Gratitude

00:02 >> Amen. >> [clears throat] >> Last Sunday of the year. Good good to see all of you here because all the others are gone. They're traveling. We are called the remnant. Every year I say this. The remnant. Okay, let's do the confessions together. I believe [snorts] in the almighty God, our father and creator. I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, God and my savior. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin. He suffered, died, and rose again. He ascended into heaven. He shall soon come again. I believe in God the Holy Spirit, who is worshipped and my guide. I believe in holy fellowship, faithful giving, and service to God in this church. I believe the Holy Bible is the perfect word of God. I am what it says I am. I have what it says I have. And I can do what it says I can do. Today, as I learn the word of God here in my spiritual family, I'm blessed, healed, and anointed for a holy and victorious living. I will never again be the same

01:06 in Jesus' name. Amen. The Lord bless us. Please be seated. One of the The word magic is not the correct word, but one of the things I don't understand is last Sunday and today, most people in our church, they're traveling, you know, for different different things. And we understand. I mean, this is a pattern we've seen from the last 25 years. So, the two times of the year, no? The after Christmas, just before Christmas, after Christmas, and in the month of May. Month of May when the summer vacations come, large numbers travel. Okay, that we understand. We pray for them. Many of you are participating online. Come back fast. We're waiting for you. Okay? We love you. We're waiting for you. But what I don't understand is, with this situation also, Christmas service Palace Ground was full and overflowing. That that's what I

02:08 >> [applause] >> Pastors were telling me, >> [clears throat] >> "We want to know who are these people in Palace Ground? Because our crowd, our church, most people are traveling. But that place is overcrowded and uh or they were telling me, during the service, they brought a few thousands of chairs uh to manage the additional crowds. So, earlier I used to ask, I think till 5 years ago, I used to ask, >> [snorts] >> "How many attended Christmas service? How many didn't attend?" All these questions I used to ask. Now, I stopped asking because few years I did all this exercise and I have no idea. I'm saying all this for people who ask me, "How many people were there in Palace Ground?" Were you there? That's all what matters. The Lord was there. Were you there? That's all that matters. >> [applause] >> I am not interested in numbers. I'm more interested in the Lord Jesus.

03:14 That one is greater than all the other numbers. >> [applause] >> Amen. We should be large in numbers. We should get biggest crowds in the city should be in the house of God. I believe in that. We must grow larger. We must be lakhs of people worshipping God together. We must not only rent out, we must buy out the stadiums to have church, you Absolutely. [applause] Absolutely. I am a firm believer in these things. But I don't like to talk numbers. I don't like to talk how many were there. I'll tell you why, because many times uh unfortunately, many people think that numbers are the smartness of a uh group of people or church or anything. I firmly believe that's not the case. Maybe the church has something to do with it, but I think it's more about the plan of God, the grace of God. It is something sovereign that we don't

04:16 understand. So, that's why I took 3 minutes to talk about that. Today is a special Sunday. >> [snorts] >> Somebody was asking me, "What is special?" So, I told them I don't know. Somebody else asked, "Are you giving food to everybody?" I said, "Yes. We are giving food to everybody. The food is by the definition of the Bible, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of >> [applause] >> Actually, earlier we used to do earlier we used to do, but then we stopped because we figured out that different people like different foods. You know, uh people from different communities, they like different foods. Some people like English food. Some people like South Indian food. Some people like

05:19 North Indian food. Some people like specific spices. How to make all these things, you know, because each one likes different. So, we decided we'll stick to the Bible. In Bible, the Bible food is a good palate for everybody. It's a good uh for everybody. And the Bible talks about the importance of having a heart of thanksgiving. Today I want to study with you on the importance of thanksgiving. This is something we have heard many times, but uh it's a good thing to hear it again. The scripture talks about a heart of thanksgiving. And year end should become a time of joy, not a time of depression. Unfortunately, year end becomes the time where people drink more alcohol. They take more drugs. There are more tranquilizers

06:22 uh for peace of mind, mental health medications that are sold during the This is worldwide. Okay, this is a worldwide stats. Sold [snorts] during the season. Why? Because people sort of get uh depressed for whatever reason. Maybe the weather. Um it could be other things. But the scripture tells us that these are milestones where should be thankful to God. And instead of being depressed, we should be joyful before God. See, one of the big problem is that we sometimes don't realize. Let me ask you something. Have you gone to a beach? And if you have gone near the seashore and spent a lot of time, spent 2 3 hours at the seashore, walk there, sit there, or maybe you went on a ship, or you went on a boat. You went to the sea. When you lick your lips, it's salty. All of a sudden, your lips become salty. Why? Because the very atmosphere in the sea area is full of salt.

