November 2016

Happy Thanksgiving! What a wonderful month to focus on thanking God for his incredible work of grace in our lives, culminating on Thanksgiving Day with family and friends. This is the key to tangible, everyday joy.

“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.” 1

Be Thankful for Everything…

We are called to live a joyful life, always prayerful, and giving thanks in everything, which is God’s will for our life. Being thankful releases the gift of the Holy Spirit (God’s continual helping presence in our lives), instead of stifling Him by our complaining.

The Bible warns that in the last days, “…people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good.” 2

I pray that your eyes will be opened to the wonder of God’s supernatural grace [unmerited, unearned and undeserved favor], and you will become forever grateful. That sinful-external distractions will be displaced by the graces of God’s love – pride for humility, covetousness for generosity, boastfulness for blessing others, ingratitude for gratitude, and unholiness for the true holiness that comes from God alone.

Thanksgiving Releases the Spirit…

The Spirit is your divine core, born of God’s love. As we thank God for his glorious grace, the fruit and gifts of the Holy Spirit flow forth from your spirit, “…your new nature, created to be like God – truly righteous and holy.” 3

The soul is the gateway for the spirit-filled life to change your ungrateful behavior for bold ministry, “…all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” 4 Being baptized in the Holy Spirit means that your soul (mind, will and emotions) are being renewed as you “…let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.” 5

As a result of your thanksgiving, your body will “…reflect the glory of the Lord …who is the Spirit – makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” 6

“Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.” 7

Our thanksgiving to God releases our faith to believe Him for everything we need, mentally, emotionally and physically. We can live in a continual sense of peace, rest and gratitude.

Thanksgiving Warfare Commitment…

The Spirit-filled believer is a mighty soldier, fighting the good fight of faith in the new covenant of Jesus Christ. As thankful soldiers, our weapons are not physical, but we speak the Word with a thankful heart, the Blood and Name of Jesus, casting down the enemy’s imaginations that are against the knowledge of God. 8

Jesus is the Captain of our salvation, 9 Who has gone before us defeating the enemy and winning the war. 10 The only battle left is contending for the faith by standing in thanksgiving for what Jesus has already accomplished at Calvary. 11 We keep thanking God for His full armor: our belt of Truth, our shield of faith, our breastplate of righteousness, our feet shod with peace, our helmet of salvation, our sword of the Spirit and praying always. 12

As thankful believers, we possess the Spirit of faith. 13 The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in is and is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. 14 As sound-minded thankful soldiers, we are wide-awake with authority in Christ to resist the enemy steadfastly by faith. 15 Our faith works by love. 16

Thanksgiving, Praise and Worship…

As royal priests, thanksgiving, praise and worship are our language of faith, offering these sacrifices continually to God, “…Who has called us out of the darkness into His marvelous light.” 17

During this Thanksgiving season, as faithful priests, we enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. 18 Then, we experience His most holy presence, since Jesus, or great High Priest entered before us, “…so we find grace to help us when we need it most.” 19

Thanksgiving, praise and worship activate our spiritual weapons against the enemy of our soul for the battle is the Lord’s. Read 2 Chronicles chapter 20 to experience a battle of the Lord’s, especially verses 15, 17 and 20-22. “Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and he the Lam forever and ever.” 20

A Declaration of Thanksgiving…

I will enter His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. I give thanks to God and praise His name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and His faithfulness continues to each generation. 21

I give thanks to the Lord and proclaim His greatness. Let the whole world know what He has done. Sing to Him; yes, sing His praises. Tell everyone about His wonderful deeds. 22

I give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever. Who can list the glorious miracles of the Lord? Who can ever list the glorious miracles of the Lord? Who can ever praise Him enough? Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others He has redeemed you from your enemies. 23 My heart is confident in you, O God; no wonder I can sing your praises with all my heart! 24

Scripture References (NLT):