ThanksLiving
2023
OUR MEMORY
VERSES
Thanksliving Memory Verses
--- ONE ---
Psalm 107:21-22
New International Version
21 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.
22 Let them sacrifice thank offerings
and tell of his works with songs of joy.
---TWO---
Psalm 107:1-3
New International Version
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
2 Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story— those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,
3 those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south
---THREE---
Psalm 107:22
New International Version
Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy.
Thanks Living
Prayer Points
The 5 Day High
of PRAYER MEETINGS,
Days before THANKSLIVING 2023
Bacolod City EDITION
🙏
November 28
Day 1 of Prayer High
TUESDAY
Venue:
PNB Lacson St.
Time:
6PM
Lead:
North & UNWIND
Belovedrose Anino
Zechariah Guanzon Jr.
🙏
November 29
Day 2
WEDNESDAY
Venue:
To Be Announced
Time:
To Be Announced
Lead:
South
Ptr Eric J. Negado
🙏
November 30
Day 3
THURSDAY
Venue:
East Mansion
Time:
6pm
Lead:
East
Cris Mangubat
🙏
December 1
Day 4
FRIDAY
Venue:
SMX Lobby
Time:
6pm
Lead:
West
Raishanne Doxy
Johanna Gabrielle De Vera
🙏
December 2
Day 5
SATURDAY
Venue:
HLM GROUNDS
Time:
5AM DawnWatchEdition
Lead:
Ayala & YX
Stephanie Esgana
Keziah Angela Calamba Tolarba
------
Outside Bacolod City
SITES
that submitted their
5 Day High Schedule
for Nov. 28 - Dec. 2, 2023
HLM SAN CARLOS
TIME:
5PM
VENUE:
Citi Appliances side in front
Mr. C outdoor.
HLM La Carlota
TIME:
6pm
VENUE:
▪︎ Jacobo Residence
Nov. 28-Dec.1
▪︎ CASA DE MAE
Dec. 2
HLM CDO
TIME:
6:15pm
VENUE:
HLM CDO CENTER, Divisoria
HLM CADIZ
TIME:
6PM
VENUE:
HLM CADIZ CENTER
HLM SAGAY
TIME:
6PM
VENUE:
HLM SAGAY FREEDOM FACILITY
HLM MAKATI
TIME:
6:30PM
VENUE:
Open Field beside Jollibee 1000th Store, BGC.
HLM CEBU
TIME:
730PM
VENUE:
IT PARK
HLM ILOILO
TIME:
6PM
VENUE:
HLM ILOILO CENTER, ADELINA BLDG
HLM THAILAND
TIME:
6PM
VENUE:
HLM BANGKOK CENTER
HLM MANJUYOD
TIME & VENUE:
November 28, 2023
-Tuesday
•Venue:
Campuyo Aroma Beach Resort
•Time:
6pm
•Lead:
Cheryl Zerna
November 29, 2023
-Wednesday
•Venue:
Angel Mae Abrasado's residence
•Time:
6pm
•Lead:
Rhea Flor Pitogo
November 30, 2023
-Thursday
•Venue:
Ronald Kadusale's Residence
•Time:
6pm
•Lead:
Lester Abordo
December 1, 2023
-Friday
•Venue:
Bernie Sumadero Residence
•Time:
6pm
•Lead:
Bernie Sumadero
🌻December 2, 2023
-Saturday
•Venue:
Campuyo Aroma Beach Resort
•Time:
6pm
•Lead:
Vanessa Anfone
HLM DUMAGUETE
TIME&VENUE:
November 28, 2023
-Tuesday
•Venue:
Camella Homes
•Time:
6pm
•Lead:
Alma Cabalatungan
November 29, 2023
-Wednesday
•Venue:
Tita Norma’s Residence in Brgy. Calapan
•Time:
6pm
•Lead:
Christy Yumul
November 30, 2023
-Thursday
•Venue:
Rizal Boulevard, Dumaguete City
•Time:
6pm
•Lead:
Ruth Academia
December 1, 2023
-Friday
•Venue:
ESE House Brgy Motong
•Time:
6pm
•Lead:
Jirah Cabalatungan
December 2, 2023
-Saturday
•Venue:
Tiptop Hotel
•Time:
6pm
•Lead:
Elijah Antonio
CATALYTIC
EVENTS
CCC
COACHING CUE CARDS
The Main
TEXT Synopsis
Psalm 107:21-22
New International Version
21 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.
22 Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy.
Psalm 107
was originally a thanksgiving offered at one of Israel’s great festivals, as evidenced by the opening call to give thanks and the repeated refrain, “Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.”
The theme of this thanksgiving is the often-repeated word, "hesed, translated as “enduring or unfailing love,” demonstrated by the goodness of Yahweh in his role as Redeemer of his troubled people.
Originally this Psalm was probably a reference to Israel’s “second salvation history,” not the Exodus from Egypt, but the release of the hostages from Exile.
To move God’s people to thanksgiving, the Psalm writer doesn’t put forth a series of propositions extolling the goodness of God’s love.
Rather, he tells stories, stories that enable us to live into Israel’s experience of a “love that will not let us go.”
Some of the stories clearly come directly from Israel’s history;
Being lost in the wilderness and being imprisoned in darkness.
Getting sick to the point of death.
Getting caught in a storm at sea.
No wonder the Psalmist repeatedly calls the redeemed to give thanks.
Given how quickly we forget what God has done and simply move on with our divinely redeemed, we need this call.
A call for Thanksliving.
Reasons why we are called to live a life of gratitude;
Apart from God, we are all fools whose sin brings us affliction and death.
We are in need of rescue.
All we have to do is cry to the Lord from the bottom of our trouble and from the depths of our needy hearts.
In his unfailing love, God is always ready to deliver.
God is ready to save.
God is eager to save.
A call to live thankfully.
Let all men praise the Lord for his goodness, and let those, particularly, to whom God has thus granted a new life, spend it in his service let them sacrifice with thanksgiving, not only bring a thank-offering to the altar, but a thankful heart to God.
Thanksgivings are the best
thank-offerings, and shall please the Lord And let them declare his works with rejoicing, to his honor and for the encouragement of others.
The living, the living, they shall praise him.
November 5, 2023
ThanksLiving2023 Kick Off
Psalm 107:1-3
New International Version
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
His love endures forever.
2 Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story— those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,
3 those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south
They had just experienced rescue, restoration, and deliverance.
They had just been redeemed from Babylon and this would have been the fitting Psalm to sing.
So even though it deals on a historical level, it is that everlasting grace that is the issue here.
Teaching Points:
Thankful for our Salvation
We who are also redeemed by everlasting grace can join ancient Israel and genuinely through reflecting on this Psalm.
We have been touched with eternal mercy and been forgiven.
We have tasted its sweetness and so we too are invited to sing this great Psalm. Not just Israel but any sinner delivered from death and hell.
November 12,2023
Week 1:
Communion Sunday
Thanksliving Keeps You Safe
Psalm 107:4-9
New International Version
4 Some wandered in desert wastelands
finding no way to a city where they could settle.
5 They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away.
6 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
7 He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle.
8 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
9 for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.
God’s redemption is like a lost caravan being led to a safe city.
The Israelites were restless, lost, sinners without resources; starved and thirsty; wandering hopelessly in a trackless desert; aimlessly looking for a city which can provide food and water, rest and safety.
Obviously, this could well depict Israel in the 40-year-wandering in the wilderness, when they came out of Egypt, wandering restlessly and aimlessly, roaming around in a wasteland, a howling desert between Egypt and Canaan, where they all eventually died under divine judgment.
Like sinners of any day who realized that the whole world is a barren wasteland - a vast empty desert, stark and deadly; who become desperate enough, and hungry enough, and thirsty enough, and pained enough, and frightened enough to call out to God for a way to a city – a city with limitless resources, provisions, rest, security, and satisfaction.
When Israel called to God, He heard them, and He delivered them. And He led them to a right way.
The Hebrew is “a straight way.”
Literally means a road without humps and bumps and curves and turns.
An easy road.
The grace of salvation makes it an easy way. The journey is depicted as a straight way, an easy way. God provided goodness and mercy and grace, and it was Him who did all the work.
All we had to do was receive it.
Teaching Point:
Thankful for our God’s Direction
November 19,2023
Week 2 LifeGroup Sunday
ThanksLiving Keeps you Free
______________________________________________
Psalm 107:10-16 New International Version
10 Some sat in darkness, in utter darkness,
prisoners suffering in iron chains,
11 because they rebelled against God’s commands
and despised the plans of the Most High.
12 So he subjected them to bitter labor;
they stumbled, and there was no one to help.
13 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.
14 He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness,
and broke away their chains.
15 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
16 for he breaks down gates of bronze
and cuts through bars of iron.
God’s redemption is like a captive prisoner in a dungeon waiting execution being set free.
People in those kinds of places died from the filth of those places.
Chained in iron chains that created tremendous suffering.
The sinner not only looked at his life and recognized the aimlessness, and the lostness, and the hopelessness, and the insecurity, and the fears, and the lack of satisfaction, and the hunger of heart, and the thirst, but he also understands that he is imprisoned as a result of a violation of God’s laws, as a result of rebellion against the counsel of God as a result of rebellion against the Word of God.
When Israel was in Egypt, and when Israel was in Babylon more recently, the experience was like in a prison, and they had really no hope of freedom. They were there because of rebellion. They were there because of disobedience. They were, as it were, chained in the darkness and gloom of that pagan place. They were like people in a dungeon, a stinking, smelly, filthy dungeon on death row, awaiting either execution or death from the conditions, without light and without hope.