07:28 The salt of the sea contaminates even the evaporated water and the atmosphere has so much saline content in it. Today, with social media, we live in a world where comparison is so high. Even if you are clean, it affects you because you live in that atmosphere. There is no way we can run away from it. We're living in a culture where people are not happy with what they have. They want more. For what? Nobody knows. They want [snorts] more. They want more. One young lady in our church, and I don't mean in any way to demean that. Okay, I'm just saying it as an example. This young girl, she doesn't want to get married. She's in our church. God bless you. I am not commenting on people's choices. I'm just saying one experience. She said, "I don't want to be married, but uh pastor, I want you to pray for my house." So, I said, "Okay, I'll come and pray." And uh she said, "No, this is uh Actually, I had a doubt because I

08:32 remember uh going and speaking God's blessings on her new house sometime back. So, I was thinking, "What is this?" But I didn't want to ask. Then she said, "Pastor, I've taken a new house. So, I want you to come and bless." So, I didn't ask, "What about previous house?" I just said, "Okay." When I went there, she said, "Do you remember my old house?" And I said, "I kind of remember." She said, "Yeah, that had only two bedrooms. This has three bedrooms. I upgraded." I wanted to ask, "For what? How many bedrooms you'll sleep in?" But I didn't want to say anything because each one has rights to whatever, you know, their perspective of life, and I respect that. Um So, after a few minutes, she told me, "All my friends are into second investment and into larger investment, so you know, I just wanted to do this." And I said, "Superb." And I prayed with her. I appreciated her choices. And I I believe it's good that believers have more houses because

09:34 sometime God will tell you to give it to us so we can give it to those who need a house. So, buy some extra. It's a good thing, you know. But uh and some you can open for prayer groups, etc. But the point I'm making is that we are actually living in a world where even if you are not interested, like this young lady I'm talking about, she's a very spiritual person. She's not a worldly person. But the world in which we live makes us a line. It pushes us into a thinking where we need more. It's not a problem. Having more is not a problem. Problem is when you don't respect what you already have. That's where the problem is. Where you don't respect what you already have. And it goes to a extent where you can't respect the color in which God made you. You can't respect the abilities God gave you. You somehow want more things which you don't have. You can't value what you already have. You only value what others have. This is not from the Holy Spirit.

10:39 That's why the Bible says, learn to thank God for what you have. Learn to be thankful for what you have. When the Bible says to be thankful for what you have, Bible is not saying don't aspire for more. In fact, the Bible commands you should aspire for more. You should have bigger dreams. You should ask God for greater things. But you should learn to be thankful for what you have. Learn to value what you have. Learn to appreciate what you have. Learn to look to God and say, Father, you never did anything average. You made me and I believe I'm excellent by your grace. >> [applause] >> Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Amen. Failure to clap for these things to God is the proof that your thankfulness is low. Learn to appreciate God's work in your life. What you made of it may not be great, but what God made is great. >> [applause]

11:46 >> Many times God made us so wonderful, but we what we do with that time, what we do with our choices, what we do with our opportunities may be something that is not uh you're something proud of. That's a different thing. But what God made is always great. And you can always go back to what God created. This whole thing about if only I get that promotion, oh I would be happy. If only I got that marriage, oh I would be blessed. If only I had that kind of a child, oh my life would have been different. Oh, if I got that kind of a house, trust me, that never happens. When you get what you really thought will change your life, you will suddenly realize that also comes with a headache. That also comes as a responsibility. That also comes as a burden. There is no blessing in this world that does not come with responsibility. Everything comes with responsibilities. And therefore, it is important to be thankful. And this if I get that, if I

12:50 get this, actually stops your fulfillment of life. It stops um you from enjoying what God has given you. And this whole thing about dissatisfaction of life, you know, uh because of what others have, because of what others say. The other day I heard one man, he was preaching on how people should find the right partner in life. How to find the right partner in life. And uh I was impressed with uh that talk and I thought I should inquire. When I inquired, I found this fellow just went through a divorce. And has decided he won't marry again because he believes that God has given him a call where there is no lady in the world who can match that call. That kind of a fellow is teaching others. You know, I don't know what will happen. Really, if this kind of this is what the Bible says, blind leading the blind. You know, we live in that kind of a world where fellows who have nothing, you know, the

13:54 other day I saw there's a conference, online conference. I don't know how it came to me, but anyway, it came to me. Online conference. One theologian, okay, he has no church background, he's never been a pastor. He's going to teach pastors how to pastor. I don't know what to say for all these things. This is like a bachelor boy telling a pregnant lady how to give birth. What do you what do you know? You know, you never been a mother, you never know how to have a child, you don't know how to take care. You fellow, you have no knowledge, but today everybody becomes a guru of things they have no idea about. Be very careful. We live in a world where people have no idea what they are talking. But God knows what he is talking. God knows what he is talking. [applause] And therefore, obey what God says. Amen.

