LIFT UP OUR EYES-THANK THE LORD

"Therefore, let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is , the fruit of our lips GIVING THANKS to His name."      (Heb. 13:15) In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you (1Thess. 5:18). Giving thanks always for all things (Eph. 5:20). 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. Opposite of Thanksgiving:  Ungratefulness, Complaining and Murmuring Examples: 1.   Hebrew children, "Nor let us . . . grumble, as [Israel] did, and were destroyed by the destroyer" (1 Cor. 10:9-10). 2.   Some of his disciples "Do not grumble among yourselves" (John 6:43) 3.   Judas Paul warned that, "in the last days . . . men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips" (2 Timothy 3:1-9). "Lifting up our eyes." "Whatever is true, whatever is honorable . . . is right, whatever is pure . . . lovely . . . of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things" (Phil. 4:8). Remember, Paul was writing to people in the ancient Roman world. It was full of evil, full of injustice, full of reasons to grumble and be upset; but instead, God calls His people to a higher realm, where we dwell on the things that are above. (John 11:41-43) At the tomb of His dear friend Lazarus, Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, "Father, I thank 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 God of love has an unfolding plan of LOVE for me. I can live without fear  --being certain of this LOVE. I am a brand new creation in Christ. I am not who I used to be! Thank the Lord. I am destined to spend eternity with God. My eternity is NOW. I have already been delivered from all the powers of darkness. Christ died for a total forgiveness of my past and present sins.  I am pardoned from sins because of that inestimable gift of God. I am already a joint-heir with Christ. Jesus died to restore me to the dominion authority of the Garden. I am now seated in heavenly places with Christ. 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. I am already co-buried with Christ (Col. 2:12, Rom. 6:3-4). I am already re co-resurrected with Christ (Col. 3:1, Rom. 6:9). My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. The fullness of the Godhead bodily dwells with me. I am already co-seated in heavenly places with Christ (Eph. 2:5-6). I am already made alive together with Christ (Eph. 2:1-2, 1 Cor. 15:23). I am already partners with God for His plan concerning every living human being. I am already part of Christ's body today on earth. I am already a ROYAL PRIEST (1 Pet. 2:5).  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. I can access total salvation for my body, soul, and spirit.  I can become whole in this lifetime. Every day is holy, set apart, and designed for me. I can become God's honored representatives on earth. I am not of this world (James 4:4, 1 Jn. 2:15-18). I can overcome evil with good (Rom. 12:21). I was created for His glory (Is. 43:7). I have been given the power to manifest His breathtaking glory on earth. 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. I can put on His love and walk in absolute trust and confidence of His power, wisdom, and goodness. The Spirit of Death has no power over me. I am thankful that we 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. 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).