Thanksgiving

This is personal.

Define

Gratitude is powerful. It is a sin-conquering force.

When Potiphar's wife tried to seduce Joseph, he was able to resist her sexual advances because he saw his position as a gift from God through Potiphar. (Genesis 39:8-9) Thankfulness occupied so much space in Joseph's heart that there was not enough room for the ingratitude of sexually sinning with Potiphar's wife.

Lust is powerful. So is coveting. Both are the fruit of ingratitude. Gratitude and ingratitude cannot cohabit the same space at the same time. It is one or the other. And thankfulness is the stronger power. Lust is no match for it.

How thankful we are reveals the health of our souls. Simply put, the more thankfulness is present within us, the less vulnerable we are to sin. 

Read

Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 5:18-20

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
Colossians 3:15

I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart;
    I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
Psalm 9:1

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.
Ephesians 5:3-4

Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Psalm 100:4-5

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.
Psalm 106:1

Declare

Let's take some time to declare our thankfulness to God, for specific things he has done for us.

We will sing here, before moving on to Supplication.