BE GIVING THANKS

by Tammy Phillips
November 22, 2023

In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (1Th 5:18 KJV)

Want to accomplish the will of God?  In everything, in every circumstance be giving thanks, be giving thanks for all our favorable gifts, our grace gifts.  The focus scripture todays does not say “for.”  It states “in” everything give thanks.   The word “in” denotes a fixed position in place, time, or space.  “In” expresses where we are, the time we are in, and the space we are in.  “In” means where you are currently.  God is not surprised with our circumstances. He knows where we are, and He is there with us. 

When everything in life  appears good, it seems much easier to give thanks. Right?  Giving thanks is a place.  Giving thanks is a fixed position where God wants us to stay no matter our circumstances.  God does not change.   1 Thessalonians 5:18 clearly states it is the will of God concerning us to be grateful.

Brothers and sister, we are nothing and have nothing without the grace of God.  When we recognize this fact. We are obliged to give thanks to Him in everything.  It is the place we must stay.  It is where we must be. 

So, when I was sitting in church and heard the brief, powerful testimony of Melissa (WHO WAS HEALED OF STAGE FOUR CANCER) and Billy Wall  (click link to listen!), I was overcome and so thankful to God.  You know why? 

1. Melissa was miraculously healed from stage four metastatic stomach cancer, her life was spared, and her life was changed!
2. Melissa and Billy turned to, trusted, and believed the Lord.
3. Since God did it for her, He will do it for you. He will do it for me.

When their video testimony ended, I wanted to jump up and down for Jesus.  I wanted to whoop and holler for God, better than if my favorite Georgia Bulldog had scored another touch down.  I was the first clap loudly which ignited a small “golf clap” from the large gathering.  The crowds response broke me. I began to weep uncontrollably.

“Was this all the thanks that God was going  get? Were we not going to stand to our feet and so GOOOOOOO, GOD, SICK’EM?  Were we really not go to praise Him?” 

Be careful what you pray!  You better mean it.  Remember, I had just recently asked the Lord, “for opportunities to make Jesus famous and to be used for His glory?”  Well, Melissa and Billy had used their pain as a glorious testimony to promote God’s fame.  It was my turn. 

The Holy Spirit jumped on my shoulders and said, “Let’s go cheer this crowd on.” WHAT? He was not letting this go, “You are and encourager. Go encourage!” I resisted!  All the fears (“You’ll look crazy! What if the pastor says, NO! Why are you judging the people?) were whispering in my ear attempting to discourage, but Holy Spirit was swatting them away like flies. I had a job to do…encourage the crowd. YIKES! I still say yikes.

I left my seat on the very back row and walked to the front to find Freddy T, our pastor.   I expressed to him my heartbreak and that I want to give a few words of encouragement.  To quote Pastor, “The Lord had impressed on my heart that we would have a testimony which is not the normal for me.” Thanks for listening, Pastor.   I would not have given up my mike to me. (haha)  Only a loving, good Father would prepare the way for me to step on the stage to what seemed like a packed out Neyland Stadium and encourage the crowd to not golf clap for Jesus.  God healed a woman of stage four cancer, and He deserved the thankfulness and full praise of the crowd for His great work. 

Note! I was there to encourage and to lead a cheer for Jesus.

[There is] therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. (Rom 8:1 NKJV)  

In retrospect, I wish I had started the chant, “Let’s Go, God! Let’s Go, God! Let’s Go, God!”  or “Glory, Glory to great Jesus!  Glory, Glory to great Jesus!  Glory, Glory to great Jesus, and to heck with Satan’s neck!”

So, you think I am a Jesus fanatic?  Yes! I am.   Why is it ok for you to be fanatic about the arts, food, football, basketball, baseball, soccer, and hockey?  What have they done for you lately?  Let me tell you what my Jesus has done. HE HEALED A WOMAN or two! HE SAVED US ALL!

I enCOURAGE you to be giving thanks in everything.  Do not hold back.  Jesus is the indisputable Champion of the world. He fights our battles leading us to victory.  He died for us. He deserves our thanks and our praise.  Give it up for God!!!!  You have a whole day set apart for Him tomorrow. HAPPY THANKS-GIVING!

Viva Magenta:  Live. Breathe. Be giving thanks!