his question. He simply shook his head no. The patient then asked if he could sit up for a moment. “I’ve had many good times singing the praises of God,” he said. “And now you tell me I can never sing again. I have one song that will be my last. It will be of gratitude and praise to God.” There in the doctor’s presence the man sang softly the words of Isaac Watts’ hymn,

I’ll praise my Maker while I’ve Breath,
And when my voice is lost in death,
Praise shall employ my nobler power;
My days of praise shall ne’er be past,
While life, and thought, and being last,
Or immortality endures.”

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Austria Under Attack”

http://www.bible.org/illus.php?topic_id=1138

The citizens of Feldkirch, Austria, didn’t know what to do. Napoleon’s massive army was preparing to attack. Soldiers had been spotted on the heights above the little town, which was situated on the Austrian border. A council of citizens was hastily summoned to decide whether they should try to defend themselves or display the white flag of surrender. It happened to be Easter Sunday, and the people had gathered in the local church. The pastor rose and said, “Friends, we have been counting on our own strength, and apparently that has failed. As this is the day of our Lord’s resurrection, let us just ring the bells, have our services as usual, and leave the matter in His hands. We know only our weakness, and not the power of God to defend us.”

The council accepted his plan and the church bells rang. The enemy, hearing the sudden peal, concluded that the Austrian army had arrived during the night to defend the town. Before the service ended, the enemy broke camp and left.

LEADER: We should praise God in the face of our enemies.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Psalm 143

1 Hear my prayer, O LORD,
         Give ear to my supplications!
         Answer me in Your faithfulness, in Your righteousness!
    2 And do not enter into judgment with Your servant,
         For in Your sight no man living is righteous.
    3 For the enemy has persecuted my soul;
         He has crushed my life to the ground;
         He has made me dwell in dark places, like those who have long been

        dead.
    4 Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me;
         My heart is ⁾appalled within me.
    5 I remember the days of old;
         I meditate on all Your doings;
         I muse on the work of Your hands.
    6 I stretch out my hands to You;
         My soul longs for You, as a parched land. Selah.
    7Answer me quickly, O LORD, my spirit fails;
         Do not hide Your face from me,
         Or I will become like those who go down to the pit.
    8 Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning;
         For I trust in You;
         Teach me the way in which I should walk;
         For to You I lift up my soul.
    9Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies;
         I take refuge in You.
    10Teach me to do Your will,
         For You are my God;
         Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
    11For the sake of Your name, O LORD, revive me
         In Your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble.
    12 And in Your lovingkindness, cut off my enemies
         And destroy all those who afflict my soul,
         For I am Your servant.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Thoughtful Praises” Our Daily Bread 12/20/03

http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb-12-20-03.shtml

I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I muse on the work of Your hands. —Psalm 143:5

Most of us long to praise God more joyfully than we do. One common hindrance is that no matter how hard we try, we often don't feel like praising Him.

Bible teacher Selwyn Hughes says that God has placed within us three main functions: the will, the feelings, and the thoughts. Our will, he says, has little or no power over our feelings. You can't say, "I am going to feel different," and then accomplish it by sheer willpower. What the feelings do respond to are the thoughts. Quoting another source, Hughes says: "Our feelings follow our thoughts like baby ducks follow their mother." So how can we make our thoughts the leader of our feelings?

David showed us the way in Psalm 143. Feeling overwhelmed and distressed (v.4), he took time to think about the Lord (v.5). He remembered God's lovingkindness, trustworthiness, and guidance (v.8); His protection and goodness (vv.9-10); His righteousness and mercy (vv.11-12). Once David got going, his feelings began to follow his thoughts.

Name your own blessings daily; contemplate them thoroughly; speak about them to God and to others. Gradually your concern about feelings will diminish and you'll be praising God with joy. —Joanie Yoder

Take control of my heart today,
Keep it filled with joy and praise
And gratitude for every good
You bestow on all my days. —Sees

Joy thrives in the soil of praise.

LEADER: We should praise Him in times of joy.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Psalm 150

1Praise the LORD!
         Praise God in His sanctuary;
         Praise Him in His mighty expanse.
    2Praise Him for His mighty deeds;
         Praise Him according to His excellent greatness.
    3Praise Him with trumpet sound;
         Praise Him with harp and lyre.
    4Praise Him with timbrel and dancing;
         Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe.
    5Praise Him with loud cymbals;
         Praise Him with resounding cymbals.
    6Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
         Praise the LORD!