14:55 If people talk, listen to it only if it is in keeping with God says. If it is not in keeping with what God says, do not pay attention. Do not value those words because you have no idea if they are qualified to say it or disqualified. >> [clears throat] >> You cannot find fulfillment in what God has given you unless you learn to be thankful. So, gratitude is not just a sentiment, it's not just a feeling. It's actually a leadership force where you lead yourself in the will of God and you lead people around you in the will of God in the strength that God gives you without [snorts] the problem of burnout or scarcity. This is very important. See, one of the reasons why people go through this difficulty and they Okay, let me say it differently. How do we develop gratitude attitude? How do we develop a Thanksgiving attitude? Instead of uh

15:58 feeling ownership, we should feel stewardship. Ownership is entitlement. It says, I earned this, it is mine. Stewardship says, everything I have is given by God. There's a difference between entitlement and stewardship. Entitlement says, I deserve this, it's mine. I'm not accountable to anybody. But stewardship says, everything I have is something God gave me with a purpose. The problem with ownership mentality is it makes people arrogant. It makes people control everything. It makes people have everything without sharing. In India, the gap between the rich and the poor is increasing in a alarming way because of ownership mentality. Stewardship mentality says, I'm humble, Lord, by all what you gave me. I'm so happy for everything I have, what you have given, and I surrender it for your greater purpose. I'll enjoy it, but I'll

17:02 also have your will done through it. The attitude is very different. People who have ownership mentality, when an accident happens, when a loss happens, there is alarm, there is panic. There is uh anxiety, [snorts] they lose control, they they go into shortcuts. They don't mind doing uh immoral things. >> [clears throat] >> They have no problem with immorality because >> [snorts] >> they're ready to do anything to get what they want. But stewardship, people who know everything they have is from God and God has a purpose. When they go through bad times, they know God is in control. We'll keep walking. God will make a way. They manage >> [applause] >> they manage not only what they have, even what they lose, they manage it effectively and well. Amen. Hallelujah. The identity of ownership mentality, people who have an ownership mentality, those who can't be thankful to God for

18:04 what they have, their identity is based on what they have. Uh you know, every time they have something new, their identity is upgraded based on what they have. But those who have a belief that everything I have is given by God, I worked for it, yes, maybe I deserve it, but it's something God has given me for a greater purpose, their identity is I am not given this to rule others. I'm given this to serve others. There's a big difference between the two. I'm not given this to rule others. I rule things, but I serve people. And that attitude is what builds society. This is why Apostle Paul takes us to 1 Corinthians chapter 4. Let's read verse number 7. For who maketh thee to differ from another? And what hast thou that thou did not receive? For now, if thou did receive it, why do thou glory as if thou had not? Amen. I'm going to ask, why didn't thou

19:07 say amen after thou heard it? So, the Bible is saying, shift your identity from ownership, this is mine for ruling, into stewardship, this is mine to serve greater purpose of God. In both the cases, you're going to have abundance, but with one, you're going to destroy yourself, with the other, with stewardship, you're going to build yourself for God's glory and grace. Hallelujah. Mother Teresa will be respected even if she has no money. But Ambani and Adani, I doubt. That let it let your identity identity not be what you have. Let your identity be who you are. >> [applause] >> Am I helping anybody? Useful? That's good.

20:10 One of the principles of the scripture is a leader who believes he is self-made is very dangerous. There are some people who believe they're self-made. Uh well, in in one sense maybe you're right in the fact that no one helped you and you kind of built yourself. Fair enough. Uh you it's good to be proud about who you are. There's nothing wrong in being proud about who you are. Self-esteem is a blessing. But the problem is when you feel no one else contributed to your growth, uh you are wrong because you learned from others, including the language you speak. You know, you didn't invent the language you speak. If you did, no one else would understand you. We all learn from others and it's important to have a spirit of gratitude. Humility is really the quiet strength that builds trust and invites loyalty. >> [clears throat] >> You know, people automatically become loyal to you simply because you have a sense of respect for others. You have a sense for

21:13 love for others. You have a sense of gratitude for others. This just happens, you know? Uh We are looking at projects. We are looking at doing things for God. And uh as I was discussing uh about starting of some things, this person was asking me, "Pastor, really this is such a huge thing. How are you going to start? Um I mean, what are your financial resources? Why do people invest?" And I was telling them, "It's simple Bible principle. You follow the scripture, God will give you people who love you, trust you, and want to do something for God in and through your life. It just happens. You don't have to do any drama for that. You know, your life will be blessed of God when you learn to be thankful. Many times when I go home on a Sunday, one of the things that I say is, "God, thank you for giving me such wonderful people that I can serve in your name. Thank you for the opportunity." And I Now, [clears throat] behave well, okay? I have told God you all are wonderful people. Okay? And I tell God, "God,

22:17 these are such fantastic guys you've given me. Thank you so much." You know? >> [applause] >> Value what you have. Thank God for what you have. Amen. Last night also I said to God, "Lord, thank you for my beautiful wife, my lovely children. Thank you, Lord, for the church, each member, each person who comes. Thank you for them. Thank you for those who came to me for prayer. They trust you will work. Thank you for the pastoral team you surrounded me with. Take time to thank God and be sincere about it. Don't just say thanks just for ticking the box. You know, oh wedding is coming. Call that uncle, otherwise there'll be a problem. Don't call God like that. This is a thing about big fat Indian weddings. You know, we call all the people who don't like us just to show them where we are. Or let them also see. Or to avoid further problem, better to call them.