November 26,2023
Week 3: Instruction Sunday
ThanksLiving Keeps you Well
God’s redemption is like a sick person with no appetite on the brink of death recovering full health.
]Psalm 107:17-20
New International Version
17 Some became fools through their rebellious ways
and suffered affliction because of their iniquities.
18 They loathed all food
and drew near the gates of death.
19 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.
20 He sent out his word and healed them;
he rescued them from the grave.
Another graphic image.
“Fools” – again the indictment comes – “because of their transgression and because of their iniquities were afflicted.” Now, they were made ill.
It’s like a fatal, deadly, illness.
A fatal, deadly sickness.
And as would be true of someone with that kind of illness, you will notice that in verse 18 it says, “Their soul abhorred all manner of” what? “food.”
When a person reaches the last throws of a deadly illness, they have no – what? – appetite.
Loss of appetite.
He doesn’t have the strength or the capability to bring about a cure.
He has a condition that is hopeless.
He’s unable to handle life.
He is unable to deal with issues in life.
He has no peace; he just wastes away to death.
And that’s how sinners are: wanderers, restless, aimless; like prisoners also chained, held in darkness, like depressed, sick, who can’t help themselves.
And in each case, whether lost in the wilderness, locked in prison, or languishing in sickness, death is imminent.
“Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble” - and the petition leads again to the pardon, and this is so wonderful – “and He saved them out of their distresses. He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.”
Is this not the goodness of God? Is this not the mercy of God? Here are these lost; here are these locked; here are these languishing, crying out to a God who eagerly, eagerly hears. Sinners sick with guilt, sick with anxiety, listless, depressed, troubled, without appetite, on the edge, on the brink, in desperation call out, and God hears.
God offers pardon to the people who recognize how bad they are, not how good they are.
December 3,2023
Week 4: Thanksgiving Sunday
ThanksLiving Keeps you Grateful
Psalm 107:22
New International Version
Let them sacrifice thank offerings
and tell of his works with songs of joy.
He repeats himself four times with this, and it really is a plea, saying, “Please don’t be thankless.
Please don’t be thankless.”
Praise is what is appropriate: worship, adoration, gratitude.
Church gathers to do: to worship, and praise, and honor God, and lift up His saving character and His saving work and exalt the Savior through whom this salvation was provided.
Jesus hadn’t yet died, but the pardon God offered to a penitent sinner was offered because Jesus would one day bear that sinner’s guilt. Even though He hadn’t yet died, He would be the sacrifice for that Old Testament penitent. And the sins of that Old Testament penitent would be placed on Christ who would bear them.
We ought to be thanking God for His gift of salvation.
He was a saving God and He would rescue a sinner at the last moment and it’s our time to give back to Him for what He had done for us!
December 10,2023
Victory Sunday
ThanksLiving Keeps you Joyful
Psalm 107:21-22
New International Version
21 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind.
22 Let them sacrifice thank offerings
and tell of his works with songs of joy.
We have tasted its sweetness and so we too are invited to sing this great Psalm.
God gave us everything we needed.
Certainly, we are called to give Him thanks for that grace.
We are a group of redeemed sinners that gather together to thank God for their redemption.
That’s what we are. That’s what we do, to praise Him, to offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, to tell of His works with joyful singing, His wonders to the sons of men.
And so, praise is the right response to the goodness of God.
5pm AYALA will have "THE AFTERGLOW SINGERS" as our GUESTS
---- more transcripts to be posted
SUNDAY
Preaching Texts Only
November 5, 2023
KICK OFF
TITLE:
ThanksLiving
Psalm 107:1-3
New International Version
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.2 Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story— those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,3 those he gathered from the lands,from east and west, from north and south
November 12, 2023
WEEK 1
TITLE:
ThanksLiving
Keeps you Safe
Psalm 107:4-9
New International Version
4 Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle.5 They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away.6 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.7 He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle.8 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind,9 for he satisfies the thirsty
and fills the hungry with good things.
November 19, 2023
WEEK 2
TITLE:
ThanksLiving
Keeps you Free
Psalm 107:15-16
New International Version
15 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind,16 for he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron.
November 26, 2023
WEEK 3
TITLE:
ThanksLiving
Keeps you Well
Psalm 107:19-20
New International Version
19 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.20 He sent out his word and healed them;
December 03, 2023
THANKSGIVING DAY
TITLE:
ThanksLiving
Keeps you Grateful
Psalm 107:22
New International Version
Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy.
December 10, 2023
VICTORY SUNDAY
TITLE:
ThanksLiving
Keeps you Joyful
Psalm 107:21-22
New International Version
21 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.22 Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy.
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Our Days 1 and 2
READING GUIDE
for ALL
(21 Days of Reading)
Day 01
Thank God for He is Good
Psalm 107:1
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. "
We are all aware that we can always give thanks to God privately. However, the act of coming together to thank God is lovely. This became a celebration due to our collective expressions of gratitude as His church, during which everyone shared testimonies, blessings, gifts, and thanks. Hearing people talk about how God has worked or how accepting the Lord Jesus has improved their lives is uplifting. Hearing stories may make us more conscious of and appreciate God's presence.
The Bible encourages us to "enter His gates with Thanksgiving" (Psalm 100:4). Our hearts and attitudes are involved in giving thanks to God. Biblical scholars refer to God's gates as when we come into the presence of God. In other words, whenever we worship God, we enter His presence. He is the source of our eternal life, salvation, and hope. We can express our thankfulness for the opportunities God has provided for us. God is inviting us to enter His gates, calling us all to worship Him and have a deeper intimacy with Him and more meaningful connections with Him through His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. As Christians, we should always be in a state of giving praise and worship to God with Thanksgiving.
Reflection
Do you ready your heart to praise God before you come to Sunday Worship Celebrations to honor Him?
What are the pressures in life that you are facing right now? Can you still enter His gates with Thanksgiving?
What has God done in your life that you are most thankful for?
Prayer Journal
(Share your thoughts as you pray and write down some of them in the line provided below)
____________
____________
____________
Thanks Giving Stewardship Tip
1 Chronicles 29:11-12
11"" Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. 12 Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.""
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Day 02
Thank God for He Redeemed
Psalm 107:2-3
2 Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story— those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,
3 those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south.
King David reflects on God's salvation for His people at the hands of their enemies and His magnificent success in gathering them again from every corner where they are scattered to be one under His lordship. David wants the people of God to understand it and give God the glory he deserves. "Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story." God is showing and teaching us about His strength, our frailties, and our limitations. Additionally, as God exposes Himself to us through His word, the Bible, and our everyday experiences, we understand His majesty and glory, as well as His generous forgiveness and our freedom from sin.
The word rendered "redeemed" here means delivered, rescued, without reference to any price paid for the deliverance. It refers here not to a ransom from sin but to deliverance from danger. This text is a call to respond to the mighty acts of God. If God has redeemed you from something (and if you are a Christian, he has), then you are called to declare His mighty works. Praise the Lord for His love and the amazing things He does for all of us. Thank God for His love and miracle mercy to the children He loves.
Reflection
What is or are the latest revelation God has shown you during your quiet time as you pray and read your Bible?
What's something enjoyable you experience daily that you've come to take for granted?
Prayer Journal
(Share your thoughts as you pray and write down some of them in the line provided below)
____________
____________
____________
Thanks Giving Stewardship Tip
Colossians 3:17, 23-24
""Whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus…. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.""
Romans 14:7-8
""None of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone.
If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord.""
"It is required in stewards that a man be found faithful"
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Day 03
Thank God for He Leads
Psalm 107:4-7
4 Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle.
5 They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives faded away. 6 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 7 He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle.
Often, we get inspired to express our gratitude for the beautiful things God has done for this world, His people, and our individual lives.
But at the same time, we allow our circumstances to dictate our decisions and even the content of our prayers.
If we are honest enough to acknowledge it, even to ourselves, we accept that we only turn to God as a last resort.
We have to realize that whatever situation we are in will not change God's plan for us.
Observe how Psalm 107:21 begins with a wish for people to know the Lord's wonderful deeds. The rest of the psalm reads like a list of all the blessings and great assistance that God has provided.
Psalm 107:4–7 relates what God has done and how God saves and watches over his people. Even amid difficulty and disappointment as their lives faded away, God delivered them from their distress and led them straight to a city where they could settle.
Gratitude can develop if we remember that God is amazingly kind and generous. The one who gives abundantly is most deserving of our overflowing appreciation, as we learn in
James 1:17: "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father."
Reflection
Do I regularly take time to recognize my spiritual leaders and identify the contributions they have made in my life?
Do I respect those who minister spiritually to me, and do they know that I admire and love them?
Do I express appreciation and gratitude to my spiritual leaders for their labors on my behalf?
Prayer Journal
(Share your thoughts as you pray and write down some of it in the line provided bellow)
Thanks Giving Stewardship Tip
Deuteronomy 16:16
"No man should appear before the LORD empty-handed. "
2 Corinthians 8:2-4
"Though (the Macedonian Christians) have been going through much trouble and hard times, they have mixed their wonderful joy with their deep poverty, and the result has been an overflow of giving to others. They gave not only what they could afford but far more; and I can testify that they did it because they wanted to…They begged us to take the money so they could share in the joy of helping the Christians in Jerusalem. "
""If a pauper gives to God, he'll feel like a prince. If a prince doesn't give to God, he'll feel like a pauper.""
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Day 04
Thank God for He Fills
Psalm 107:8-9
8 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
9 for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.
This is a lovely hymn of gratitude and praise to the Lord, where praise and appreciation for God's goodness and eternal mercy run through it like a bright thread from beginning to finish. Usually, when we talk, teach, and study about love in the Bible, it revolves around three subjects: 1)God's love for us, 2) our love for God, and 3) our love for one another. This passage encourages others to thank the Lord for His unfailing love and wonderful deeds. At the same time the psalmist assures us that God will satisfy our thirst and fill us with good things.
The Bible often speaks of hunger and thirst. People are naturally drawn to spiritual things. Even individuals claiming to be unbelievers try to quench that desire with other things, but they never seem enough. It is God who puts hunger and thirst in our hearts. By definition, both mean "having a strong desire, craving, or displaying the need for food or drinks." In reality, however, hunger and thirst are not just for food and drink; humans also crave physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual nourishment. We, as humans, are needy beings, and the Bible says that God satisfies them all. Those who seek Him with their whole heart discover over time that He is indeed the one who helps the thirsty soul and calms the troubled breast. Christ alone is the living water of life, and those who know Him discover Him as a well of refreshing water that springs into everlasting life.
Reflection
Do you still hunger for the fresh touch of God?
Read Psalms 107:8-9 then think, pray, and journal about the verses that apply the most to your life.
Prayer Journal
(Share your thoughts as you pray and write down some of it in the line provided bellow)
Thanks Giving Stewardship Tip
Mark 12:41-44
"Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury.""
Luke 21:1
"Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. "
2 Corinthians 8:12
""For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has,
not according to what he does not have"".
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Day 05
Thank God He Satisfies
Psalm 107:9
9 " "…for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.""
Hunger and thirst are two frequent expressions of a person's basic needs and desires for survival. One of the most evident symptoms of a medical problem is a loss of appetite. It is similar to our spiritual journey. A thirst for drives our basic nature and need for God. God made us in this way. If there is no yearning for God's presence, spiritual trouble may be present. Because of the way human nature is, hunger frequently finds satisfaction elsewhere rather than by turning to God. Things that are not from God can also make us spiritually less hungry, like eating unhealthy junk food and drinks can make us physically feel less hungry and thirsty.
In the same way that the soul yearns for food and water when nature does so in such situations, the Lord satisfies those who hunger for Christ and His grace, a belief in him, and a relationship with him. So many Christians today eat through the day on "junk food" activities and then discover they have no time to "feast" with God. Although we often regret our "busyness" and exhaustion, these feelings usually indicate more spiritual issues than scheduling issues. Apart from God, we want everything. We "consume" God during the day and the week with the undefined intention of making up for lost time on Sunday. Ask God for the satisfying food and drink that He offers through the Lord Jesus Christ, the true bread from heaven, and the living water that quenches our thirst.
Reflection
What usually consumed your day?
Can you make a list of what you are thankful for?
Can you thank the Lord for your daily bread and living water?
Prayer Journal
(Share your thoughts as you pray and write down some of them in the line provided below)
Thanks Giving Stewardship Tip
Deuteronomy 28:8 GNT
""The LORD your God will bless your work and fill your barns with grain.
He will bless you in the land that he is giving you.
Deuteronomy 8:18
You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.
Day 06
Thank God for He Saves
Psalms 107:13-14
13 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.
14 He brought them out of darkness,
the utter darkness, and broke away their chains.
In their distress, they cried out to the Lord. This image shows the suffering and enslavement of God's people.
Due to disobedience to God's will, people in prison darkness pleaded with Him for help, and He granted it. He relieved them of their suffering and cut the chains into pieces. These prisoners were subject to God's discipline; this was pure kindness and mercy from God.
He compassionately responded when they cried out to him. As the psalmist declared, God delivers us from our distress and frees us from the chains of sin that have bound us for so long once we are slaves to sin and bound by slavery!
The gospel's good news is that Christ has destroyed the power of sin and death and has given us new life in Him to live by. We won't always walk perfectly. We will fumble, occasionally repeatedly. The dominion of sin must end for us to be transformed beyond recognition in the eyes of those who knew us previously.
2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." No matter what you have done in the past, if you will turn to God, He will forgive you and deliver you.
Reflection
Is there something you need to confess to Him?
Is there some area of your life that you need to surrender to God?
Prayer Journal
(Share your thoughts as you pray and write down some of them in the line provided below)
Thanks Giving Stewardship Tip
2 Corinthians 9:10-11
10 ""Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.
11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in Thanksgiving to God.
Day 07
Thank God for His Unfailing Love
Palms 107:15-16
15 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
16 for he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron.
The line of Psalm 107:16, "For he shatters the doors of bronze and divides the bars of iron," paints a picture of a prisoner who has to be released. But why should a prisoner be grateful? What is there to be thankful for?
The Lord's unwavering love would be enough to express gratitude for allowing them to live another day. God allowed them to be in that situation so they would know no one else could help them when they cried out.
Is there a time when you feel you are in bondage of sin, fear, and insecurity? We have all made mistakes, failed, fallen, and stumbled and need deliverance and forgiveness. We all had to ask for forgiveness, but once you've done that, move on, knowing that God still wants to pour His blessings into your lives and do great things for Him. David made many mistakes; he committed adultery and even ordered a man to be murdered. But when he repented and sought forgiveness, God forgave him and gave him a new start. David didn't focus on his faults or the things he had done wrong. He lived favorably, being a man after God's own heart.
Psalm 23:6 NKJV
declares, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. Notice, he was expecting goodness and mercy, not part of the time, but all the days of his life. Why not start wishing God's blessings to chase you down? Instead of hoping to get by in life barely, start expecting the goodness of God to overtake you.
Reflection
Do you still feel captive and struggling and looking for a way out so that you can enjoy the promised abundance of the Lord Jesus? Why and how can you be free?
Have you asked God through our Lord Jesus to set you free, or are you doing it using your strength and ability?
Prayer Journal
(Share your thoughts as you pray and write down some of them in the line provided below.)
ThanksGiving Stewardship Tip - Stewardship Scripture
Proverbs 6:6-8
""6 Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! 7 It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, 8 yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest
Day 8
Thank God Who Heals
Psalm 107:19-20
19 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.
20 He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.
Earlier in this psalm, the writer tells us, "Some were fools through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities suffered affliction—Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 107:19-20.
This their way is their folly. The weakness of the body is the effect of sickness. It is by the power and mercy of God that we are recovered from illness, and we have to be thankful. All Christ's miraculous cures were emblems of his healing diseases of the soul.
How many times has God healed, delivered, and set us free using the power of His word? How many times have we prayed about a specific issue about which we were apprehensive, and the Lord would then send us His word? He would put a verse in our hearts or bring it to the attention of our minds, and that verse was exactly what we needed. How often have we said,
"Thank you, Lord, I needed that," as the Scripture came to us in a particular situation and was precisely what we needed at the time? It served as a minister to us, gave us courage, and helped us get through. No matter what circumstance we may be facing, there is a word that holds my deliverance. There is wisdom that flows from the mouth of God.
Reflection
What was the challenging situation that made you cry to God for help, for which you are grateful now that He has rescued you? What's an aspect of your physical health that you feel thankful for?
Who listens when you talk, and how does that affect you?
Prayer Journal
(Share your thoughts as you pray and write down some of them in the line provided below.)
Thanks Giving Stewardship Tip - Stewardship Scripture
2 Chronicles 31:5, 12
""The people responded immediately and generously with the first of their crops and grain, new wine, olive oil, money, and everything else -- a tithe of all they owned. They faithfully brought in the contributions, tithes and dedicated gifts.
Day 09
Thank God for His Unfailing Love
Psalm 107:21
21 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.
A thankful life does not happen overnight; it results from cultivating a thankful attitude for a long time. Being grateful every day turned into being thankful for a week or months and became a lifestyle, but it started with being thankful one day at a time. A bestselling author, Tommy Newberry, said, "After all, if you take care of the days, the years will take care of themselves."
The Bible tells us over and over again to give thanks to the Lord. He has done so much for us; we must express our appreciation for everything. One way to have a thankful life is to list what you are grateful for. Think about your blessings briefly, list five to ten of them, and try arranging them from smaller to bigger. Recording your thanks to the Lord is a great way to start the day and puts you in a positive frame of mind. It will help you focus on the blessings as you go through each day. It took some discipline, but will become a habit when you start.
If you display your gratitude to the Lord by writing it down in a notebook or computer, you will have a record of His favor and faithfulness. You will be able to reflect on the Lord's unwavering love and the beautiful deeds that He has done just for you.
Reflection
Is there a time that you feel it is tough to thank God because of what you are going through? What and why?
Have you ever tried to write down your blessings and thank God for them?
Have you ever testified to others His goodness toward you?
Prayer Journal
(Share your thoughts as you pray and write down some of them in the line provided below.)
Thanks Giving Stewardship Tip - Stewardship Scripture
PROVERBS 11:24–25
"One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.
Day 10
Thank God He Listens
Psalms 107: 22
22 Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy.
Many of us are passionate about or obsessed with more.
More phones, credit cards, clothes, vacations, and toys—we all live in a world that promotes dissatisfaction with our lives. We are constantly bombarded with newer and better things that promise to make our lives more complete if only we would obtain them! If we listen to the world, we will constantly be comparing the lifestyles and possessions of others with our own, and we will always be dissatisfied. We hunger for things, and we have convinced ourselves that we would be happy and fulfilled if we just had a little more.
No matter how busy the schedule or how desperate the circumstances are, we may take a momentary break amid the chaos. We may always take a moment to stop, inhale deeply, and then consider what God has accomplished while joyfully singing about His deeds.
A coffee break with God can offer us the insight and courage needed to keep our priorities and, if necessary, correct our course. No one will likely offer you a break today, but you may give one to yourself.
Reflection
Read our passage today and ask yourself, Can you sacrifice your Thanksgiving offering and tell others about it?
How would you describe the quality of your quiet break with God?
Prayer Journal
(Share your thoughts as you pray and write down some of them in the line provided below)
Thanks Giving Stewardship Tip - Stewardship Scripture
Jeremiah 9:23-24
""The Lord says, ""Let not the…rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me.
Day 11
Thank God with Songs of Joy
Psalm 107:22
22 And let them offer sacrifices of Thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!
Another translation: "Offer thanksgiving sacrifices; tell the world what he's done; sing it out! " We are reminded in this verse of the purpose of the song as a whole—it is a reminder to praise God. The Thanksgiving of an ancient Israelite would come through the prescribed Thanksgiving offerings, and the praise would come through telling His works through joyful singing. This should be your heartfelt response to enjoying and being reminded of God's redemptive work in your life.
David's praise focused on God's glorious deeds and benefits. It is easy to complain about life, butDavid's list gives us plenty for which to praise God: He forgives our sins, heals our diseases, redeems us from death, crowns us with love and compassion, satisfies our desires, and gives righteousness and justice. We receive all of these without deserving any of them. No matter how complex your life's journey is, you can always count your past, present, and future blessings. (Borrowed from the Life Application Bible)
Reflection
1. What word or promise has God spoken over you?
2. Take time and intentionally count what God has blessed you with and give and thank Him aloud.
3. When you sing and praise God every Sunday, does it come from the heart, or is it just a routine thing you do?
Prayer Journal
Share your thoughts as you pray and write down some of it.
Gracious Act of Giving – Stewardship Scripture
Deuteronomy 8:11-14
""Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God… Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God.""
Day 12
Thank God Who Calms the Storm
Psalm 107: 23-25
23 Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters; 24 they saw the deeds of the Lord, his wondrous works in the deep. 25 For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea.
Let those who go to the sea consider and adore the Lord. Ask a fisherman or someone who conducts business by boat if they know anybody; occasionally, people on business trips at sea become caught in a storm and encounter a deliverance they cannot fully understand. How timely it is to offer a prayer at this moment. The Lord's wondrous deeds and impressive creations were seen in the deepest oceans. This brings to mind the heartbreaking scenes of sorrow many people go through in their Christian journeys and the anguish and pain that their conscience may feel. But in response to their pleas, the Lord calms storms and makes the pain they endure joyful. In answering our cries, the Lord turns our storms into calm and causes our trials into joy.
Please note that nothing is said about the storm's direct effect on sin in this situation. It appears to be no more than a representation of how hard life may be and how many uncontrolled challenges exist in this sin-cursed environment. Are you presently experiencing a storm in your life, and you are asking God for calmness? We often find ourselves tossed and in danger due to life's difficulties, much like fishermen may become caught at sea in the middle of a storm too strong to handle. We must acknowledge that there is someone more significant than this storm and who can command this storm to be still, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflection
1. Have you ever asked God the question, "Why me, God? What did I do to deserve this??
2. How do you think God responded to your question?
3. Are you facing some challenging storms in life at this moment?
Prayer Journal
Share your thoughts as you pray and write down some of them.
Gracious Act of Giving – Stewardship Scripture
1 Peter 4:10
10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards ofGod's grace in its various forms.
Acts 20:35
35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ''It is more blessed to give than to receive.''"
Day 13
Thank God Who Rescues
Psalm 1017:26-28
26 They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths; in their peril their courage melted away. 27 They reeled and staggered like drunkards; they were at their wits' end.
28 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress.
This continues our reading yesterday, "Thank God Who Calms the Storm." In summary, the text referred to our hearts being trapped in our throats as we flew through the air and then hit the ground. We were whirling about like a top, spinning like drunks, and unsure which end was up. We may have big plans and goals, which is good. The problem is that when we fail to invite God into these plans, they will hit the ground, and we will catch ourselves spinning, not knowing where to go or what to do. Life is beyond our control. And it is the gift of a merciful God to remind us so that we will learn to depend upon Him.
As Paul said in Romans 8:32, "He (God), who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" His redemptive grace always provides for our blessing and protection through life's storms when we acknowledge our need to rely upon Him for salvation and our needs entirely.
Reflection
1. Are you feeling overwhelmed?
2. Do you have storms bashing and waves crashing that you don't know whether you will be able to survive?
3. Don't forget that God is in control, and as a redeemed child, cry out to Him.
Prayer Journal
Share your thoughts as you pray and write down some of them.
Gracious Act of Giving – Stewardship Scripture
1 Chronicles 29:12
"Riches and honor come from You, and You are the ruler of everything. Power and might are in Your hand, and it is in Your hand to make great and to give strength to all."
James 1:17
Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning.
Day 14
Thank God for His Peace
Psalm 107: 29-30 GNT
29 He calmed the raging storm, and the waves became quiet.
30 They were glad because of the calm, and he brought them safe to the port they wanted."
In a worried world, a peaceful mind might seem like something we rarely have the chance to experience. Peace is commonly defined as the sense of calm, stillness, quietness, enjoyment, satisfaction, and well-being that we feel when everything goes as we like. But peace is not situational; it is not dependent on our surroundings or the absence of troubles. God's peace cannot even be produced on a human level. It is about your secured relationship with Christ Jesus. The Apostle John wrote, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27NIV).
The world has its brand of peace that can be offered to us. Be it pills, drugs, alcohol, relationships, or even a simple denial of the trouble we are facing, failure, doubt, difficulties, guilt, fear, wrong choices, and many other human failures can destroy human peace. God, who abounds in loving kindness and desires to deliver us from trouble, will calm the raging storm of our troubled lives. Then, we will be glad for God's peace as we continue our journey in life, as by His grace, we will reach our destiny.
Reflection
1. Have you ever experienced how God's grace brought you through a storm of life or out of one?
2. How can it be completely free from worry and stress when there's so much to deal with?
3. Read Philippians 4:6 and meditate carefully to see if it is still applicable in your moment
right now.
Prayer Journal
Share your thoughts as you pray and write down some of it.
Gracious Act of Giving – Stewardship Scripture
Matthew 25:21
"His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master's joy!'"
Proverbs 3:9
"Honor the Lord with your possessions and with the first produce of your entire harvest."
============
Thanks Living is
Trusting His Word
Week 3
When you take God at his word, you walk in the fullness of his strength and supply, and you begin to fellowship with him and enjoy his presence, he rewards you. He sends you the very thing you are looking for. He meets your needs, satisfies your heart, and fills you with good things. Your prayers do not go unanswered for God moves to meet your need. And protects you. He not only supplies, abundantly, but he also protects.
Ray Stedman
Day 15
Thank God for His Loving Kindness
Psalm 107:31-32
31 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!
32 Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
These two verses continued to tell us about the fate and deliverance of the seafarers—you can read it from our previous day's readings—their deliverance from such imminent danger in a way that clearly showed God's intervention. It demanded not only gratitude of heart and a song of praise at the end of the storm but that when they came to shore, they publicly acknowledged it in the congregation of God's people. It is always wonderful to read or hear stories from sailors, returning thanks to God in the Name of Jesus for their preservation from shipwreck and, in general, from the dangers of the sea and for bringing them back safely to their own families. Thus, "they exalt the Lord in the congregation and praise him in the assembly of the elders." And is it not something of this kind that the psalmist requires?
Weathering the storms of life can be easier said than done. Becoming a follower of Jesus Christ does NOT mean you will have a pain-free life, and everything will be smooth sailing. This is the lovingkindness of God. He has promised to lead and provide for us, rescue us from sin's prison, heal us of affliction, and deliver us from danger. And we are told that we should be doing this "amid the congregation, or testifying to His goodness and blessing in front of others.
Reflection
1. When was the last time you shared your blessing story with others?
2. Reflect on this statement by author Sam Storms: "One reason we don't give thanks 'with joy" is that we know so little of the profound spiritual blessings that God has provided us in Jesus."
3. Have you ever tried to list your blessings and thank God for them?
Prayer Journal
Share your thoughts as you pray and write down some of them.
Gracious Act of Giving – Stewardship Scripture
Matthew 25:29
"For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have more than enough.
But from the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him."
1 Peter 4:10
"Based on the gift each one has received,
use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God."
Day 16
Thank God for He is in Control
Psalm 107:33-34
33 He turns rivers into a desert, springs of water into thirsty ground, 34 a fruitful land into a salty waste, because of the evil of its inhabitants.
The Lord's ability to bring about transformation is seen in this verse. He has unrestricted power. He has the power to change anyone's way of life and anything's condition. The Lord controls nature, as in verses (vv. 33–39). He is in charge; therefore, if He wants to limit His benefits, He may do so. in addition, if He chooses, He can offer them abundantly. As Job said in (1:21), "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised," accepting that, despite what happened, God is sovereign and in control of everything.
It is also a fact of life; we know that sin brings judgment, and repentance brings blessing. We need to remember that the deliverances we experience come from God's mercy and grace. When we are delivered from weaknesses and distress, our deliverance has not arrived by chance. No matter what we face in our lives, we need to remember that God is working out a plan dictated by His loving kindness and power. He is sovereign and always knows what is best. "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord."
Reflection
1. Have you ever tapped into the power of God that works in you for healing, restoration, and peace of mind?
2. Are you experiencing changes in your circumstances that seem not to be how you expected them to be or is everything going according to plan?
