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6 BOCNEWS.comNOVEMBER 2015 What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me Psalms 11612 Scholars tell us that most Psalms were writ- ten for use on specific occasions. They cover the full realm of human experience so that a person could find a Psalm to fit the mood of the moment or the need of the day. The 116th Psalm is one that was written for such a specific time. It may have been written to a king but surely by one devoted to the Lord who had experienced some illness. After having recovered from illness and having returned to the congregation this Psalm was to be his expression of thankfulness. Therefore the Psalmist recalls how he had called upon God and God had heard his prayer. He confesses that his life was in danger and though almost in his grave God had saved him. Then counting his blessings he comes to a question that is inevitable in an hour of thanks- giving. A question that each of us who has been seen through a circumstance or situation must ask a question that acknowledges the smallness of humanity and the magnitude of God. A ques- tion we ask of ourselves particularly during this time of the year. The Psalmist asks What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me or simply How can I say thanks To express adequately our thanks to God we must Reflect On Our Deliverance. The pains of death surrounded me and the pangs of Sheol laid hold of me I found trouble and sorrow vs. 3. Exactly what this mans suffering has been is not clear. It looks as though it was a sickness of body one that had brought him very near to death. At any rate deliverance was granted to this man and now he is in the temple to fulfill his vow. Individually each of us can reflect on events circumstances and situations and recall how God has delivered us. Some of us started out like this man of whom the Psalmist speaks dealing with some bout of physical illness. Some of us found that the proverbial layoff came our way our name was called and we became unemployed. Some of us despite all our efforts have experienced financial hardship. Some of us throughout the year have experienced loneliness depression and overwhelming fear. Some have possibly felt that you were in a spiri- tual desert and that Gods presence was nowhere to be found. Some may have experienced family problems with your spouse and your children. However as we reflect on our circumstances many of us find that God has delivered. A new job has been found. We have bought the car and the house. We have been healed of our affliction. The heaviness of heart has been removed. Family relations are better. We somehow feel closer to God and even if things are not as we would like we can look to God with a new hope. Some of us can relate to the song Been in the Storm Too Long. Some of us have been deal- ing with some on going problems seemingly too long. There may be some that have not been fully delivered or recovered. However in spite of our circumstances we can take the positive attitude and thank you Lord that not every year is as bad as this. Thanksgiving Should Come Before Deliverance. Some of us believe that to thank God the thing we have asked for or are seeking must be physically in hand. In other words thanksgiving goes out to God for blessings received. That is only partially true. Thanksgiving is not only our response to the past but deals with the present in anticipa- tion of Gods future blessing. In Mark 1122-24 KJV Jesus says Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you That whosoever shall say unto this mountain Be thou removed and be thou cast into the sea and shall not doubt in his heart but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you what things soev- er ye desire when ye pray believe that ye receive them and ye shall have them. Jesus said you will have what you believe you receive. Now if I believe according to Gods prom- ises I have already received what I ask for then I can say Praise God thank you God glory to God. Jesus did not say you would receive when you feel good or when you felt something or had a vision or a confirmation or a revelation. He said When you pray simply believe that you have received it. When you pray believe that you receive it When Now That is when you pray Then he said You shall have thats future tense but I must believe that I have it now. Putting it simply you have to believe you have received it before you get it. We are called to walk by faith not by sight. I do not have to physically see my deliverance in hand. I walk by faith not by sight. In order to receive I must believe that I have received that for which I have prayed. Moreover if I have received it I can and must thank God in prayer. Thanksgiving should come before deliverance because it expresses our belief in the promises of God it expresses our belief in the providence of God and it expresses our belief in the power of God. How Can I Say Thanks It honors God for us to cheerfully to accept the blessings that he sends. It may be proper to refuse the gifts offered by our fellow men. Nevertheless the truest expression of our thanksgiving would be for us to accept the greatest gift that God has offered to humanity his Son Jesus Christ. God has offered us the gift of salvation of eternal life. If you recognize that God has been good to you. If you recognize that he has brought you through dangers toils and snares the best way you can say thanks is to call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. The unthankful person cannot pray for he or she has no real sense of the goodness of God. Philippians 46 urges us that in all the situations of life we need to pray with thankfulness Be careful for nothing but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Some of you may have read where 1 Thessalonians 518 says In every thing give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. And you may have become con- fused when comparing it to Ephesians 520 which says Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. In everything that is in every situation give thanks does not mean we are to be thankful for everything. We are not to be thankful for sick- ness or loss of our job or for loss of our home or a loved one. However even in each of those situations we can be thankful. Thanksgiving recognizes the sovereignty of God. If you recognize that God loves you then nothing can come your way until it has first passed through the filter of his love. Moreover if it has passed through the filter of his love although we may not like or understand what we are going through we must trust that God somehow has a purpose. That being true we can then stand on Romans 828 In all things God works for the good of those who love him. In every thing trust God and thank him. What resolutions of yours does God have on his record What did you promise the Lord you would do if he would deliver you One way to say thanks to God is to fulfill whatever you during days that were more troublesome decided to do. Fulfill the physical spiritual or financial obligations you have made. How can we say thanks Receive the gift of Gods salvation in Jesus Christ. Acknowledge his sovereign rule over your life. Receive all that comes your way in spite of how it may look trust- ing that God loves you. Fulfill the things that the Spirit of God leads you to resolve in your life they are from God and meant to bring good unto you. William T. Golson How Can I Say Thanks By Pastor William T. Golson SERMON Thanksgiving Should Come Before Deliverance. Some of us believe that to thank God the thing we have asked for or are seeking must be physically in hand. In other words thanksgiving goes out to God for blessings received. That is only partially true. Thanksgiving is not only our response to the past but deals with the present in anticipation of Gods future blessing.