23:21 You know, all these funny things. Don't do with God. With God, be sincere from your heart because he can match your words and your heart. >> [applause] >> It should match. Be thankful. Thankfulness, it rewires your brain. The way God has created our brain, okay? We are able to detect negative things. It's very important. It's very important. So, it's a it's a it's a good thing that God has done that [snorts] we look for trouble and we're able to detect it so that we are able to take appropriate steps to protect ourselves. And that's a good thing. You know, someone got into the lift with you, looked at you and said, "You smell [snorts] so nice." And as a lady, you know if this is creepy or this is genuine or this is That that that is a gift God has given. Many men don't know it. That's the problem. So, it is uh It is important that you don't shut down the ability to be critical in thinking. Critical thinking is a good thing.

24:26 So, so you know how to protect yourself. Now, many people think thankfulness works against it. No, thankfulness does not work against critical thinking. Discernment is important. Being thankful doesn't mean you won't be discerning. Being thankful only means you will not only discern the negative and always be protective, but you also should start discerning divine opportunities, escape routes, and you will walk in the strength of God almighty. That's what thankfulness does. >> [applause] >> Amen. Hallelujah. An unthankful heart will always see trouble and problems, but a thankful heart, the Bible says in the book of James, with every trouble he will provide a way of escape. You want to see the way of escape? You've got to have a thankful heart. I'll come to some scriptures to show you that in a few minutes from now. This this whole thing about decision-making in life, uh only looking at negative is not a good thing. Decision-making should be built in

25:29 security, in confidence, in the fact that God is with us. Without ignoring the threat factor, without ignoring the intimidation, but we must trust God for his plan and solution for our life. That's why the Bible says, let's read 1 Thessalonians chapter 5, a very popular verse. Give thanks [clears throat] in all circumstances, for this is the >> [cough] >> Very interestingly, Bible doesn't say give thanks for Bible doesn't say give thanks for all circumstances. You can't thank God for some circumstances. How do you thank God for accidents? How do you thank God for pain? It's It's sometimes difficult. But in the pain, you can be thankful to God that he's with you. You can't be thankful for all circumstances, but you can be thankful in all circumstances. Hallelujah. So, what happens? Whether

26:33 you're in a good circumstance or a bad circumstance, what is being produced from you is Thanksgiving. What is being produced within you are the vibes of worship. And that's what God likes to see. And really, there's a study done on all of these things and I was very impressed with the study. And they say when you have gratitude and you're thankful to God and and all of that, even See, when you're in a bad circumstance, most of the brain activity happens in the area which um uh symbolizes functioning during stressful times. But when you move into a Thanksgiving attitude, the brain activity circumstance hasn't changed. You're still in that circumstance, but brain activity moves into the creative zone of the brain. The zone of the brain that works creative solutions, creative things. You know, all of a sudden that area of the brain starts working. You know, God has created us in such a way that if you follow scriptural principle, irrespective of your religion,

27:35 irrespective of your background, if you follow scriptural principle, you will have divine blessings flowing in that place. God has manufactured us like that. >> [applause] >> That's why Psalm is David said, "You have created me fearfully and wonderfully. Marvelous are your works, oh God." >> [applause and cheering] >> Hallelujah. Amen. So, uh a cynical person, a person who's always negative, a pessimist, cannot see what a person of thankfulness can see. There is a color blindness depending on attitude. Therefore, people who are thankful, they are not naive. People who have gratitude, they are not foolish. They can discern what is bad. They can discern what is negative. But they have the added dimension of seeing by the grace of God what God has for their future. I was asking God while I was praying, "God, what's the difference between gratitude and transaction?" Okay? Thanksgiving and transaction. Now,

28:38 I'll explain [clears throat] my question to you. Now, somebody did something good for me. I want to do something good for them. Is that Thanksgiving or is that transaction? Correct. So, that was even what I felt. So, I was wondering now, when someone does good for me, going doing good back for them, if it's transaction, then I shouldn't be doing. But then, how do I show Thanksgiving? So, I started studying the scripture on how to keep my life a life of gratitude and not business, not transaction, not trading. And I found three simple things in the scripture. One, the source of gratitude is always appreciation for what God has done through somebody in your life. >> [snorts] >> But the source of transaction is a sense of obligation. They did that, let me do something. A sense of obligation. I want to finish that off. That is not an act of Thanksgiving. An act of Thanksgiving comes from They really helped me and I want to be a

29:41 blessing to them. In other words, sometimes transaction and gratitude can look the same. Only God knows the difference because the difference is deep inside. Hallelujah. Amen. See, this is why I have problem with so many people who preach give to God, God will give you back. You cannot become transactional with God. Jesus didn't die on the cross and save you with his blood to make you a business partner. >> [snorts] >> He died on the cross and shed his blood to make you a child of God. >> [applause] >> You know, the very doctrines of faith get corrupted with this wrong give to God and get See, when you give you will get back. That is a fact. But the motivation should not be transaction. The motivation should be love for God Almighty. Whether you give me or no, I will give you, oh God. I will love you, oh God. I

30:44 will praise you, oh God. >> [applause] >> Are you all learning something here? The spirit of gratitude is what God wants the church to have. The second thing is the sense of expectation. When you do things out of gratitude, you're not expecting anything back from them. You're just feeling thanks and you want to bless them. You want to say thanks to them. You know, you want to give them whatever. That's That's out of gratitude. But a sense of Let me give back to them so next time they'll give something more. It's transactional. Giving with expectation is transactional. And we all go I go through that sometimes. Oh, we did so much for them. Why they're doing like this? I'm trying to grow in the Lord. I think we all have areas to grow. That's why God's kept us alive. The third is The Bible talks about how when you walk in gratitude, how you will

31:48 build trust with God. God See, we all trust God, but can God trust us? God tends to trust those who are thankful. And the same in the society. People who are thankful usually have more trust. It's a social capital. But people who use others through giving, trustworthiness is very low. In the Bible, you have a beautiful passage. The Lord Jesus was one day walking with his disciples. This actually shows you 90% of the world how they are. 90% of the world is like this. Jesus was walking with his disciples. 10 lepers. It's a famous story in Luke chapter 17, I think. A famous story. They came and they began to cry out, "Lord, we are lepers. Heal us, Lord." The Lord Jesus stood

32:50 and said, "Okay, go and show yourselves to the priest." Why? Because nine out of the 10 were Jewish people. One was a Samaritan. So, looking at the majority, the Lord said, "Go to the priest and follow the law of Moses which says a leper should go to the priest and ask for cleansing prayer and God will heal." So, go to the priest. In other words, God was saying, "Be thankful for the remedy that you already have. When you are thankful for that, a miracle will happen." Amen. So, these 10 fellows, Samaritan also joined. They're going to the priest. On the way to the priest, they didn't even reach the priest. On the way, they were healed. In other words, when you trust God and obey God, miracle will happen. Faith activates Faith activates the power of God. Let's say that together. Faith activates the

33:54 Let's say that again. Faith activates the power of God. They walked in faith. See, I'll be healed. I'll be healed. Is it happening? Is different from I will be healed. Let's go. So, these guys didn't go in doubt. They went in faith. On the way, they were healed. Nine fellows didn't even go to the priest. They went somewhere. That's 90% of the world. They will not bother to come back and say thanks, yeah. And these are 90% are who? Jewish. They are the ones who have the law of being thankful. If their condition is this, this is 90% of the world. That's the world we live in. Don't get surprised. Don't get upset. This is what they gave to God. What can you and I expect? So,

35:03 90% went off. Nine out of 10 is 90%. One fellow came back. This is the principle of tithing. 10% comes back. And says to Jesus, "Thank you. I'm healed." And Jesus says something very interesting. The Lord says, "Were there not 10?" What was the Lord saying? "I know 10 are healed. It's not like only one got healed and came back to say thanks. I know there are 10 and I know all the 10 are healed." And then says to the disciples, "But one fellow came back to say thanks." The Lord was teaching disciples something important in life. Now, I'm going to go. You fellows are going to continue ministry. Learn. You think if you heal 10 lepers, they'll come back with their nana, chacha, all will come and say thanks. Nothing is

36:05 going to happen. One fellow coming back is a big thing. That is the situation. The Lord was teaching disciples, "Don't do good expecting big returns. Do good because you serve a good God and you want to be Christ-like." >> [applause] >> Today is special Sunday. We are eating special food from God's word. >> [applause] >> THIS 10% THEORY IS VERY IMPORTANT. If more than 10 In my life, more than 10% has happened. Really, God is good to me. God knows that I can't handle too much pain. So, he's kept me happy. Otherwise, I'll cry and sneeze and create trouble in the throne room of God. So, he says that fellow, keep him happy. So, mostly people around me are good people. At least when I see them.

37:15 So, this one fellow comes back and says, "Thank you, Lord." The Lord says, "Thanksgiving does something to you. You are made whole. You are made perfect. The others got a partial healing. You got a perfect restoration. There is a big difference. >> [applause] >> Faith activates God's power, but gratitude and worship activates God's perfection. And that miracle happens through your life itself. Many times we don't see God's power because we're expecting it to come from outside. Many times God's hand will work from your own life. Amen. Hallelujah. >> [applause] >> That's why the Bible commands. Look at Colossians chapter 3. Let's read verse 15. And let the peace of God See the word rule. Rule is a very important word there. Okay? I'll explain what rule there means. Let the peace of

38:18 God rule in your hearts to which and be For the peace of God to rule in your heart, you got to be thankful. You want peace of God to rule in your heart? Learn to be thankful. If you can't be thankful, you can't have God's peace ruling in your heart. Now, the word rule there is the word umpire. Cricket? Referee? Umpire? He will say if it's a no ball or a wide ball. Any other ball? Huh? No ball only no ball, wide ball. Dead ball, huh? I didn't know there's something like that. Dead ball. >> [clears throat] >> Then what else? Huh? Okay. I have understood your literacy level in cricket. Okay. Now, we We have no ball, we have dead ball, and

