ALWAYS THANKING GOD
(Eph 5:20)
"Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;"

Years ago there was a preacher known for his giving of thanks in all things. One bitterly cold, blustery, snowy day, as he stepped into the pulpit, a member of the congregation said to himself, "1 wonder what he could possibly thank God for today". As the preacher opened the meeting with prayer, He began by saying, "I thank you Father, that not everyday is like this one."

We all have our good and bad days, how can it be that we can give thanks always for all things? What about financial problems, health problems, marital problems, or the loss of our loved ones? Certainly, there is nothing in those things to cause thanks and praise. I agree, but if we allow God to help us in those times, and we follow His direction, drawing closer to Him, He can get us through. Imagine trying to face these problems without His help. Thank God that He is there and willing to help in our time of need. God can be trusted to see us through and He has the power as well as the desire. Christians are able to thank God continually because of:

GOD'S PURPOSE (Rom 8:28)
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
Regardless of what we face in this world, God can bring some good out of it, if we allow Him and not circumstance to be the tbcus of attention. He is able to work in the good times and in the bad. Not all things are good, but all things can help to strengthen us as God works in our hearts and lives. God wants to help . All too often we allow Satan to draw our attention away from God and we miss the benefits only He can provide. Let God be the center of your attention and ask Him to show you how you can overcome regardless of the trouble you face. Also

GOD'S PROMISE (1 Cor 10:13)
"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
All of us go through these times of trial. The word translated "temptation" can also be translated "testing", they are the same word in Greek. We are tempted by Satan, the world and our own flesh to turn away from the path God would have us follow. Yet, God in His great love and mercy can use that time to help us grow and strengthen us in our relationship to Him. The key is to trust God to bring it about. The next time you have some problem that seems overwhelming, remember this verse. God has gone on record to tell us this truth. He will set limits on what we have to go through, and He will provide us with the help we need when we need it. Thank God for His marvelous help. Then there's

GOD'S PROVISION (2 Cor 9:15)
"Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift."
The word "unspeakable" is translated in the NIV as "indescribable". In other words, the gift of God is so great, words cannot express the worth. This gift speaks of our Lord Jesus Christ. All we need for time and eternity is tbund in Jesus. As the hymn writer put it, He satisfies, all our needs He supplies. We thank God because He offers more than His help, He offers Himself Regardless of what you are going through, Jesus is with you. His promise, "1 will never leave thee nor forsake thee." (Heb 13:5) And finally, consider

GOD'S POWER (2 Cor 2:14)
"Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place."
There is victory in Jesus. Notice, our victory is in all things, if we allow Christ to be in charge. Will you turn that problem, difficulty or circumstance over to Him? Let Him show how He can get you through, meet your need and give you His strength in your time of weakness. Remember the words of our Lord Jesus to Paul, "My strength is made perfect in weakness."(2 Cot 12;9). He is saying the same to us today. The more we feel our need of Him, the more we wilt experience His power to help.

The famous writer, Rudyard Kipling, at the peak of his career, was asked by a group of college students to send them what he thought was his best word. They enclosed 10 shillings in the letter for the word. He sent back this reply, THANKS. Happy Thanksgiving.