Be Thankful

              In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

                                                                                                                                              1 Thess. 5:18

           As we approach the end of 2011, many reminisce on all that has transpired throughout the year;  where we were to where we are today.  A time to see all that God has done for us; after all they say hind sight is 20/20.  In other words, to take time to express our thankfulness. We should be grateful to God for all things!  Thanksgiving is the aspect of praise that gives thanks to God for what He does for us. Ideally, thanksgiving should spring from a grateful heart; but it is required of all believers, regardless of their initial attitude.

               In Nehemiah 12:8 we read that there were 6 men set up over the THANKSGIVING. It is interesting to note the order and the meaning of these six men’s names.

1.      JESHUA - “the one who saves” JESUS CHRIST is the one who saves and the one who must be first in our lives

2.      BINNUI  -  “to make repair” This passage is in Nehemiah where they are rebuilding the walls; the work of Christ is to repair                 our lives. (Isaiah 61:1)

3.      KADMIEL  -  “The Presence of God “ O to be in the presence of God, let us not take it for granted!

4.      SHEREBIAH – “The Fire of God”  The word fire is mentioned over 549 times in the Bible. It is figurative for many things, but more specifically as a refining or purifying fire as referenced in Malachi 3:3.

                                                    The Fire of God is the birthing place of praise.

5.      JUDAH – “To Praise the Lord”  “And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. 4 Then shall the offering of JUDAH (PRAISE) and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD...” (Mal.3:3)

 (1 Peter 1:7)  “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto PRAISE (JUDAH) and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:”

GOD TAKES YOU THROUGH THE FIRE…...SO THAT YOU CAN PRAISE HIM THE MORE.

6.      MATTANIAH – GIFT OF GOD Thank God for the Holy Ghost! (Acts 2:38). We need not to neglect it. (I Tim.4:14) We must put it into practice. (II Tim. 1:6)

             “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;  Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”  (I Peter 2:9)

If life has clouded your attitude of thankfulness here are the top six reminders of being thankful.