39:21 we have one more, wide ball. Wide ball. Um and good ball, correct? That which gets counted. So, umpire is going to say that. Then umpire is going to stand there and say that was a sixer, four, or how many runs. The umpire is going to say out, not out. That's what a referee does. That's the word meaning of the word rule there. Rule there means umpire. Let the peace of God umpire your heart. In other words, you have to allow decision-making to be done by peace. Don't make decisions with stress. Make decisions not with doubt. Make decisions not with anger or jealousy. Make decisions with peace. And to do that, be thankful. >> [applause] >> So, God is saying, "When you get

40:23 together friends meeting, just try You know, just just try to be thankful. Just Just do it slowly so they don't feel you're weird or something. You know, because suddenly when you change, everybody notices it. So, go slow about it. But But be firm. Be firm. They have the right to be who they are. You have the right to be who you want to be." Yes. You can be thankful. You can be thankful. But pastor, when I am thankful and I do things for them, they don't respect me. Right. So, stop doing things. But let them learn to value what you give. But be thankful anyway. Be careful with your expressions. In the name of Thanksgiving, don't make yourself a doormat. And everybody stamp on you and you say, "God, why am I carrying the burden?" God says, "When did I tell you to be a doormat?" Jesus didn't wash the feet of everyone in Jerusalem. Only chosen 12. He said, "You guys come with your leg." All the others, keep your leg to yourself. The problem is some fellows have revival. They put up on 10 saying, "Bring your feet. I will wash." God

41:26 didn't ask you to do all that. When you study from the life of the Lord, you have to understand the context. You have to serve. You have to be thankful. Making sure you don't throw your pearls to the swine. But don't become the swine. Oh, I'm surrounded by swine. Now I'll be swine. No. Don't do that. You be a child of God. For all of you who are watching online, there's a riot going on here. >> [laughter] >> It's a revival. >> [applause] >> Mighty revival. They are going to be thankful in Jesus name. But we are not going to be stupid in the name of thankful. We're going to be reasonable in the name of thankful. Be thankful in your heart, but be clever in your choices of expression. That's why, you know, the Lord taught us to be wise like a serpent and pure like a dove. Be thankful to your juniors.

42:30 Be thankful to those who are younger than you in the family. Be thankful to the people who contribute in your life. Be thankful to the people who are above you. To the elders in your family. Draw healthy boundaries. Be responsible. Be thankful in the church. Be thankful to God for your church. Be thankful to God for your pastor. Be thankful to God for the message you heard. If you see somebody saying, "I don't know what he's preaching. Didn't get anything." Classic gone case. >> [laughter] >> I am thankful to God even for those guys. They make me humble in life. But a thankful fellow cannot hear the word of God. He cannot receive the word of God. Even when God puts manna from heaven on a special Sunday, they will go hungry because they can't see what is there. It makes them blind. That happens in life. That should not hurt us. Be thankful

43:32 for what God has given in your life. This is a study that is done in all the corporate world and they found people >> [clears throat] >> managers who are thankful and show gratitude to the workers, the workers who felt that the bosses showed gratitude and appreciation, those workers perform way above what is expected of them. And they found out more than money and incentives, it is personal relationship and appreciation that brings greater productivity. This is a fact. Those of you are in leadership, use these Bible principles as a personal identity change. Don't use it to manipulate people. Make it a genuine thing in your life. That's why God commanded in the Bible. God said, "Israel, you're going to have three feasts every year.

44:36 And one feast is called the Feast of Tabernacle or the Feast of Tent where God commanded everybody go out. Don't sit in your house. Go to a tent and live in a tent." This is for Israel, not for us. Go and live in a tent. Why? Every year at least one week you should live in a tent and realize for 40 years you lived in tent. And I sent manna from heaven. And I sent water from the rock. And I took care of you. And remember how you lived in tent in the land of slavery in Egypt. Remember the pain over there. God, why are you reminding me about my traumatizing past? Your past will not destroy you if you are in God's hands. Your past will only encourage you. >> [applause] >> Jehovah Ebenezer, God who brought me till here. Oh, he will take me forward. >> [applause] >> Hallelujah.

45:39 Your past is never a danger. Your past is only a signal of how far you God has brought you. Modern psychologists will say just forget about it. Even I sometimes say forget about it. That is true. But when it comes to Thanksgiving, remember it. From the platform of Thanksgiving, remember it. Not from the platform of complaining. For complaining, don't remember it. But to thank God, remember your past. Days without job, no money to pay tuition fee. What all struggles we went through. People insulted me. I look terrible. Oh God, those days. And today, Father, thank you so much. You brought me here. Oh, how much you can take me forward. You are able. Amen. >> [applause] >> God had commanded Israel, "Get out of the house and live in a tent for one week every year." will not destroy you. Be thankful to God in the problems. It will only build you. Your problems will not destroy you. Your problems will only build you.