3. How do you explain what Job said; The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away"?
Prayer Journal
Share your thoughts as you pray and write down some of them.
Gracious Act of Giving – Stewardship Scripture
2 Corinthians 9:6-7
"Remember this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver."
2 Corinthians 8:7
7 "Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.
Day 17
Thank God Who Transforms
Psalm 107:35-37
35 He turns a desert into pools of water, a parched land into springs of water. 36 And there he lets the hungry dwell, and they establish a city to live in; 37 they sow fields and plant vineyards and get a fruitful yield.
In our past readings, we see God turning rivers into deserts and springs of water into thirsty ground. He has unrestricted power over nature and our lives as well. In this reading, we can read again about that power, from a dry land area to a body of water that washes the dryness away. "He turns a desert into pools of water." God can transform what is dead and lifeless into something living. A new life that was given purpose and reasons to live in His abundance. Turning a desert into pools of water so that He can bring those hungry to live and settle.
God wants to take every dry, desolate, and barren spot in your life and send refreshing rain to them all. He wants to produce something beautiful in your life that seems hopeless, purposeless, and dry, producing nothing. Whatever barrenness you are experiencing today, take your focus off your problems and instead stay focused on the source of water, which is our Lord and Savior Jesus. He came to give us life and to have it more abundantly. (John 10:10b).
Reflection
1. Has God turned any "deserts" in your life into pools of water?
2. How has God providentially blessed you and the work of your hands?
3. You think what God is doing in your life is small and unimportant.
Prayer Journal
Share your thoughts as you pray and write down some of them.
racious Act of Giving – Stewardship Scripture
Psalm 119:36
"Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!"
Matthew 6:19–21
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Day 18
Thank God Who Blesses
Psalm 107:38
38 "By his blessing they multiply greatly, and he does not let their livestock diminish."
In the previous verse (37), we talk about the people or inhabitants that God led when He turned a parched land into springs of water and let the hungry dwell, and they established a city to live in. God blessed them, so they multiplied greatly in both numbers and business. We must realize that it is the same way with everything we receive from the Lord. Sometimes, we think or have the attitude that salvation is by grace—and everything else we earn and deserve! As if God must multiply or increase what we are doing and what we are planning to do. No, every blessing God gives us is of His grace.
God doesn't "owe" us anything. God wants something for us, not something from us. The gifts we experience directly from God or indirectly through others serve as a reminder of God's grace rather than as a means of payment. Though we cannot repay God for everything He has given us, we may exalt Him through our lives. By being steadfast in our journeys with the Lord, trying our best to follow Him, and putting wisdom into practice daily, we may express our thankfulness to our Lord Jesus and the people who have invested in us. One of the most important attitudes we can adopt is that being thankful for everything results from understanding that everything you receive is a gift.
Reflection
1. Have you ever been in a situation where you felt like a simple "thank you" wasn't enough to express how thankful you felt?
2. What is one blessing from God you wish you could repay Him for?
3. What is one way another person's faith positively impacted your own?
Prayer Journal
Share your thoughts as you pray and write down some of it.
Gracious Act of Giving – Stewardship Scripture
Ecclesiastes 5:10-11
10 Whoever loves money will never be satisfied with money. Whoever loves wealth will never be satisfied with more income. Even this is pointless. 11 As the number of goods increase, so do the number of people who consume them. What do owners gain from all their goods except the opportunity to look at them?
Luke 16:10
10 "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much."
Day 19
Thank God He Secures the Needy
Psalm 107: 39-41
39 When they are diminished and brought low through oppression, evil, and sorrow, 40 he pours contempt on princes and makes them wander in trackless wastes; 41 but he raises up the needy out of affliction and makes their families like flocks.
All is in God's hands, as shown by the phrase "and they are made to decrease." He controls and guides everything. He is the source of all success; if there are setbacks, they are caused by him. As the prophet John the Baptist said, "A man can only receive what is given to him from heaven (John 3:27), meaning you have it because God allows you to have it. But we have to remember that worldly wealth, honor, power, and glory are uncertain things, and it often happens that those who think themselves most secure in their possession are, by unexpected and even extraordinary events, stripped of them all and reduced to the lowest state of poverty and degradation.
However, although there may be a short setback for those who trust God and call out to him, God will never fail to provide for their needs and return them to their destiny, not only for them but their entire family. This may also happen to us in many ways. We may realize that sometimes we don't know why it happens; one time, we are up, and there are times we are down and almost knocked out, but trusting God's will is essential because it is a sign of faith in God and His plans for us. It is recognition that God makes the decisions regarding our lives, not us, and that we have no control over what will happen.
Reflection
1. What does this teach us about one reason we may be in trouble?
2. Is there a time when you felt like you were in darkness? What did you do?
3. What do we learn about God in this passage?
Prayer Journal
Share your thoughts as you pray and write down some of it.
Gracious Act of Giving – Stewardship Scripture
2 Corinthians 8:12–15
"For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. As it is written, "Whoever gathered much had nothing left over and whoever gathered little had no lack."
Acts 20:32–35
"And now I commit you to God and to the message of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified. I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands have provided for my needs and for those who were with me. In every way I've shown you that by laboring like this, it is necessary to help the weak and to keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus, for He said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."
Day 20
Thank God He is Active
Psalm 107:42-43
42 The upright see it and are glad, and all wickedness shuts its mouth.
43 Whoever is wise; let him attend to these things;
let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord.
Here is an excellent application to end our reading series in Psalms 107! In this chapter, we read that our God is active and a God of action. He participates actively in his people's lives. He showers blessings on everyone. He responds to petitions. He punishes disobedient people but forgives repentant people. Everywhere we look, there are stories of God's goodness. However, many people fail to see this truth; instead, they refer to favorable events that occur to them as luck or chance. We need to take some time to reflect on God's wondrous works in us and the world around us. We need to write them down so as not to forget. We must share them to inspire and encourage others and help us remember!
God is a God of action; if you let Him, He'll become engaged in your life. And such is the divine intent of His lovingkindness: that even the most powerful and well-connected persons would recognize their complete dependence on Him and humble themselves before Him. The psalmist ends by encouraging readers to consider these same thoughts carefully. Who is wise, asks Psalm 107:43. Let him feel the lovingkindness of the Lord and pay attention to these things. The goal and aim of this psalm will be achieved if we correctly think about the Lord's love and blessings. We'll be inspired to express gratitude for it. We pray and hope that next time someone asks you, "What is God doing in your life lately?" you will be ready to share some good testimonies!
Reflection
1. What have you learned from our Thanksgiving reading for the past few days?
2. How do you see God's love as He works in your life?
3. Are you ready for our Thanksgiving date?
Prayer Journal
Share your thoughts as you pray and write down some of it.
Gracious Act of Giving – Stewardship Scripture
2 Corinthians 8-9
• Those who follow Jesus should excel in the grace of giving.
• Giving is an expression of the love one has for Jesus.
• God loves willing and cheerful givers.
• A willingness to be generous in giving is more important than the amount given.
• Our giving will result in praise and Thanksgiving to God.
• Our giving should be a natural response to God's gracious gift to mankind.
Day 21
Thank God for our Lord Jesus Christ
2 Corinthians 9:11
"Yes, you will be enriched so that you can give even more generously. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will break out in Thanksgiving to God."
Today's reading is exciting, for this day will prepare our hearts for our Thanksgiving response. But what is essential is that Thanksgiving should not just be a special calendared day in November or December—though it is a special day for us here in our church—it should be a daily practice of reviewing the wonders of God's beautiful love. Thanksgiving is a spiritual lifestyle that reminds us of what the Lord Jesus has done for us. Therefore, God wants us to extend His blessings to others. In summary, the Apostle Paul says, "The reason why God provides, blesses, and prospers you is that you will be a blessing to others. Those who receive your gifts will be helped, will praise God, and will pray for you. As you bless others, you will be blessed."
The world tells us to hold on to as much as possible. But the Bible teaches that the more we give, the more God supplies, so we will have even more to give away. That's why financial success and generosity are inseparable. God wants you to be generous with what you have because if you are, God will give you even more. We become more prosperous by being generous. The Book of Proverbs reminds us clearly: "One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed (Proverbs 11:24–25).
Reflection
1. Are you excited to bring your best Thanks Living gift this Sunday?
2. Pray and review your thanks giving gift.
3. Bring your whole family to the church as you Give Thanks God together.
4. Prepare the best family date after the celebration.
5. Celebrate!
Prayer Journal
Share your thoughts as you pray and write down some of it.
Gracious Act of Giving – Stewardship Scripture
Ephesians 1:3-4
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ."
2 Corinthians 9:7
"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
SONGS
THANKSLIVING Songs of Praise (November - December 2023
Stewardship Campaign)
SONG CARRIER
Thanksgiving (Live) — Gas Street Music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=488HEflx2ao
SONGLIST FAST
I Thank God (feat. Maverick City Music & UPPERROOM) | TRIBL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LM1qrx0Huds
MEDIUM BEAT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oh2goMABFPc
I Will Enter His Gate https://youtu.be/iOXL17g6HvY
He Has Made Me Glad (I Will Enter His Gates) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUPihaH9p-Y
Chris Tomlin - Forever https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6xxWGWpaUQ
Don Moen - Thank You Lord https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sax4aTgZ9dw
That's Why We Praise Him - from "Live at Home" with Tommy Walker https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpzWAyISrHg
SLOW BEAT
All I Can Say (Thank You) | Over It All | Planetshakers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHn6JTFcabg
Thank You - The Katinas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvP6WX5VpjY
Walang Hanggang Pasasalamat https://youtube.com/watch?v=9FWkfJ28oLQ&si=85q7CqFS6p0uMnkl
Gratitude - Brandon Lake | Moment https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vA83MufOCoA
Jireh - Elevation Worshiphttps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mC-zw0zCCtg
Charity Gayle - Thank You Jesus for the Blood (Live) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhU-Omwg2rU
*
PLEASE ADD TOO the
Songs of HLLC 2023-2024 THEME
*
PLEASE add too
ALL HLM-OPUS CREATION Songs as Appropriately NEEDED
============
============
ThanksLiving LifeGroup Guides
WEEK 0
LG GUIDE
Must be used:
NOVEMBER 5-11
TITLE:
Thanksgiving Living
WELCOME
What Do You Think Can Happen in this Year's Thanksgiving SEASON?
