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Thanksgiving Part 3

11/28/2018

2 Cor 4:15 NLT
All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory.

The Apostle Paul wrote this verse. He’s explaining to the Corinthians why he suffers so much for the cause of Christ. People are blinded by spiritual darkness and are on their way to hell. Powerfully, the Word of God sheds light on the dark deeds of men and draws them near to God.

But, there are those who resist the light of God’s Word. They do everything in their power to silence Paul by punishing him for speaking the truth. Even though he faces constant battles, beating, jailings, and his life is always in danger, he looks to the future. Why? Because Paul and all the people who accept Jesus as Messiah will be resurrected to live in heaven with God forever.

All of Paul’s sufferings were for the benefit of the people. He wanted everyone to experience God’s grace. A life that’s been touched by God is filled with thanksgiving. As the number of people grow who accept God’s grace, the greater the glory given to God.

That’s what thanksgiving means in this verse.

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Thanksgiving Part 2

11/14/2018

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2 Chronicles 33:16 NLT
Then he restored the altar of the LORD and sacrificed peace offerings and thanksgiving offerings on it. He also encouraged the people of Judah to worship the LORD, the God of Israel.

The person in this verse is Manasseh, son of King Hezekiah. It is recorded that Manasseh was one of the most evil kings who ever reigned in Judah. Some of his hideous actions included building altars and worshiping Baal, Asherah, the zodiac, and sacrificing his own children by burning them alive. In fact, his practices were even more evil than the nations that were destroyed before the Israelites settled the land. Heavily involved in the occult, he destroyed the altar and placed a defiling image inside the Temple of the Lord. Satan was attempting to establish his anti-christ rule on the earth through this wicked king.

Verse ten records that God audibly spoke to Manasseh and the people but no one would listen to His warnings (plural). Because of their hardened hearts, God was forced to remove His hand of protection. The Assyrian commanders overthrew Manasseh, put a hook through his nose, fettered him with bronze shackles, and transported him to Babylon. As he rotted in jail publicly disgraced and without a kingdom to rule, verse twelve records that he humbled himself before the God of his ancestors. In other words, he realized that the brutal gods he worshiped had zero interest in his well being. Even worse, Satan was using him to destroy mankind and break the heart of the God who made them.

In desperation and with total humility, Manasseh prayed to the God of his fathers, and God heard his plea. Verse thirteen tells us of one of the most amazing miracles of restoration ever recorded. Manasseh was released from prison and reinstated as King of Judah. It was the goodness of God that made him realize that He alone is Almighty and Sovereign.

A repentant and zealous king demanded that all of the idolatrous altars be demolished and the Temple of the Lord be repaired. With a grateful heart, Manasseh and all of his people worshipfully sacrificed peace and thanksgiving offerings to the God of Israel.

That’s what thanksgiving means in this verse.

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Thanksgiving

11/7/2018

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Leviticus 22:29 NLT
When you bring a thanksgiving offering to the LORD, sacrifice it properly so you will be accepted.

There was a proper protocol to give a thanksgiving offering to the Lord. Here are some of the rules that had to be followed.

First, the sacrificial animal had to be a male.

In the New Testament, those who accept Jesus as Messiah are considered children of God. Sons and daughters (Galatians 3:26) have first born status and privileges and we are more valuable to Him then a male bull, ram, or goat.

Secondly, the animal had to be a bull, ram or goat. This law accommodated whatever level of wealth a person was situated. More was expected from the affluent but all could participate.

In the New Testament, all Christians are all to give thanks to the Lord. We are all equal in God’s eyes (Galatians 3:28-29)

Lastly, the animal had to be without defect. A perfect animal is highly valued and the offering would be one of honor and respect to the Lord.

In the New Testament, we are to make sure that we are living holy. God considers us perfect no matter what level of spiritual growth we are as long as we live holy and repent when we sin (1 Peter 2:21).

That is what thanksgiving means in this verse.

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Thanksgiving Part 3

Thanksgiving Part 2

Thanksgiving

Cee Maria

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