46:41 We don't thank God for the evil. We acknowledge God in the evil and say, "God, we thank you that in the evil I'm not alone. You're with me." Hallelujah. Show gratitude to God. Okay, I'll close. My time's up. You all enjoying God's word? Okay, one verse for you. Jonah chapter 2. Let's read verse 9. "But I with the voice of Thanksgiving will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will pay." Salvation. What happened? God told Jonah, "Go to Nineveh and you preach repentance there." Jonah said, "I will not go." Why? Because in Nineveh, they should be destroyed. We are doing fasting prayer. Lord, destroy Nineveh. Now, finally time for their destruction has come and you're telling me I should go and prophesy they should repent so that destruction won't happen? No way. Why was Israel and the prophet against Nineveh? Because Nineveh is a military threat.

47:46 So, Nineveh is waiting to destroy Israel. So, Israel is somehow praying, "God, destroy Nineveh." Now, God is coming and saying, "See, please understand something. Why did Jesus say love your enemies?" Because God loves your enemies. I know it's not an exciting thing, but God loves even the people we don't like. And God has a plan for their life. So, God says to Jonah, "Go. Prophesy to Nineveh. Tell them to repent. If they don't repent, I'll destroy them. If they repent, I will save them." Jonah understood this is not working. So, what Jonah did, he got into a ship to Tarshish. I don't know. Sometimes even prophets, their maths doesn't work out. If God knows everything about Nineveh, won't God know where you are booking tickets? I I don't know how. Sometimes fellow books tickets to Nineveh, puts it in to Tarshish, puts it in his pocket and walks around praying as if God don't

48:49 know what's in the pocket. Gets into a ship to Tarshish. Why he's getting into a ship to Tarshish so he can go to Tarshish and say, "God, that's too far. I can't go there." I don't know what plan he had in his mind. To run away from God's will, he is doing his will. >> [snorts] >> Now, God sends a whale. Okay. And to carry this fellow. Look at the trouble God has to go through. God's children, please don't mess up God's plan. Simply trouble for angels, for whale. One Sunday school teacher who didn't believe in God was teaching in the church to the Sunday school children saying uh there is a story like this in the Bible I don't believe it. One little Johnny got up and said I believe it. Then teacher got angry and said what if you go to heaven

49:52 and if you find out that the story is not true. The boy looked at the teacher and said that's okay when you go to hell you'll find out it's true. Johnny had more sense. Now this whale was there the story is okay I'll tell the story quickly. In in the ship there was a huge trouble big problem because of the waves and the people in the ship started doing puja and karma and all of that trying to save themselves and then this fellow was sleeping. Who? Jonah. Because Jonah knows Jonah knows God is in full control. You know nothing to worry. So fellow is sleeping even in disobedience he is having faith in God. >> [laughter] >> What a classic Christian no? So >> [laughter]

50:53 >> he sleeping and these fellows after two three hours of prayer they realize Jonah is missing. They run to Jonah and say what a shameless fellow you are we are doing puja here and you are not joining. He said no I believe in almighty God who created heaven and the earth. These fellows said your prayer sounds so great and you make a prayer. You're preaching so nicely he said guys problem is me. He told them the truth. He said I am the reason for all this trouble. You throw me into the sea your ship will be normal. This fellow said I can't do that because we are all holy people we cannot kill other human beings. He said you want to escape throw me in the sea. These fellows prayed to their God saying we don't know if this man wants to be thrown so we are throwing don't blame us and they threw this fellow with the heavy heart. They were not happy doing it. They threw him into the sea. But Jonah went happily because Jonah knows the Lord will take care.

51:56 >> [applause] >> Nineveh is there God wants me. Many people ask me why don't you collect offerings? Why don't you make businessmen your friends? You have projects. I tell them God will take care. I know very well he will take his plan he will do it. >> [applause] >> Nothing to worry. Amen. If it's not his will he won't pay the bill. Why struggle? So so what happened Jonah he was thrown into the sea and a whale swallowed him. He's in the stomach of the whale. Some Bible scholars say he died and went to hell. Some others say he was alive in the stomach. We leave that. That's not the message. In the whale's stomach Jonah is praying to God. Okay God I repent. I'm sorry. God I shouldn't have run away from you. I thought I know better than you. I didn't want Nineveh to be saved but now

52:59 you are a good God you're a merciful God. Fellow repented in the stomach of the whale. And there he did thanksgiving. Give thanks to God. Okay let's read that verse chapter two verse nine 10 verse 10. Next verse. >> [snorts] >> Take your time no problem. I'm sorry I did not tell you this earlier. Don't worry. Verse 10. Yeah we'll wait let them Okay I'll read it from my Bible. I'm sorry I gave you a surprise. Chapter nine and the Bible says chapter two verse nine the Bible says this fellow gave thanksgiving to God. Verse 10 says and the Lord called the fish You know why fish is still keeping some

54:05 people? Thanksgiving is not there. You want to come out of where you are? Learn from Jonah. Man knows everything. Close your eyes and say Father I want to be a person of thanksgiving. I want to be committed to you in thanksgiving. >> [sighs] >> When I'm grumpy bad mood irritated help me Lord to overcome. Let me not get stuck in those bad moods. But let me learn to be thankful a spirit of thanksgiving. To love you to honor you to be thankful to you. Miracles happen in thanksgiving. Hallelujah. Lepers are made whole and perfect in thanksgiving. Bondages are broken in thanksgiving. Giving thanks for a miracle is different from giving thanks from an attitude of thanksgiving. Miracles don't happen just when you

