FAITH GIVES THANKS IN ADVANCE 2

FAITH GIVES THANKS IN ADVANCE 2

Text: Matthew 15:21-28
Memory verse:
“Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭15‬:‭25‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Thanksgiving goes beyond having a special church service or presenting a gift to the church. It is an attitude. Thanking God is a declaration of faith. This is what Philippians 1:6 says, “God is the one who began this good work in you, and I am certain that he won’t stop before it is complete 
” (NLT).
So, thanking God in advance is an attitude which says, “Father, I know that I am Your on-going project and that You are working in my life, so I am going to thank You right now for the great things that You are going to do tomorrow”.
Between the time of request and the time of manifestation is the trial of faith. This is the time when most people get so worried and continue begging God for the same thing over and over. Worrying and complaining don’t give you strength but weaken and stop you. They never secure God’s attention.
Now, let’s consider two scenarios. About six months earlier, two sons asked for a special birthday gift each from their father, and the father gave each of them his promise. One of the sons continued to ask for the same thing from his father. He kept pestering daddy every hour, every day until the birthday. On the other hand, the second son kept thanking daddy every day and loving him until that day. He was saying, “Dad, thank you for that special gift which you are giving me on my next birthday. I know that you will do what you promised me. I won’t wait till I receive the gift before I give you a hug. You are the best dad”. So, if you are the father of the two boys, which of them will you be most pleased with?
According to our text today, a woman in distress came begging and crying after Jesus (Mark 7:26). You can imagine how many times she asked for the same thing! Yet, Jesus, didn’t answer her, which was unlike Him. Through the scriptures, we see how Jesus responded swiftly to everyone who sought His help. So, why didn’t Jesus answer her? The truth is that begging does not draw God’s attention, but faith does. Knowing this truth, she knelt down, started worshiping, and thanking God (Matt 15:25). Shortly after that, Jesus commended her faith and healed her daughter (Matt 15:28).
Friends dare to be true believers and not beggars. True believers take God at His word and praise Him before seeing results. Praising God will do what begging won’t do. Shift to praise after praying and continue in it throughout your waiting period.

Prayer points
1. Father, thank You for giving me the attitude of thanksgiving, in Jesus’ name.
2. Father, I thank You that I am Your ongoing project and You won’t ever abandon me, in Jesus’ name.

Today’s declarations
1. I am a true believer and not a beggar because I shift to praise after asking, and I continue throughout my waiting period.
2. As I thank God in advance, I do declare my faith in Him.

Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng