THE POWER OF THANKSGIVING

Thanksgiving is showing appreciation or expressing gratitude to someone who has done you a favour. Thanksgiving to God means expressing our gratitude to Him for all He has done. It is an essential part of praise. It is the door that leads to praise. One who is not thankful cannot praise God (psalm 100:4). Thanksgiving is the key to the entrance of God’s presence. Ingratitude can deny one entrance into God’s presence (psalm 92:1) (psalm 34:1).

          Thanksgiving is recommended in all situations of life (1thessalonians 5:18). A life that is full of thanks never lacks the presence of God (psalm 103:1-6). We must be conscious so as not to forget the good deeds God has done for us (psalm 78:40-44). Thanksgiving for current level is a stepping stone to greater heights. Thanksgiving to God provokes his appearance in the scene of any battle or challenge we face. God is the giver of all good things and deserves thanksgiving for all of life's achievements (James 1:17) (john 15:5).

Importance of Thanksgiving:

1) It is God’s will (1thessalonians 5:18).

2) It secures the presence of God in the life of a believer (psalm 100:4).

3) Thanksgiving provokes God’s attention (Philippians 4:6).

4) Thanksgiving brings about multiplications (John 6:11-13).

5) It brings about restoration of dead blessings (John 11:41-42).

          Sacrificial thanksgiving is thanking God when all seems to work against you (Hebrew 13:15). It provokes a swift move of the hand of God in every adverse situation facing us as Christians.

CULTIVATING A LIFESTYLE OF PRAISE

  

God intends for us to become His dwelling place through praise (psalm 22:3). Humans are used to complaining often when things don’t go as we planned them to but Praise is a better option. Praising God means exalting honouring and applauding God for who He is in His greatness. Praising God in challenges is an acknowledgement of the fact that God is greater than them and is Able to see you through them.

          God’s desire for a family was the reason for creation of man. God created man to give Him pleasure (revelation 4:11) (1peter 2:9). We are created to praise God and make the people around us praise Him through our lives (Isaiah 43:21). Praise is a beautiful thing for the righteous to render to God (psalm 33:1).

WHY PRAISE GOD?

1) Praise God for his greatness (psalm 145:3)(psalm 48:1-2).

2) His goodness and mercies (psalm 118:1).

3) He is God over us (psalm 121:3).

4) For all the uncountable things He has done (psalm 111:1-3) (exodus 15:11).

5) For His deliverances (psalm 106:7-8).

          Everyday in the life of a Christian is a day to praise God. Life itself is more than enough reason to praise God; for only the living can praise God (Philippians 4:4)(psalm 34:1). Praise God regardless of any odd circumstances for it is the will of God for us (1thessalonians 5:18). As Christians, when we are faced with certain contrary circumstances a joyous shout to God is the quickest remedy (Psalm 35:27).

REQUIREMENTS FOR PRAISE

1) A Heart of Gratitude: we should be thankful to God for everything He has done; no matter how little.

2) Assurance of the fact that God loves and cares for you (Isaiah 43:1-5) (1john 3:1).

THE MYSTERY OF PRAISE

 

          A mystery is something that is hidden and not open to all. The mystery of praise refers to the hidden facts of praise that is only open to God’s children. Praise is a very important part of the Christian life (psalm 67:4). Praise is a command from God.

WHAT IS PRAISE?

Praise can be referred to as glorifying, adoring and giving God the recognition He deserves. It means lifting God above every other living or non-living creature or situation. God created man for His own pleasure (genesis1:26) (revelations 4:11). Praise gives God pleasure and we are created to give God praise (1peter 2:9).

          Praise is a secret to victory in the Christian life (psalm 22:3). Praise accomplishes situations faster than prayers. Praise provokes the release of God’s presence; prayers are delivered by Angels. God’s presence destroys everything that is contrary to His will when we praise (psalm 68:7-8). Praise makes a Christian a habitation of God.

          Access into God’s presence is guaranteed by praise (psalm 100:4-5). Praise gives the boldness to enter God’s presence. The reason most prayers are nullified is because they weren't garnished with praise. Testimonies of God’s good works are a component of praise (psalm 44:1-3). David was a man full of praises and thus he carried the fullness of God’s presence as king and God loved Him (psalm 89:20).

WHY PRAISE?

1) Praise empowers our faith as Christians (romans 4:17-21).

2) Praise shifts our focus from our problems and places it on God.

3) Praise helps us in rising above the challenges of life.

4) Praise shows trust in God (psalm 25:1-2).

          The kind of praise that moves God is that which comes from the heart and is not fueled by our needs but by our gratitude. God accepts praise made out of a heart that indeed loves Him.