55:07 thank God. Miracles happen when you thank him with a thankful heart. Not transactional not expecting something. But genuinely saying God whether you save me from the fire or you kill me in the fire I will still thank you. I will still worship you. Hallelujah. Heavenly Father 50 seconds Sunday of this year the last Sunday of this year we just want to thank you Lord. Next Sunday when we come back to church this 31st night when we come back to palace grounds we just know that it is you who lead us thus far. With all the stress the struggles whatever may have happened this year thank you that you led us thus far. Hallelujah. Wherever you are seated or standing would you lift your hands to the Lord take a minute to say Lord thank you. Thank you thank you for the innumerable

56:10 blessings and mercies. Thank you for your protection Lord. Thank you for giving me your Holy Spirit. Thank you for giving me faith to trust you for tomorrow. Thank you for a heart that loves you Lord. Thank you because you have great plans for me. Thank you Lord that even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I have nothing to fear because you are greater than every other promise. Your presence is greater than every other promise. Having you is more important than having your blessings. Having you is more important than having your favor. Having you having your love having your presence is more important than having your miracles. Thank you that I have you Jesus. Hallelujah. Thank you that I have your presence. Please put your hands down. Father I pray that each one here will be a blessing to your kingdom.

57:13 Each one here will be a blessing to the church. Each one will be a blessing to your holy name. That we will live our lives with a heart of gratitude. To you be all the glory and honor in Jesus name we pray and the people said Amen. Shall we stand we'll sing a [music] song and we'll pray and close. To God be the glory great [singing] things he has done. So [music] loved he the world that he gave us his [singing] son [music] who yielded his life and atonement for [singing] sin and opened the life [music] gates that all may go in. Praise the Lord. >> Praise the Lord >> [music and singing] >> let the earth rejoice. Praise the Lord praise the Lord let the people rejoice. [music] Oh come to the Father >> [singing]

58:13 >> through Jesus the Son and give [music] him the glory. >> Glory great things [singing] he has done. Oh perfect [music] redemption the purchase of blood to every [music and singing] believer the promise of God. The vilest offender [music] who truly [singing] believes that moment from a [music] pardon received. Praise the Lord. >> [music] >> Oh yes. Thank you Father. Praise the Lord praise the Lord let the people rejoice. [music] Oh come to the Father through Jesus the Son [singing] and give him the glory. >> [music] >> Great things he has taught [music] us great things [singing] he has done and great our rejoicing

59:19 but purer [music] and higher and greater will be our wonder our transport [music] when Jesus [singing] we see. Praise the Lord. >> [music] >> Lift your hands and tell him everybody. Praise [singing] the Lord. Praise the Lord. Let the people rejoice. [music] >> [music] >> Hallelujah. Thank you Lord for the great things that you have done in our lives. Father, we just want to thank you Lord for the word that came alive. Our hearts are filled with thanks to [music] you and we are walking out of this place completely healed and whole and delivered oh God. Thank you for your presence. We are so grateful oh God >> [music] >> for your plans, for your purposes, for your faithfulness that led us this far. We believe oh God our blessed years are yet ahead [music]

1:00:21 because you are walking with us oh God. Father, this time we especially pray for those who are celebrating their birthdays [music] and marriage anniversaries this week. We pray for adding it to another year into their life. Bless [music] them abundantly. Father, we pray for those who are traveling. Let your journey mercies go with them. >> [music] >> We pray for those who have come to the church for the very first time. Their life will never be the same again. All of their needs [music] be met according to the riches and glory. Father, we pray for the tights and the offering that your blessing [music] be upon your children's life. Lord, in this season oh God this week as some of them are going through pain and the loss. We ask oh God that your peace [music] will cover them. Be with them and strengthen them oh God. Send us with your presence. Let your favor rest upon each one of our life. >> [music] >> To you alone be all the glory, honor and praise. In Jesus most holy name we pray. Now may the grace of Lord Jesus Christ, the love of the heavenly Father and the sweet abiding presence of the Holy Spirit >> [music]

1:01:21 >> rest and abide upon each one of us from now and forevermore and the people of God say Amen. Amen. We want to take this minute to welcome all those who are here for the first time. Thank you for joining us. >> [applause] >> As you go out, please do step into the guest lounge. There's a team waiting to meet with you and talk to you. And guess what? All of you need to meet on 31st night, not here in Palace ground. Looking forward for that New Year's service. >> [music] >> And if you have not got a copy of a calendar, please do get it. The stocks are running out. The best gift to give it to your friends or your family. Please do pick up a calendar for yourself and for your friends. The pastors are here in the front as [music] well as in the overflow for prayer. God bless you. Thank you for your patience and staying back to listen to me. God bless you. Thank you and bye-bye. >> [music]