Thanksgiving 11-26 to 27-08

This was a message i did. But this can also be our thanksgiving devo. When i talk about my class just apply to your own school life, church group, or anything! Happy Thanksgiving guys!
GOD BLESS

Themeverse:
1 Thessalonians 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus

Thanksgiving weekend is coming up. What are most of you guys doing? Especially on Friday: I know most of you guys have heard a thanksgiving message over and over and over again. But don’t tune out because we are going to take it to the next step. I know im not as good as pastor Jason or Toby but I try will my best.

How many of you guys miss the Grand Canyon. The one time all of us were together. Just like right now. If we were in 12th grade right now and were to graduate what would you think the other teacher would call us? The class of what (not 2013) but the class of what. Class of unity? Class of hard workers? Class of the jocks?

Just like the pilgrims they had a name pilgrims. If you know me I some what think history is ok so correct me if my history is wrong. Pilgrims they would have a day of thanksgiving and be thankful for everything that has happen to them. Guess what im so thankful they did now we don’t have school. But one thing they did do was they unified together coming all as one including the Indians.

Just like we are now and just like we were at Grand Canyon. No one is fighting no one is arguing just our class hanging out. Fellowshipping hopefully. But one thing we are not doing is being thankful. All we do is “I want this I want that” when I gave these cheeseburgers out most of you were probably going I want that. Who am I to judge please prove me wrong. But actually how many of you said thank you when friends or adults served you.

Our theme verse today is 1 Thessalonians 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Just couple minutes ago in our skit the 4 people were being really greedy. But 1 person was thankful and decided he had enough and wanted to spilt some. What does the homeless guy do he doesn’t be thankful and just totally decided to beat the man up. Also take the wallet.

Now the verse says thankful be thankful. If the passage says that does that man that just got mug say “THANK YOU LORD, IM SO GLAD I GOT MUGED!” HALLEULAH PRAISE THE LORD I GOT MUGGED!” Sounds just like a big weirdo. But actually in a sense that’s what we have to be.

Just hold on 1 sec I’ll come back to this lets say its black Friday. You guys are lined up at I don’t know southland mall, fry’s, GUITARCENTER, Best buy, and etc. So you and your dad decide to go and camp out. Theres this big big big huge guy not fat but buff behind you and goes let me cut you. Without waiting for an answer he pushes you out the way and says thanks bud. Your dad holds you back because you want to get him back.

Are we suppose to be thankful in that situation? Let me ask you what does that verse say.
Another example:

You hang out with friends, and let’s say one of your closest friend in the world decided to start using drugs, and starts asking you if you want to take some. What now…..are you suppose to be thankful?

In all 3 examples you are suppose to be thankful. James 1:2-4 2 consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Your friend that’s taking drugs be thankful because you know this is a great chance to grow closer to Christ and also to bring your friend to Christ. If he yells at you and slaps you, you as a Christian will go through persecution and there’s nothing we can do about it but grow in Christ.

That your answer right there. But in your heads I know you guys are asking what about the other two. Be thankful the first example our skit the man can grow to be a more compassionate man and say “Well, I am thankful im still alive, not only that I am thankful that man can eat one more meal and live one more day” 2nd example getting pushed out of line be thankful and say “Well, I am thankful enough to be able to have money to spend” Doesn’t meant let people boss you around all the time now.

Mr. Chun pointed out a good point to me yesterday. That was I am focusing too much on what we have on this earth. Being thankful for what we have on this earth. But those who are believers we are always eternally thankful. It’s not just only “oh I am thankful imp still alive” It’s more like “well imp thankful that I have Christ in me. Salvation the best gift on earth. I can always be thankful and serve God to the fullest” We can never repay for what Christ did for us. He is the greatest gift on earth.

GREATEST GIFT ON EARTH! Those who are believers know this earth is not our home. Our task here is to serve God, true worship. One way is to be thankful. Be thankful that God sent His son to die for us. So now you can go and spread the word. Sure be thankful for all the material stuff just like in the Lord’s Prayer: thanks for the daily bread. But also our greatest treasure here on earth is thankful for the Holy Spirit in us. Sometimes daily items, toys, games, guitar, instrument, and etc get us to be thankful for them. Which makes us forget to be thankful for the one important thing our salvation.

When is the last time you thank God for your salvation?

This is an attitude of a heart that God will love. A thankful heart + humble heart + characteristic of Christ = Christ like attitude. Why were we created on this earth? For an ultimate purpose to serve God. Our goal being Christ Like. Thankfulness is just 1 more step to achieving that goal. Be thankful that all this is happening to you for you will grow and learn more to become Christ like so if you get heavier trails you can make it through. But that’s only if you are willing to open your eyes, ears, and heart to notice around you. I am probably being a huge hypocrite right now because I struggle with this a lot. But one good thing about writing this is gives me a chance to grow and be thankful reminding me not to be a hypocrite.

My challenge to you:
What areas in your life can you be thankful for?
Are you trying to become Christ Like?
When is the last time you thank God for your salvation?


This thanksgiving look around you, have parents, food be thankful…… more importantly think what is the most important thing to be thankful for.