THE DAYS OF PENTECOST

           

The Pentecost is not an event but a dispensation. We still live in the days of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit has been present since creation (genesis1:3&26).the Holy Spirit is coequal with God (1john 5:7). In old times, the Holy Spirit only came upon men for special purposes but never dwelt permanently in man; just like in the case of Samson.

          Jesus ministry was accomplished totally by the help of the Holy Spirit- He was born of the Holy Spirit and was baptized of the Spirit (Luke 3:21-22) (Luke 4:14). Jesus never performed any miracle before the Holy Spirit came upon Him. Though Jesus was God he came as a man walking in the Holy Spirit (acts 10:38). Jesus offered himself as a sacrifice for us by the move of the Holy Spirit (Hebrew 9:14) and He was also resurrected by the Spirit (Romans 8:11).

         The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost was prophesied by the prophets from the Old Testament (Isaiah 32:15-18) (Joel 2:32). Jesus promised His disciples the coming of the Holy Spirit as a comforter to His disciples (john14:16-17) (john15:26) (john16:7-15).

          The Holy Spirit is a person. He is intelligent and can communicate effectively. He is the Spirit of truth-the highest form of reality, not fact. The truth is God’s word concerning every situation which the Holy Spirits brings to us Christians by means of Revelation.

          The Holy Spirit was sent to the earth by God to continue the ministry of our Lord Jesus in a multiplied form by dwelling in Christians around the world. Jesus asked His disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit for power (Luke 24:49) (acts 1:8). The power of the Holy Spirit is the principle reason for the Pentecost and it is given for Christians to witness the risen Christ (acts1:8).

THE PURPOSE OF PENTECOST

1) The Body of Christ- which is the church- was born on the day of Pentecost. It was the first time Jesus disciples became born again (acts 2:1-11). Boldness came upon the disciples to preach the gospel of Christ on the day of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit empowered the disciples to do the same miracles Jesus did while He was on earth (Acts3:6-7) as promised by Jesus Christ (John 14:12).

2) The Holy Ghost came to bring down the supernatural power of God upon the earth (Ephesians 3:19).

3) The outpouring of the Holy Spirit is for service.

HOW TO RECEIVE THE POWER OF PENTECOST

1) You must be born again (2corinthians 5:17)

2) You must be yielded to God (Romans 12:1-2). You must die to yourself and be alive to God.

3) Ask of God in faith and you shall receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

THE AGENTS OF SIN

There are two potent weapons of satan which he uses to lure men into sin:

*Deception: (Ephesians 6:10-11) Satan is a cunning creature who uses deception as a major weapon in his works.

*Temptation: Satan tempts people into committing sin. Satan tempted Eve and also deceived her to eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Jesus was tempted at all point but did not fall.

          Satan has no power (Matthew 28:18) but he uses temptation to bring men under his control just has he did to Adam by tempting him for Adam’s earthly dominion (psalm 115:16). Satan looks for our weaknesses/vulnerability in the flesh and tempts us through it.

          As Christians, we should give close attention to our points of vulnerability and avoid indulging in it. Wrong associations and company would further heighten your temptation. We must avoid whatever and whoever would bring us to temptation. Most crucially we shouldn't put ourselves in compromising situations deliberately. Temptation is one of the greatest weapons of the devil.

AGENTS OF SIN:

1) Immorality: fornication and sexual immorality is a major agent of sin (1corinthians 6:18). Immorality is destructive and can lead to spiritual death (Numbers 25:1,9)( 1corinthians 3:17).

2) Fraud and Corruption: Money is a good servant but a poor master. The love of money leads to sin and thus destruction (2kings 5). Corruption in power is a major reason for political killings and violence all over the world today. The cure for corruption is contentment; we must always be content with where God has kept us (1timothy 6:6).

3) Lies: satan is the father of lies. Christians should desist from lies for it is not of our Heavenly Father God. Integrity should be the lifestyle of a Christian.

4) Rebellion: rebellion is a common practice in the world today. The Ten Commandments given to Moses warns against rebellion and God frowns at it (exodus 20:12). God expects us to respect the authority of parents and spiritual heads in the churches.

HOW TO OVERCOME SIN:

1)  Repentance (1john 1:9)(proverbs 28:13).

2) Flee from anything that seems evil (1corinthians 6:18).

3) Surrender totally unto God (romans 12:1-2). We must change our minds and thinking perspectives.

          The Ultimate help from the bondage of sin is help from the Holy Spirit achieved through steadfast prayers and worship (John 16:8).