WORSHIP
Sing, Pray, Listen to a Song
WORD
1 Thessalonians 5:18
New International Version
18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus
[EXPOUND BACKGROUND & MEANING]
Welcome to our Thanksgiving Celebration Season where we are encouraged and challenged to Worship and Honor GOD for who He is, to remember God’s faithfulness in our lives and to give back to God our best in the most excellent way.
ThanksLiving has the power to bring God’s perspective and focus to our everyday lives!
1
When we thank God for His BLESSINGS it Impacts My Attitude.
The person who recognizes through thanksgiving this wonderful truth; that God has given us everything. It changes our attitude from complaining to being grateful! Nothing could ever satisfy the longing of our hearts except the grace that God had given us!
2
When we thank God for His CHARACTER it Impacts Our Way of Living!
Complaining is contagious, so thus thankful people. We are not only changing our hearts when we choose to be grateful but it affects people around us. So, choose to be thankful and become a blessing to those who are around you!
3
When we thank God for JESUS, it gives us a new sense of Security and Victory!
The results of the gift of Jesus are staggering, truly indescribable. Thankfulness is the proclamation of our trust in the truth that Jesus loved us and gave his love for us!
It results to ThanksLiving!
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1 Are a thankful person?
2. What makes its hard for you to be thankful?
WORKS:
1 Join Thanksliving Campaign using TL Covenant Form.
2 Remind Everyone about our upcoming 144 Party.
3 Join and Invite your family and friends to attend our Sunday Worship Celebration for the next 4 weeks!
WEEK 1
LG GUIDE
Must be used: NOV 13-18
TITLE:
Be Thankful Always
WELCOME
Can you recall a day when a person caused you to be happier and more hopeful?
WORSHIP
Sing and Pray, Listen to a Song
WORD
PSALM 100:4-5 NLT
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. 5 For the LORD is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.
[EXPOUND BACKGROUND & MEANING]
If we can recall our science lessons during elementary school, there is this order of events called the “cause and effect.” As its name suggests, there is a thing called the cause, and it can’t help but have an effect. This is not just limited to physics or chemistry, but it is also seen in our daily lives. What’s going on with a person has a cause to it. When he is grumpy and complaining, it is because a bad thing happened. When he is happy and smiling, it is because a good thing happened. Our passage is an appeal to have an attitude of thanksgiving and the cause for having such. For thanksgiving to arise, we must remind ourselves of God’s goodness, love, and faithfulness. That’s why, during the Old Testament times, altars of stones were built to serve as a reminder for the people of Israel of what God did for them in that particular area. As believers, we are to recall God’s hand in our lives, declare His greatness in our present and future, and walk in the spirit of thanksgiving.
Being thankful always gives us three (3) effects in our lives:
1
We magnify God in our lives.
Being thankful draws us away from ourselves to focus on God.
2
We become hopeful in life.
Being thankful influences us to look beyond our circumstances.
3
We bring positive impact to others.
Being thankful sets the atmosphere of the place where we set our foot.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. Can you recall a particular moment when everybody was complaining? How about when everybody was thankful? What’s the effect on you from both situations?
2. How can this lesson help you become more thankful in life?
3. How can you help others become thankful?
WORKS:
1 Start Reading Daily Reading Guide, found on THANKSLIVING AT HISLIFE FB page.
2 Memorize Scriptures.
3 Invite someone on one of our SWE.
4 Pray for our Thanksliving Campaign
WEEK 2
WEEK 3
 |
| Actual Invitation Cards |
PIONEERING
spirit TEAM
- New LIFE GROUPS
- New LIFE GROUPS
- New THINGS
- New IDEAS
- Redeemed IDEAS
This THANK LIVING Campaign 2023 we will do lots of BELIEVING and DREAMING!
We would like to do some of these ideas below in the spirit of "TEST-DRIVES" in a post PANDEMIC RESTART into a NEW NORMAL!
Here are the NEW IDEAS to be done by the PIONEERING TEAM.
TEST DRIVES are basically experimental studies on how to do ministry that we haven't done before OR WE HAVE PAUSED for a MOMENT (example: Sipalay, Kabankalan, Cebu Second Service, Tacloban, Talisay, QC and others.
Come, lets try to GO BACK and REDEEM .... and also TRY some new innovative ideas SUCH AS THE CATCH UP CHURCHES schedules and format.
READY? SET? GO!
WHAT WILL WE DO?
A
INTRODUCE to other Christian Churches the THANKSGIVING Campaign idea done by HLM through Pastor JR's Mentoring Program.
INTRODUCE to other Christian Churches the THANKSGIVING Campaign idea done by HLM through Pastor JR's Mentoring Program.
Currently there are Three or More Churches adapting the IDEA.
B
START TWO to THREE MULTI Video Churches (RECORDED etc). Example a 130pm Service at HLM AYALA and or in another VENUE. Just to Re-Play what took place earlier.
C
C
Go to New Places and Do the MINI CAMPAIGN.
Example a Four Week thing in DAVAO or NOVALICHES and another NEW AREA or NEW CAMPUS .... Why not San Enrique or CANDONI?
This includes a SURVEY and MAPPING Team SENT.
D
HOUSE CHURCHES Category 4 will be upgraded to be an HLM SITE -- Do we have a CANDIDATE Site? Or Sites?
Wow!!
Yes.... they may pass their CLEARANCE FORM for 21 Days or as ADJUSTED.
E
YOUR SITE may start a NEW SCHEDULE NEXT WEEK! Especially for SITES who have only ONE CHURCH SCHEDULE. PastorJR may come Via a Recorded Message, while the Local Site prepares only the Food, Fellowship, Songs and Prayers.
It takes only 5 people committed to come to pray on that TIME SLOT ... then all will be HISTORY! Why not try this for 5 WEEKS only? This ThanksLiving Season.
Tip: NO BAND, JUST A PRAYER TEAM. NO BIG BIG BIG CELEBRATION, only A PURE CELEBRATION with a NEW SCHEDULE to announce, PLUS A TV READY to Play the MESSAGE (CCF is doing this to hundreds of their Satellites).
F
OPEN a Saturday LIVE Church!
Consecration Time with United PRAISE BAND at the HOP HLM Level 3 of Freedom Facility.
G
Have a SOAK IN FULL Worship Services including PRAYER, where there is NO TIME LIMIT!!!
Do you want to start ONE like this in your SITE?
H
Have your ThanksGiving Sunday in a LARGE VENUE --- A GYMNASIUM!!!
Where you can Sing, Dance, Pray, and Invite all TO GIVE THEIR BEST to the LORD. A MERGING of 2 to 3 or more Schedules can be arranged!!
Can You Imagine the IMPACT?
------
This is exciting!
Are you ready?
Do you have a PIONEERING IDEA?
Do this in a NEW PLACE, VENUE,
A NEARBY CITY from your CITY!
It is called a "stone's throw away" distance Missions Move!!
UNLEASH new Preachers and Teachers for actual SWE. Or the Best Recorded Production played ON LINE or via a TV SET.
I'm seeing a few GOOD MEN AND WOMEN ready to be unleashed here in Bacolod, Cebu, Cagayan, Manila, Negros, Panay and other places.
HalleluYah 💯
------------
THE PIONEERS PRAYER
Early Morning PRAYERS are PIONEER PRAYERS*
Father, I hear the cries of the cloud of witnesses from on high.
They cheer and dare me to go on into the unknown.
I am challenged to go beyond all the familiar places of my present relationship with you.
I know they are right.
I know there is more.
There must be more!
Open my eyes that I may see, and expand my heart that I may receive.
I am jealous of the men and women who walked before me and tasted of better things than that which is today my daily diet.
I hunger to see your earth covered with your glory as the waters cover the sea.
I long for the visible manifestation of your strong arm in the affairs of men…. cause me to thirst for you like the deer in the desert that pants for the springs of living waters.
I thank you for the unsatisfied feelings that you have created down in the very depth of my soul.
As long as you put breath in me, may they never leave me, and may I never settle for the status-quo.
Help me, Father, never to be at peace with the human comforts that surround me and with the applause of men.
Lord, take me by the hand and lead me out of the minefield of my personal weaknesses.
You know everything about me, and there is no hiding anything from you.
I wish not to frustrate your grace in my life.
I present my whole conscious being to the divine work of your Spirit.
Make me more like you.
Destroy the hypocrisy in our hearts.
Let revelation increase!
Let fraternal love abound for the Glory of your Son!
Like your Son, I ask for all the nations of the world in my lifetime.
Let me remember the poor and the needy.
Bless us financially that we may be a blessing to others.
I depend on your supernatural provision.
Father, take me away to that place where I can again hear that still small voice of my Beloved.
I come today for a full checkup.
Update and upgrade me that I may again be fine-tuned to the voice of the Holy Spirit in my life.
I long for the cleft in the rock, the secret place of the Most High.
