1. Focus on the Family III Being Thankful for Our Families

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

4. 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

5. 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

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

7. 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

8. 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 4:17- 21 CLAIM THE PROMISES OF GOD by FAITH

9. 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

10. 7 THINGS TO PRAY and by FAITH be THANKFUL FOR IN YOUR FAMILY “FROM EPHESIANS”

11. #1-Revelation of Jesus Eph. 1:17 “Thank God, by FAITH, my family has the spirit of WISDOM, REVELATION and KNOWLEDGE of JESUS”

12. #2-THEY are CALLED Eph 1:18 “Thank God, by Faith, my family is responding to Jesus’ CALL and to their CALLING”

13. #3-Inheritence Eph 1:17b- Thank God, by Faith, that my family knows the richness of His GLORY of His INHERITENCE in them

14. #4-INNER POWER Eph 1:19 Thank God, by Faith, my family walks in the exceeding greatness of God’s POWER in them

15. #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

16. #6-HUSBAND/SONS LOVE THEIR WIVES Eph 5:33a “Thank God, by Faith, my Husband loves me and my son’s LOVE their wives”

17. #7-WIVES/DAUGHTERS RESPECT THEIR HUSBANDS Eph 5:33b Thank God, by Faith, my wife RESPECTS me and my daughters RESPECT their Husbands

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

19. LET’S PRAY FOR AND BE THANKFUL FOR OUR FAMILIES