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “A Lesson In Praise” Our Daily Bread 9/26/04

http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb-09-26-04.shtml

Psalm 150 is not only a beautiful expression of praise, it's also a lesson in praising the Lord. It tells us where to praise, why we're to praise, how we're to praise, and who should offer praise.

Where do we praise? In God's "sanctuary" and "mighty firmament" (v.1). Wherever we are in the world is a proper place to praise the One who created all things.

Why do we praise? First, because of what God does. He performs "mighty acts." Second, because of who God is. The psalmist praised Him for "His excellent greatness" (v.2). The all-powerful Creator is the Sustainer of the universe.

How should we praise? Loudly. Softly. Soothingly. Enthusiastically. Rhythmically. Boldly. Unexpectedly. Fearlessly. In other words, we can praise God in many ways and on many occasions (vv.3-5).

Who should praise? "Everything that has breath" (v.6). Young and old. Rich and poor. Weak and strong. Every living creature. God's will is for everyone to whom He gave the breath of life to use that breath to acknowledge His power and greatness.

Praise is our enthusiastic expression of gratitude to God for reigning in glory forever. —Julie Ackerman Link

Let every creature rise and bring
Peculiar honors to our King;
Angels descend with songs again,
And earth repeat the loud amen! —Watts

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Psalms, Incense, Praise” Our Daily Bread 6/27/04

http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb-06-27-04.shtml

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. —Psalm 150:6

The well-known English preacher Charles H. Spurgeon (1834-1892) wrote something that would be good to remember at the start of each day: "Let your thoughts be psalms, your prayers incense, and your breath praise." Let's look at each of these phrases.
Let your thoughts be psalms. The 150 psalms have a variety of themes, including praise, God's character, and expressions of dependence on the Lord. Throughout the day we can turn our thoughts into psalms by meditating on God's holiness, His worthiness of our worship, and how much we need Him.

Let your prayers be incense. In the tabernacle of the Jews, incense was burned continually to offer a sweet savor to the Lord (Exodus 30:7-8). Our prayers are like incense to God (Psalm 141:2), bringing to His nostrils the pleasing scent of our adoration and need for Him.

Let your breath be praise. The book of Psalms concludes with the words, "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!" (Psalm 150:6). Talking about God and offering Him words of praise should be as natural to us as breathing.
Keep the Lord in your thoughts, prayers, and speech today. —

David C. Egner

Worship, praise, and adoration
All belong to Jesus' name;
Freely give your heart's devotion,
Constantly His love proclaim. —Anon.

A heart filled with praise brings pleasure to God.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “John Wesley” Our Daily Bread 12/12

http://www.bible.org/illus.php?topic_id=1138

John Wesley was about 21 years of age when he went to Oxford University. He came from a Christian home, and he was gifted with a keen mind and good looks. Yet in those days he was a bit snobbish and sarcastic. One night, however, something happened that set in motion a change in Wesley’s heart. While speaking with a porter, he discovered that the poor fellow had only one coat and lived in such impoverished conditions that he didn’t even have a bed. Yet he was an unusually happy person, filled with gratitude to God. Wesley, being immature, thoughtlessly joked about the man’s misfortunes. “And what else do you thank God for?” he said with a touch of sarcasm. The porter smiled, and in the spirit of meekness replied with joy, “I thank Him that He has given me my life and being, a heart to love Him, and above all a constant desire to serve Him!” Deeply moved, Wesley recognized that this man knew the meaning of true thankfulness.

Many years later, in 1791, John Wesley lay on his deathbed at the age of 88. Those who gathered around him realized how well he had learned the lesson of praising God in every circumstance. Despite Wesley’s extreme weakness, he began singing the hymn, “I’ll Praise My Maker While I’ve Breath.”

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Grace & Providence”

Olney Hymns, William Cowper, from Cowper’s Poems, Sheldon & Company, New York

http://www.bible.org/illus.php?topic_id=1138

Almighty King! whose wondrous hand
Supports the weight of sea and land;
Whose grace is such a boundless store,
No heart shall break that sighs for more;

Thy providence supplies my food,
And ‘tis Thy blessing makes it good;
My soul is nourish’d by Thy Word,
Let soul and body praise the Lord!

My streams of outward comfort came
From Him who built this earthly frame;
Whate’er I want His bounty gives,
By whom my soul for ever lives.

Either His hand preserves from pain,
Or, if I feel it, heals again;
From Satan’s malice shields my breast,
Or overrules it for the best.