Hide me. Just you and me until you are ready to share me. AMEN
------------
HABAKKUK 2:!4 (ESV)
For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD
as the waters cover the sea”
------------
BE ALWAYS READY
to COACH people
into STEWARDSHIP!
into STEWARDSHIP!
A SIMPLE GUIDE
21DoTL
21DoTL
COACHING TIP # 1
What We WON’T Do in This THANKSGIVING Campaign
1. We will not pressure anyone to give.
“Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under pressure,
for God loves a cheerful giver.”
2 Corinthians 9:7
2. We will not mix giving with personal promotions.
“Sell my product to the church & I’ll give or I will tithe”.
3. We will not sell junk.
David “I will not sacrifice an offering that costs me nothing."
1 Chronicles 21:26
What We WILL DO – Without Apology
1. We will show how everyone can give something.
It is a myth that some people can’t give anything. (see Mark 12:43)
There are many ways to give - if one is willing to give.
Even those with no cash can make a “commitment-promise” to give.
2. We will ask people to sacrifice.
You cannot become like Christ without learning to sacrifice, and certainly the Body of Christ
is worth sacrificing for.
To SACRIFICE means to willingly give the best I have for a greater purpose.
While we all cannot give the same amount, we all can sacrifice somehow.
This way everyone can have a part.
3. We will be grateful to be a part of what God is doing in our church.
Isn’t it a joy for you to be part of what God is doing here at His Life?
Come to think of it? God is so so so GOOOOD!
GIVING THAT PLEASES GOD & CAUSES ME TO GROW
Many have asked
What We WON’T Do in This THANKSGIVING Campaign
1. We will not pressure anyone to give.
“Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under pressure,
for God loves a cheerful giver.”
2 Corinthians 9:7
2. We will not mix giving with personal promotions.
“Sell my product to the church & I’ll give or I will tithe”.
3. We will not sell junk.
David “I will not sacrifice an offering that costs me nothing."
1 Chronicles 21:26
What We WILL DO – Without Apology
1. We will show how everyone can give something.
It is a myth that some people can’t give anything. (see Mark 12:43)
There are many ways to give - if one is willing to give.
Even those with no cash can make a “commitment-promise” to give.
2. We will ask people to sacrifice.
You cannot become like Christ without learning to sacrifice, and certainly the Body of Christ
is worth sacrificing for.
To SACRIFICE means to willingly give the best I have for a greater purpose.
While we all cannot give the same amount, we all can sacrifice somehow.
This way everyone can have a part.
3. We will be grateful to be a part of what God is doing in our church.
Isn’t it a joy for you to be part of what God is doing here at His Life?
Come to think of it? God is so so so GOOOOD!
21DoTL
COACHING TIP # 2
GIVING THAT PLEASES GOD & CAUSES ME TO GROW
Many have asked
“How do I decide what God wants
me to give?”
6 Questions To Ask Myself:
1. Will I give based on REASON or by REVELATION?
Is my gift just what I think I can afford or is it what God wants to give through me?
2. Does this amount really stretch my faith?
"God is able to make it up to you by giving you everything you need and more so that there will not only be enough for your own needs but plenty left over to give joyfully to others."
2 Corinthians 9:8 (LB)
3. Does it show I value my hope of eternal reward more than material things on earth?
“Use your money to do good... always being ready... By doing this you will be storing up real treasure for yourself in heaven--it is the only safe investment for eternity! And you’ll live a fruitful Christian life down here as well." 1 Timothy 6:19 (LB)
4. Will this amount demonstrate how much I love Jesus and His church family?
"...be a leader in the spirit of cheerful giving.... This is one way to prove that your love is real, that it goes beyond mere words." 2 Corinthians 8:8 (LB)
The 5 Ways YOU MAY GIVE with a HEART fully BLESSED:
1. CASH – Tithes / Offerings
2. PLEDGE – up to December 2023 or TILL THE LORD PROVIDES
3. ASSETS – Land / Jewelry, ETC
4. PLANNED GIVING – make HLM a beneficiary of your WILL
5. EVENTS and ABILITIES – organize and involve others to take part in an EVENT for a CAUSE. Then share proceeds to THANKS 2023.
SUGGESTED STEPS FOR DETERMINING GOD’S WILL
1. Begin by praying every day, “Lord, I want to give sacrificially.
Now please show me how to give a gift that will stretch my faith.”
If you’re married, pray together with your spouse.
2. Give yourself time!
Don’t rush your decision. You’ll find that the longer you genuinely pray “Show me how,” the more ways God will show you, and you’ll be able to give more than the first amount that popped into your head.
3. Plan a family conference to discuss ways to give.
Ask your family members to be thinking of ideas in advance.
Be sure to involve your children, no matter how young they are.
This is a great opportunity to teach giving and faith.
4. In your family conference, ask yourselves aloud these questions:
Regarding our CASH GIFT:
How much cash could we gather by December 3 2023 SUNDAY?
Is there anything we could sell or convert to cash?
Do we have any tangible gift we could give?
Regarding our monthly PLEDGES / COMMITMENT:
Are there ways we could decrease our expenses in order to make a larger commitment?
Are there ways we could increase our income in order to make a larger commitment?
MY PERSONAL GIVING COMMITMENT
A GUIDE FOR DISCERNING GOD’S WILL
(for leaders and anyone who wants to grow more in stewardship)
The most important decision you will make during this campaign will be the decision about your own giving commitment. As a leader, you will help set the standard of commitment for our congregation.
Seldom will a congregation rise above the level of sacrifice demonstrated by the members of the Leadership Team.
1. Will I give based on REASON or by REVELATION?
Is my gift just what I think I can afford or is it what God wants to give through me?
2. Does this amount really stretch my faith?
"God is able to make it up to you by giving you everything you need and more so that there will not only be enough for your own needs but plenty left over to give joyfully to others."
2 Corinthians 9:8 (LB)
3. Does it show I value my hope of eternal reward more than material things on earth?
“Use your money to do good... always being ready... By doing this you will be storing up real treasure for yourself in heaven--it is the only safe investment for eternity! And you’ll live a fruitful Christian life down here as well." 1 Timothy 6:19 (LB)
4. Will this amount demonstrate how much I love Jesus and His church family?
"...be a leader in the spirit of cheerful giving.... This is one way to prove that your love is real, that it goes beyond mere words." 2 Corinthians 8:8 (LB)
The 5 Ways YOU MAY GIVE with a HEART fully BLESSED:
1. CASH – Tithes / Offerings
2. PLEDGE – up to December 2023 or TILL THE LORD PROVIDES
3. ASSETS – Land / Jewelry, ETC
4. PLANNED GIVING – make HLM a beneficiary of your WILL
5. EVENTS and ABILITIES – organize and involve others to take part in an EVENT for a CAUSE. Then share proceeds to THANKS 2023.
21DoTL
COACHING TIP # 3
SUGGESTED STEPS FOR DETERMINING GOD’S WILL
1. Begin by praying every day, “Lord, I want to give sacrificially.
Now please show me how to give a gift that will stretch my faith.”
If you’re married, pray together with your spouse.
2. Give yourself time!
Don’t rush your decision. You’ll find that the longer you genuinely pray “Show me how,” the more ways God will show you, and you’ll be able to give more than the first amount that popped into your head.
3. Plan a family conference to discuss ways to give.
Ask your family members to be thinking of ideas in advance.
Be sure to involve your children, no matter how young they are.
This is a great opportunity to teach giving and faith.
4. In your family conference, ask yourselves aloud these questions:
Regarding our CASH GIFT:
How much cash could we gather by December 3 2023 SUNDAY?
Is there anything we could sell or convert to cash?
Do we have any tangible gift we could give?
Regarding our monthly PLEDGES / COMMITMENT:
Are there ways we could decrease our expenses in order to make a larger commitment?
Are there ways we could increase our income in order to make a larger commitment?
21DoTL
COACHING TIP # 4
MY PERSONAL GIVING COMMITMENT
A GUIDE FOR DISCERNING GOD’S WILL
(for leaders and anyone who wants to grow more in stewardship)
The most important decision you will make during this campaign will be the decision about your own giving commitment. As a leader, you will help set the standard of commitment for our congregation.
Seldom will a congregation rise above the level of sacrifice demonstrated by the members of the Leadership Team.
If we are not sacrificial in our giving, we cannot expect others to be sacrificial.
As you begin praying about your commitment, please keep in mind that our theme is “EQUALSACRIFICE, NOT EQUAL GIFTS.” Obviously, God has not given everyone the ability to give the same amount in pesos. However, God does call us to make the same quality of commitment.
As you pray and consider what your commitment will be, remember - this program involves not only a CASH GIFT on December 3, 2023 but whatever amount God leads you to commit to give over the next months. Most of us can give far more than we initially think by giving it over a 1 YEAR Period. MAKE A PLEDGE :-)
There are 2 Basic Approaches to Giving:
1) I can give based on REASON.
This means I look at what I have, figure out what is “reasonable,” and commit that amount.
It takes no faith to give by reason. Reason asks, “What can I afford?”
2) I can give based on REVELATION.
This means I determine my gift by praying, “Lord, what do you want to give through me?”
This requires faith. When you make giving a matter of prayer, your decision becomes an act of worship. Revelation giving is asking “How much am I willing to trust God?”
Paul said of the Macedonians, “They gave not only what they could afford, they gave even more than they could afford!” 2 Corinthians 7:3
CREATIVE WAYS to INCREASE Your GIVING
Here are some UNLIMITED and Creative ways that could help you with your GIVING commitment this 2023 THANKSGIVING Campaign:
1. Minimize EATING OUT for the next few weeks.
SAVE THAT CASH to be added to your CASH GIFT on December 3 – Thanksgiving Sunday!
