James 5:7-20 Thanksgiving and the Three Practices of a Flourishing FaithUntitled Recording Nov 28 9:10am

Series: The Book of James

November 26, 2017

Langdon Palmer

Thanksgiving – or the practice of giving thanks – turns out to be far more essential for our happiness than we realize. It also forms the foundation of the life of faith. And the book of James builds upon that foundation of faith and asks “OK, if I really have placed my faith in Jesus, then how should I live ?” This Thanksgiving weekend, we go back to the basics of the gospel then discover that James builds a three legged stool for the life of faith upon it. He gives us three practices for how to live here and now in this world while connected to God and eternity at the same time.

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Episode Notes

PODCAST NOTES:

THANKSGIVING (the essential stance of a heart that grasps Jesus)
“The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voices of bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those who bring thank offerings to the house of the LORD, saying, “Give thanks to the LORD Almighty, for the LORD is good; his love endures forever.” – Jeremiah 33:11

“If a fellow isn’t thankful for what he’s got,
he isn’t likely to be thankful for what he’s going to get.” – Frank A. Clark
“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow… Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.”
– Melodie Beaty

“A thankful heart is a happy heart” – VeggieTales’ Madame Blueberry
We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.
– Winston Churchill

The three P’s of James 5:7-20:

PATIENCE (towards my life)

“In the morning, O LORD, you will hear my voice;
in the morning I will lay my requests before you
and wait in expectation.” – Psalm 5:3

PRAYER (towards God)

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer
and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests
be made known to God.” – Philippians 4:6

PURPOSE (towards Others)

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who

asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
But do this with gentleness and respect,