Forgive the song that falls so low
Beneath the gratitude I owe!
It means Thy praise, however poor,
An angel’s song can do no more.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “I Don’t Need A Thing” By Bob Perks

http://www.sermonillustrator.org/illustrator/sermon12/i_don_not_need_a_thing.htm

I was about to say my evening prayers when I suddenly realized that I had nothing to ask for.
I know God is already aware of all the needs of my family and the world that often plague my own spirit, so what could I say?
“How odd!” I thought. “My list is normally long.”
A voice inside me said, “Prayer isn’t just for asking.”
That was, in itself, a revelation.
"Should I kneel and pray?" I thought out loud.
"Don't get down on your "needs" stand up with your "thank you's," I heard deep inside.
So, I stood there and talked with Him.
"God, I don’t need a thing. What more could I possibly ask of you?
You have given me so much.
I’ve been blessed beyond measure.
No, we don’t live in a mansion and we don’t drive fancy cars.
Our clothes are average, no big name labels inside.
We are not bedazzled in fine jewelry or walk in imported leather shoes.
We are still comfortable.
No, it hasn’t been by any means an easy life, but in comparison to some people I know, I feel like a king.
So, why have I called on you in prayer tonight?
I’m here just to say “thank you.”
Thank you for the deep financial challenges I now face. Learning how to live within my means may delay my dreams, but it brings out the best in me. I will always have dreams.
Thank you for the health issues that turned our lives upside down recently. They taught me to appreciate life, love, family and friends more. I now find so much joy in every moment of my life.
Thank you for the work related conflicts. They challenge us to understand and forgive those who lack people skills and compassion. Maybe even faith. Dealing with them will make us stronger and perhaps they will learn from our example.
Oh, yes. Thank you in advance, for any future challenges that may come our way. Although difficult to see at the time, they each contain gifts we didn’t know we needed.
Yes, God. Thank you, I don’t need a thing.
Amen."

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Abe Lincoln” Our Daily Bread 6/4/97

http://www.bible.org/illus.php?topic_id=1138
Imagine what a heavy schedule of appointments President Abraham Lincoln had to keep day after day. Yet when an elderly woman with no official business in mind asked to see him, he graciously consented.

As she entered Lincoln’s office, he rose to greet her and asked how he might be of service. She replied that she had not come to ask a favor. She had heard that the President liked a certain kind of cookie, so she had baked some for him and brought them to his office.

With tears in his eyes, Lincoln responded, “You are the very first person who has ever come into my office asking not, expecting not, but rather bringing me a gift. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

LEADER: If Abraham Lincoln was so overwhelmed by this act of love, how much more does our Father in heaven appreciate our love, honor and praise to others and to Him.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Colossians 2:6-7

6 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,

7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “All About Gratitude” Our Daily Bread 11/23/06

http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb-11-23-06.shtml

Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus. —Colossians 3:17

For centuries, people in many countries have held harvest festivals to celebrate the bounty of the land and the blessings of life. In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln established a national holiday in the United States as “a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father.”

Washington Post columnist Richard Cohen thinks that most holidays have been corrupted by commercialism, while Thanksgiving Day has retained its intended purpose. He said, “This is a very rare day. It is wholly and entirely about gratitude.”

No matter what others do, we as followers of Christ have the privilege and responsibility to extend the spirit of thankfulness to every day of the year. Paul urged the Colossians to keep growing in Christ while overflowing with thankfulness (Col. 2:6-7). We are to do everything “in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (3:17).

Abraham Lincoln’s proclamation also declared that all our blessings “are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.”

Thanksgiving is a fitting day to express gratitude to God. And so is tomorrow, and every day that follows. —David C. McCasland

Worthy is God of our worship,
Worthy is He of our praise,
Magnify Him with thanksgiving,
Gladly our voices we raise. —Anon.

The joy of living comes from a heart of thanksgiving.

LEADER: Let us take the opportunities God gives us to encourage others and perhaps change a life this Thanksgiving by our love, honor and praise. May we adopt this as a pattern of life…AND…from Psalm 100… The Psalm of Thanksgiving:

May we love, honor and praise our Father in heaven by:

1Shouting joyfully to the LORD, all the earth.
    2Serving the LORD with gladness;
         Coming before Him with joyful singing.
    3 Knowing that the LORD Himself is God;
         It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
         We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
    4 (By) Entering His gates with thanksgiving
         And His courts with praise
         Giving thanks to Him, blessing His name.
    5 For the LORD is good;
         His lovingkindness is everlasting
         And His faithfulness to all generations.

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QUOTE #1

“A massive Celebration”

Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth. —Psalm 96:9

We all love to have someone tell us, "Hey, great job. I appreciate you." And if several people tell us we are doing something right, that's even better.