2. Hold a personal GARAGE SALE.
As you begin praying about your commitment, please keep in mind that our theme is “EQUALSACRIFICE, NOT EQUAL GIFTS.” Obviously, God has not given everyone the ability to give the same amount in pesos. However, God does call us to make the same quality of commitment.
As you pray and consider what your commitment will be, remember - this program involves not only a CASH GIFT on December 3, 2023 but whatever amount God leads you to commit to give over the next months. Most of us can give far more than we initially think by giving it over a 1 YEAR Period. MAKE A PLEDGE :-)
There are 2 Basic Approaches to Giving:
1) I can give based on REASON.
This means I look at what I have, figure out what is “reasonable,” and commit that amount.
It takes no faith to give by reason. Reason asks, “What can I afford?”
2) I can give based on REVELATION.
This means I determine my gift by praying, “Lord, what do you want to give through me?”
This requires faith. When you make giving a matter of prayer, your decision becomes an act of worship. Revelation giving is asking “How much am I willing to trust God?”
Paul said of the Macedonians, “They gave not only what they could afford, they gave even more than they could afford!” 2 Corinthians 7:3
21DoTL
COACHING TIP # 5
CREATIVE WAYS to INCREASE Your GIVING
Here are some UNLIMITED and Creative ways that could help you with your GIVING commitment this 2023 THANKSGIVING Campaign:
1. Minimize EATING OUT for the next few weeks.
SAVE THAT CASH to be added to your CASH GIFT on December 3 – Thanksgiving Sunday!
2. Hold a personal GARAGE SALE.
You probably have a garage or closet full of unused items that could be converted into CASH.
3. If your schedule allows you, TAKE A PART TIME JOB.
4. Have everyone in your family locate the SPARE CHANGE in your house and begin collecting it all in one giant piggy bank (and let the children give that with JOY this THANKSGIVING SUNDAY).
5. POSTPONE A MAJOR PURCHASE for a few more months in order to save for your Cash Gift.
6. Make CRAFTS AND SELL them to raise ADDITIONAL CASH for your GIFT.
7. Try the BUY AND SELL business.
There are many opportunities for just a small kind of trade that will not distract you from your current job – example: EBUSINESS, Cell Cards, Clothing, Food, Butingtings, pa-KILO Junk, and other services (Car Washing, Tutorial, Wellness Services, Concert for a Cause [for other groups], Busking, Organizing a Sports EVENT for a Cause, and a thousand MORE IDEAS).
WISDOM: Basically, there are TWO BASIC approaches to finding MORE CASH to GIVE:
1) Look for ways to REDUCE your expenses.
2) Look for ways to INCREASE your income.
By using a combination of these two during the next month, you’ll BE ABLE TO GIVE MORE CASH than you thought.
Be CREATIVE! LET IDEAS FLOW!
#ideasBORROWEDandREVISEDtoFIToccassion
3. If your schedule allows you, TAKE A PART TIME JOB.
4. Have everyone in your family locate the SPARE CHANGE in your house and begin collecting it all in one giant piggy bank (and let the children give that with JOY this THANKSGIVING SUNDAY).
5. POSTPONE A MAJOR PURCHASE for a few more months in order to save for your Cash Gift.
6. Make CRAFTS AND SELL them to raise ADDITIONAL CASH for your GIFT.
7. Try the BUY AND SELL business.
There are many opportunities for just a small kind of trade that will not distract you from your current job – example: EBUSINESS, Cell Cards, Clothing, Food, Butingtings, pa-KILO Junk, and other services (Car Washing, Tutorial, Wellness Services, Concert for a Cause [for other groups], Busking, Organizing a Sports EVENT for a Cause, and a thousand MORE IDEAS).
WISDOM: Basically, there are TWO BASIC approaches to finding MORE CASH to GIVE:
1) Look for ways to REDUCE your expenses.
2) Look for ways to INCREASE your income.
By using a combination of these two during the next month, you’ll BE ABLE TO GIVE MORE CASH than you thought.
Be CREATIVE! LET IDEAS FLOW!
#ideasBORROWEDandREVISEDtoFIToccassion
============
FROM WIERSBE COMMENTARY on the OLD TESTAMENT
PSALM 107
The emphasis in 105 is on Israel’s exodus from Egypt and in 106 on God’s longsuffering care of His people.
Psalm 106—107
This psalm focuses on the Lord’s redemption of the nation from captivity in Babylon (vv. 2–3).
While the circumstances described in the psalm could be experienced by almost anyone, they especially apply to what Israel had to endure while in captivity.
The word “redeemed” is often used in Isaiah to describe this great deliverance (Isa. 35:9; 43:1; 44:22–23; 48:20; 62:12).
Note the words describing their plight: adversity (v. 2), trouble and distress (vv. 6, 13, 19, 28), misery (vv. 10, 26, 39), labor (v. 12), affliction (vv. 17, 41), destruction (v. 20), oppression (v. 39), and sorrow (v. 39). The psalmist begins by urging us to give thanks to the Lord for His goodness and mercy (lovingkindness), and he closes by exhorting us to be wise and learn from the mistakes of other people (v. 47).
The people described in this psalm needed God’s help, either because of their own folly or because of circumstances beyond their control, and they called on the Lord and He delivered them.
Five specific situations are described involving people who lose something valuable.
When You Lose Your Way (vv. 4–9)
It was a long way from Babylon to Judah and the dangers were many, but the Lord brought His people safely home (Ezra 1–2; Isa. 41:14–20; 43:1–21). In their need, they cried out to Him (vv. 6, 13, 19, 28) and He brought them out, led them through the wilderness, and brought them to their own land where they found cities to live in. During their journey, He provided food and drink for them (see Luke 1:53; Jer. 31:25). Surely they would want to give thanks to Him for all that He did for them (vv. 8, 15, 21, 31).
When You Lose Your Freedom (vv. 10–16)
These people were in prison (vv. 10, 14, 17) because they had rebelled against the Lord, a good description of the Jewish people exiled in Babylon (2 Chron. 36:15–23). They violated their covenant with the Lord, and He had to discipline them (Lev. 26:33; Deut. 28:47–48). God used Cyrus, a pagan king, to set His people free (Isa. 45:1–7, and note 45:2 and 107:16). Anyone who rejects God’s message of life in Christ is imprisoned in sin, and only Jesus can set him or her free (Luke 1:79; 4:18ff.).
When You Lose Your Health (vv. 17–22) Again we meet rebellious fools who deliberately disobeyed
God’s law and suffered for their folly. The “gates of death” (v. 18) led into sheol, the land of the
dead (9:13; Job 17:16; 38:17; Isa. 38:10). The Lord heard their cries and stopped them at the very gates and permitted them to live. They did not deserve this blessing, but such is the mercy of the Lord. In Scripture, sickness is often used as a picture of sin and its painful consequences, but not all sickness is the result of sin (John 9:1–3; 2 Cor. 12:7–10). Because the Lord healed these repentant rebels, they should praise Him, sing to Him, and bring thank offerings to Him. In verse 20, the Word of God is compared to medicine that God sends for their healing. This reminds us of the three people Jesus healed from a distance: the centurion’s servant (Matt. 8:5–13), the demonized girl (Matt. 15:21–28), and the nobleman’s son (John 4:46–54).
When You Lose Your Hope (vv. 23–32)
Being away from home and living as captives in Babylon was to the exiles like being on a boat in a terrible storm (see Isa. 54:11). The Jews were not a seafaring people like the Phoenicians, but Solomon did carry on a lucrative trading business (1 Kings 9:26–27). In the previous two pictures (vv. 10–22), the people were in trouble because they sinned against the Lord, but these sailors didn’t cause the storm that almost drowned them. This is one of the most powerful descriptions of a storm at sea to be found anywhere in literature. The crew had used every device they knew to save the ship, but to no avail, so they called on the Lord for His help. Not only did He still the storm (see Luke 8:22–25), but
He guided them to the right port (John 6:21). This wonderful deliverance should motivate the sailors to
give thanks to the Lord personally, to exalt Him in the sanctuary worship, and to bear witness to the leaders of the people. The thanksgiving continues to expand! There are no hopeless situations in God’s sight, for He can do the impossible. Nobody but the crew and the Lord saw the miracle, so it was up to the grateful crew to spread the word and give glory to the Lord.
When You Lose Your Home (vv. 33–43)
The approach changes and the focus of attention is not on the people in trouble but on the Lord. He can turn the garden into a desert and the desert into a garden (Isa. 35; 41:18; Deut. 28:1–5). God can judge the land because of the wickedness of the people who live there (v. 34; see Gen. 19:24–28), and He can also heal the land and bless it because of the faith and obedience of the people. This is a part of His covenant relationship with Israel (Deut. 28:15, 22–24, 58–59, 62–63). If necessary, the Lord can summon foreign armies like Babylon to invade the land and use them to chasten the leaders (vv. 39–40; Job 12:21, 24). However, His purpose is not to destroy but to cleanse, and He will restore the blessing to the land and the people (vv. 41–42). This closing paragraph (vv. 39–42) reminds us of Mary’s song in Luke 1:46–55. And what should we learn from these five pictures that depict God’s power and mercy in action? To be wise and heed the Word of God (v. 43; Hos. 14:9). Yes, God shows His love and mercy to the disobedient who repent and call on His name, but our Father would rather share that love with obedient children who would enjoy it more (2 Cor. 6:14–7:1).
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