We all like to think we are thankful and we may be.  But are we thankful in ALL things?  Can we really be thankful for the trials that come our way?  This is another topic that is easy to talk about but more difficult to put into practice.  Even if we can eventually understand the concept, the difficulty of doing it will become evident when the storms of live arise.  This study looks at the foundation for the concept and then some practical application.  Giving thanks to God is a form of prayer that I am sure He never tires of hearing.  The key in our prayer life is give thanks frequently and to pray for the attitude of thanksgiving in our daily walk.  When it permeates our life, we will become much more gracious and joyous and we will better know the peace and contentment that comes only from God.

Following is the introduction to the lesson.

Part 2

Having an attitude of thanksgiving.  Can I truly be thankful in ALL things?
Sunday School, Cornerstone Church of Blaine
February 15, 2009

In Part 1, Trust, we discussed the fundamental importance of trusting God fully.  We looked at the questions, "Do I fully trust God?" and   "Can I honestly and expectantly pray, Thy will be done?"  We discussed what Paul meant when he said, "I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am."  We looked at what was meant by "working out our salvation", which is speaking to our responsibility to walk obediently in the process of our sanctification.

Part 2, Thanksgiving, is twofold in its purpose.  First, it will enable us to be better at trusting God as we focus on His blessings that we enjoy, and second, we must trust God to be truly thankful.  To the first point we can say that reviewing the blessings we enjoy will help us to reflect on the provider of those blessings.  As we do so, our confidence grows in God as our provider.  Working through all of our blessings to the smallest item that we take for granted reveals how we have absolutely nothing apart from God.  When we realize this truth as a matter of fact in our lives, we are freed from our prideful bent that seeks self-sufficiency and independence.  We can submit to His Lordship, as He is our provider for everything we have, seen and unseen.  To the second point we can say that to give thanks to someone we don't trust, although we claim to, is a backhanded compliment.  It is saying, "Thank you, but..." How sincere is that kind of thanks?  If someone thanked us in such a manner, we would be left with a rather hollow feeling.  It would be barely better than not being thanked at all.  Thanksgiving is a result of, as well as a support for, our loving, trusting relationship with God, our Creator.

This will be a 4-week Sunday school class: February 8, 15, 22, March 1.

Cornerstone Church of Blaine

• Part 1 -Thy will be done.  Do I truly trust God?
• Part 2 -Having an attitude of thanksgiving.  Can I truly be thankful in ALL things?
• Part 3 -Do my religious teachings apply to real life hardships?
• Part 4 -What is the source of my trials and why must I endure them?

The above lessons can be found online at my web site, www.truthdrivenllc.com .  Follow the forum link to the Spiritual section, Sunday School.

Perseverance - Overview
Perseverance - Part 1 - Trust
Perseverance - Part 2 - Thanksgiving
Perseverance - Part 3 - Religious Teachings
Perseverance - Part 4 - Why

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