Even now, each of us can participate in celebrating God's majesty by glorifying Him with our lives. And one day we will join with people from every nation in that massive heavenly celebration.

Sing praise to God who reigns above,
The God of all creation,
The God of power, the God of love,
The God of our salvation.

We have all eternity to praise God—begin today.

“A Heart For Praise”

I’ll praise my Maker while I’ve Breath, And when my voice is lost in death,
Praise shall employ my nobler power; My days of praise shall ne’er be past,
While life, and thought, and being last,
Or immortality endures.”

Revelations 5:11-14

“Love, Honor and Praise”

Let’s look at Love, Honor and Praise in Action through a Biblical family. It comes from a family that most people don't think about when they think of a Biblical family. However, it really is one.

The Biblical Family is: God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, also known as the God Head or Trinity.

“Austria Under Attack”

“Oliver Windell Holmes”

C. S. Lewis

“Enduring Faithfulness”

“Be Filled With Thankfulness”

Let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. —Hebrews 13:15

Which condition describes you?

A grumbling mood of discontent Gives way to thankfulness
When we consider all God's gifts And all that we possess.

Gratitude is a God-honoring attitude.

“Gratitude”

Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. —Colossians 3:17

It’s good to give thanks to God.

We thank You, Lord, for blessings You give us on our way;
May we for these be grateful, And praise You every day.

Gratitude should be a continuous attitude, not just an occasional incident.

Psalm 89:5

Romans 5:3-5

Romans 1:20-22

Colossians 3:12-17

Psalm 143

Psalm 150

Colossians 2:6-7

“Thoughtful Praises”

I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I muse on the work of Your hands. —Psalm 143:5

Most of us long to praise God more joyfully than we do. One common hindrance is that no matter how hard we try, we often don't feel like praising Him.

Take control of my heart today,
Keep it filled with joy and praise
And gratitude for every good
You bestow on all my days. —Sees

Joy thrives in the soil of praise.

“A Lesson In Praise”

Psalm 150 is not only a beautiful expression of praise, it's also a lesson in praising the Lord. It tells us where to praise, why we're to praise, how we're to praise, and who should offer praise.

Where do we praise? In God's "sanctuary" and "mighty firmament" (v.1). Wherever we are in the world is a proper place to praise the One who created all things.

How should we praise? Loudly. Softly. Soothingly. Enthusiastically. Rhythmically. Boldly. Unexpectedly. Fearlessly. In other words, we can praise God in many ways and on many occasions (vv.3-5).

Praise is our enthusiastic expression of gratitude to God for reigning in glory forever. —Julie Ackerman Link

Let every creature rise and bring
Peculiar honors to our King;
Angels descend with songs again,
And earth repeat the loud amen!

“Psalms, Incense, Praise”

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. —Psalm 150:6

Worship, praise, and adoration
All belong to Jesus' name;
Freely give your heart's devotion,
Constantly His love proclaim.

A heart filled with praise brings pleasure to God.

“John Wesley”

“Grace & Providence”

Almighty King! whose wondrous hand
Supports the weight of sea and land;
Whose grace is such a boundless store,
No heart shall break that sighs for more;

Thy providence supplies my food,
And ‘tis Thy blessing makes it good;
My soul is nourish’d by Thy Word,
Let soul and body praise the Lord!

My streams of outward comfort came
From Him who built this earthly frame;
Whate’er I want His bounty gives,
By whom my soul for ever lives.

Either His hand preserves from pain,
Or, if I feel it, heals again;
From Satan’s malice shields my breast,
Or overrules it for the best.

Forgive the song that falls so low
Beneath the gratitude I owe!
It means Thy praise, however poor,
An angel’s song can do no more.

“I Don’t Need A Thing”

“Abe Lincoln”

Imagine what a heavy schedule of appointments President Abraham Lincoln had to keep day after day. Yet when an elderly woman with no official business in mind asked to see him, he graciously consented.

“All About Gratitude”

Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus. —

Colossians 3:17

Thanksgiving is a fitting day to express gratitude to God. And so is tomorrow, and every day that follows.

Worthy is God of our worship,
Worthy is He of our praise,
Magnify Him with thanksgiving,
Gladly our voices we raise.

The joy of living comes from a heart of thanksgiving.

“The Kiss”

“Duke of Wellington”

“The Importance of Praise”

Perhaps once in a hundred years a person may be ruined by excessive praise, but surely once every minute someone dies inside for lack of it.

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Ephesians 4:29