1. Thanksgiving NOT ONLY a Thanksgiving Day BUT Thanks living A Thanks living attitude

2. 17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: 18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 19 The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.

3. We all have troubles from time to time. You know you’ve got trouble when.... * Your birthday cake collapses from the weight of the candles. * You turn on the news and they're showing emergency routes out of the city. * Your twin sister forgets your birthday.

4. 1. The pilgrims had come to their new land 2. They experienced a good harvest. 3. But they also experienced many hardships 4. In spite of losing half their number they gave thanks to God, made History, and influenced an entire country

5. 1. He loved God enough to thank him in his distress 2. How can a person be thankful in the midst of difficulties?

6. Economic conditions may change but God doesn't - v.17

7. 1. The FIG TREE will not blossom 2. No fruit on the VINES 3. The OLIVE trees will not produce 4. The FIELDS will yield no harvest 5. The CATTLE and the SHEEP are lost 6. HABAKKUK SAID, "I’LL JUST THANK GOD ANYHOW!"

8. 1. They changed in Egypt (7 years of famine) 2. They changed for Job (he lost everything) 3. They changed during the great depression 4. They change in families due to loss of health or bad investment

9. 1. Mal 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. 2. Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and forever.

10. Vs. 18

11. 1. Everything about us is fragile 2. Life itself is uncertain 3. You are ALIVE! The only people who do not have problems are those in the cemetery. If you have problems, it simply means you are alive. 4. Trouble is a matter of perspective.

12. 1. It is promised in the Bible a)John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (KJV) b)John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that hears my word, and believes on him that sent me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

13. 1. It is promised in the Bible c)1 John 5:11-13 “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

16. John 14:1-6 1 Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know. 5 Thomas said unto him, Lord, we know not where you go; and how can we know the way? 6 Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by me.

17. 1 Pet 1:3-4 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in heaven for you.

18. Even in trials, we can triumph through Christ - v.19

19. 1. Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 2. Isa 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. 3. Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthened me.

20. 1. That means swift and graceful 2. Don't think it strange when you desire to serve God and then seem to encounter a severe time of testing. God's purpose at every juncture of testing is to make the person more valuable. 3. Warren Wiersbe noted that when God permits his children to go through the furnace, he keeps his eye on the clock and his hand on the thermostat.

22. 1. That's HIGHER GROUND 2. You may be on the lower ground for now, but God will bring you up to higher ground eventually. 3. You may be going through trouble right now, but its just a matter of time until He lifts you up out of it! ANYHOW So you can just THANK GOD ANYHOW!

23. Jer 32:27 Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?

24. This passage of Habakkuk speaks of a mind that has been weaned from earthly enjoyments and finds its highest pleasures in the presence of God. One which thanks God in spite of what the circumstances are.

25. The same thought is found in the N.T.: 1 Thes 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

26. RIGHT NOW!