"Therefore,
let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of
our lips GIVING THANKS to His name." (Hebrews
13:15)
Thanksgiving (eucharisteo, from
which we get the word Eucharist) means to be aware of our blessings and be
filled with gratitude. Thanksgiving opens the vaults of the treasures of the
Kingdom.
Tonight as I write this
newsletter, another story about Jesus "Lifting up His eyes" came to mind. In
recent newsletters, we've been talking about many other stories in the
Scriptures are about "Lifting up our eyes."
(John 11:41-43) At the tomb of
His dear friend Lazarus, Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, "Father, I
THANK YOU THAT YOU HAVE ALREADY HEARD ME."
Imagine this kind of assurance! Jesus didn't need to beg or intercede. A
command to the dead was all that was needed, "Lazarus, come forth."
We SEE that the Father hears us
BEFORE we pray (John 17:1-2). This is why we can be thankful.
Thanksgiving is a holy
declaration of what we SEE when we LIFT UP OUR EYES. Let's remember some of the
incredible personal things that should stir a spirit of thanksgiving in our
heart. Let the fruit of our lips give thanks as we confess our Thanksgiving blessings
out loud together (using I, we, and/or you):
The Love of God
The God of love has an unfolding
plan of LOVE for me. I can live without fear - being certain of this LOVE.
1.
I am a brand new creation in Christ.
2.
I am not who I used to be! Thank the Lord.
3.
I am destined to spend eternity with God. My
eternity is NOW.
4.
I have already been delivered from all the
powers of darkness.
5.
Christ died for a total forgiveness of my past
and present sins. I am pardoned from
sins because of that inestimable gift of God.
6.
I am already a joint-heir with Christ.
7.
Jesus died to restore me to the dominion
authority of the Garden.
8.
I am now seated in heavenly places with Christ.
9.
I am already co-crucified with Christ (Rom. 6:6,
11, Col. 3:1-4). We have already died. We don't need to die to our old man any
longer. Wrongly emphasizing our personal sacrifice to need to continually die,
denies the power of the resurrection. When Jesus died, we died.
10.
I am already co-buried with Christ (Col. 2:12,
Rom. 6:3-4).
11.
I am already re co-resurrected with Christ (Col.
3:1, Rom. 6:9).
12.
My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.
13.
The fullness of the Godhead bodily dwells with
me.
14.
I am already co-seated in heavenly places with
Christ (Eph. 2:5-6).
15.
I am already made alive together with Christ
(Eph. 2:1-2, 1 Cor. 15:23).
16.
I am already partners with God for His plan
concerning every living human being.
17.
I am already part of Christ's body today on
earth.
18.
I am already a ROYAL PRIEST (1 Pet. 2:5).
19.
I have the power to draw near God's presence and
fellowship with Him there. I have the
ability to communicate to others the power of a life within the veil.
20.
I can access total sozo for my body, soul, and
spirit. I can become whole in this
lifetime.
21.
Every day is holy, set apart, and designed for
me.
22.
I can become God's honored representatives on
earth.
23.
I am not of this world (James 4:4, 1 Jn.
2:15-18).
24.
I can overcome evil with good (Rom. 12:21).
25.
I was created for His glory (Is. 43:7). I have
been given the power to manifest His breathtaking glory on earth.
26.
I can ask the Lord of the harvest for laborers
and for rain on behalf of all humankind, that they be brought to repentance by
the goodness and love of God. I can lift up my eyes to see the provision of
God. For the Lord will hasten to perform His Word and reveal to His people the
abundance of peace, truth, health, prosperity, deliverance, safety, and
abundant life.
27.
I can put on His love and walk in absolute trust
and confidence of His power, wisdom, and goodness.
28.
The Spirit of Death has no power over me.
29.
I don't need man's approval, distorted ambition,
self-exaltation, or popularity. I do not
have to flinch in sacrifice, hesitate in adversity, negotiate with the enemy,
or wallow in the maze of mediocrity.
Be encouraged to add to this list
what God has done in your life specifically. You will find a recharging in your
soul. Let the joy of the Lord be released.
In
everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning
you (1Thes. 5:18). Giving thanks always for all things (Eph. 5:20).
Joy is what happens to us when we
allow ourselves to recognition how good things really are.
Lord, We lift up our eyes and
give you thanks because the heavens are already open!
Dr. Kluane Spake
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