Focus on the Family III Being Thankful for Our Families

Being Thankful for the “GOTS” and the “NOTS” GOTS NOTS

Scriptural Direction “Thanking is an Attitude of Gratitude” Psalms 95:2-…come before His presence with Thanksgiving Amos 4:5-…offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving Eph 5:20-…Giving thanks always for all things unto God I Cor 15:57-…thanks be to God Who gives us the victory

GIVING THANKS FOR OUR FAMILY One of the most important things to be THANKFUL for is our family Three letters I have found – To my MOM when I was 10 – To my DAD in 1970 (44 years ago) – From my SON Caleb All of these are some of my prized possessions

It’s Easier to Be Thankful for the “GOTS” than the “NOTS” A DAD’s STORY----

The Metaphor The Parable of the Father, Prodigal Son and his Brother is a Metaphor FOR: – Abba Father and US – Us and our Family Key ATTITUDES of the Metaphor are: – Prodigal----DISRESPECTFULNESS – Father THANKFULNESS – Older Son--RESENTFULNESS

FOUR WAYS TO BE THANKFUL for the “GOTS” and NOTS” CAST YOUR FRUSTRATIONS AND DISAPPOINTMENTS ON THE LORD (2 Cor 10:5) (I Peter 5:7) CELEBRATE THE “GOTS” CALL WHAT IS “NOT” AS IF IT WERE-Rom 4: CLAIM THE PROMISES OF GOD by FAITH

Paul’s BY FAITH THANKFULNESS FOR THE FAMILY Eph 1:16---I Cease not to give THANKS for you… Eph 3:14, 15--…For this cause I bow my knee unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Of whom the whole FAMILY in heaven and on the earth is named Eph 5:20-Giving THANKS always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

7 THINGS TO PRAY and by FAITH be THANKFUL FOR IN YOUR FAMILY “FROM EPHESIANS”

#1-Revelation of Jesus Eph. 1:17 “Thank God, by FAITH, my family has the spirit of WISDOM, REVELATION and KNOWLEDGE of JESUS”

#2-THEY are CALLED Eph 1:18 “Thank God, by Faith, my family is responding to Jesus’ CALL and to their CALLING”

#3-Inheritence Eph 1:17b- Thank God, by Faith, that my family knows the richness of His GLORY of His INHERITENCE in them

#4-INNER POWER Eph 1:19 Thank God, by Faith, my family walks in the exceeding greatness of God’s POWER in them

#5-God’s LOVE Eph 3:18,19 Thank God, by Faith, that my family COMPREHENS God’s LOVE to them and His LOVE shines through THEM

#6-HUSBAND/SONS LOVE THEIR WIVES Eph 5:33a “Thank God, by Faith, my Husband loves me and my son’s LOVE their wives”

#7-WIVES/DAUGHTERS RESPECT THEIR HUSBANDS Eph 5:33b Thank God, by Faith, my wife RESPECTS me and my daughters RESPECT their Husbands

LAST THING TO BE THANKFUL FOR God is not done with your FAMILY Ephesians 3:20

LET’S PRAY FOR AND BE THANKFUL FOR OUR FAMILIES