How to Live a Life of Thanksliving

This past Sunday our church had the opportunity to hear a powerful message from Pastor Jason Hood, Thanksliving, encouraging us to have a heart that is not only thankful in a particular season but stays in a spirit of gratitude and thanksgiving continually as a way of life.

Have you ever walked through a season of depression? Or maybe a season when your Spirit felt down, discouraged, or disengaged? We have all probably faced challenging seasons like this at some point in our lives. But did you know you have the power to choose joy? There is power in thanking God for what you do have, instead of what you are lacking. The enemy wants us to focus on what's wrong in our lives, but gratitude for what you do have is a powerful tool to change the way you live your life.

We serve a God who makes a way where there seems to be no way. He is a God of hope. He is a God who has promised us an abundant life and future. His goodness and mercy follow us all the days of our lives.

And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.

-Psalm 107:22 (KJV)

It’s easy for us to forget that ungratefulness is a sin- it’s truly ugly, wrong, and offensive. Knowing this should cause us to pay incredible attention to our thoughts and actions regarding being ungrateful. Paul, speaks about unthankfulness in our last days...

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

-2 Timothy 3:1-5

Oftentimes we are caught grumbling and complaining more than we are speaking about the things we are grateful for. True gratitude is an overflow of our hearts.

...out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.-Matthew 12:34 (NKJV)

If you are thankful, and you're living a life of Thanksliving, then communicate it. Declare your thankfulness, by doing so you are shining a light into darkness!

But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. -Hebrews 13:16 (KJV)

So how do we keep these truths close to our hearts, avoid the sin of ungratefulness, and start living a life of Thanksliving?

We offer sacrifices to God. In the Old Testament, Scripture teaches us that sacrifices of thanksgiving were made of animals, fruits, and grains. In the New Testament, Scripture teaches us that we are to offer spiritual sacrifices.

If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. -1 Peter 2:3-5

Pastor Jason provided us with these 3 Spiritual Sacrifices we can offer God. This is how we live lives of thanksliving:

1) THE SACRIFICE OF PRAISE

It is a Biblical command that we continually praise and worship Jesus, it is not a suggestion. God considers your praise to be very valuable! But you must enter into praise from your free will, God knows the posture of your heart.

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. -Hebrews 13:15 (KJV)

Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments. -Psalm 119:108

2) THE SACRIFICE OF PRAYER

God enjoys hanging out with a thankful heart. Just like us, God doesn’t want to hang out with someone who just ate dill pickle soup, is a sour patch kid, or is a negative Nancy. God enjoys positive, thankful, and joyful people. Tell God in prayer all the things you are thankful for, list them out and speak them out loud! Draw near to God through choosing joy and choosing thanksgiving. Rejoice in prayer!

Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. -Psalm 141:2 (KJV)

In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy. -1 Timothy 2:8 (NLT)

3) THE SACRIFICE OF YOU

Jesus gave His life for you. Have you given your body, your life, to Him? Are you all in with God, because He wants all of you! Are you giving everything you have and everything you do to God to be used and guided by Him? We are blessed to be the hands and feet of Jesus here on Earth.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. -Romans 12:1-2 (KJV)

Maybe it’s time to evaluate your life. Are you living a life of thanksliving? Or have you let the sin of ungratefulness sneak in and take root. Are you grumbling and complaining more than you are praising and worshiping? Are you asking God for more things in your prayer life than you are saying thank you for? Does God have your whole heart? It’s never too late to choose joy, step into an attitude of gratitude, and allow thankfulness to pour out of your heart in abundance to the Lord.

This is how we shed light, overcome darkness, and defeat the enemy.

I invite you to view this message, “Thanksliving” in its entirety at this link:

We want to connect with you and help you take your next steps!

1. Do you have a relationship with Jesus? This decision is the first step in receiving the anointing in your life. If you are ready to give your life to Jesus, we would love to celebrate with you at 3trees.com.

2. Do you need to rededicate your life to Jesus? If yes, please connect with us at 3trees.com.

3. Do you feel God prompting you to take your next steps? If yes, BEGIN is waiting for you! You can walk through our ONLINE BEGIN class at 3trees.com/begin

4. Would you like to make a difference in our community? Join our captivate team! Visit 3trees.com to find out how you can participate in community outreach opportunities.

WATCH IT | DISCUSSION GUIDE| MESSAGE NOTES

Three Ways You Can Be Certain Something Good Is About To Happen

Have you ever experienced a time when you believed something good could happen, but it seemed far away from your present time and place that it was hard to believe and have faith?

In 1 Kings, Chapter 18, there is a nation that has completely rebelled from God. The people lack God-consciousness, and very few know the truth about God. In response, God sends drought and famine to this nation. Things are incredibly bad, but the people still will not return to God, despite the horrible circumstances they find themselves in. Instead, they continue to get further and further away from God.

Elijah is one of the few people who are preaching the truth. He seeks God’s guidance and receives a vision for revival. So he invites all the false prophets and pagan worshipers to meet him on Mount Carmel. Upon arrival, Elijah realizes that he is the only one who represents God, and he is up against 450 false prophets. Can you imagine being outnumbered by 450 to one?

But, something good is about to happen!

God is ready to show up and send a message to this nation. He wants them to know that He is real and He is available to them. He wants the people to experience Him undeniably!

Elijah declares, “Let the god that is real answer with fire.” So then, he builds an altar to God, as the false prophets build an altar to their pagan idols. The false prophets put on a really good show. They start cutting themselves, yelling incantations, and making all sorts of weird sacrifices. BUT despite their best efforts...nothing happens. Elijah, however, has a miracle take place!

Something good happened!

I believe the biographical sketch of Elijah’s experience on Mount Carmel also reveals to us, THREE WAYS WE CAN KNOW SOMETHING GOOD IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN:

1. God is requiring you to put something MEANINGFUL on the altar.

A causal experience with God is no longer enough, and you feel the prompting of God to go to the next level.

And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come, saying, “Israel shall be your name.” Then with the stones, he built an altar in the name of the LORD; and he made a trench around the altar large enough to hold 14 quarts of dry seed. And he put the wood in order, cut the bull in pieces, and laid it on the wood, and said, “Fill four waterpots with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice and the wood.”

-1 Kings 18:31-33

Israel is in a three-year drought. As a result, there is a significant shortage of water taking place. You would have to go through incredible sacrifices such as travel, cost, pain, and adversity to obtain it. Not to mention Elijah had to get the water up to the top of the mountain once he acquired it! Therefore, in addition to the precious water, God also asked for a bull to be sacrificed, which was also meaningfully valuable in a land going through a famine.

And, yet God didn’t just ask for these valuable items once, but three times!

Then he said, “Do it a second time,” and they did it a second time; and he said, “Do it a third time,” and they did it a third time. - 1 Kings 18-34

Isn’t it just like God to invite you to go the extra mile? On the other side of Elijah’s sacrificial obedience, the altar and the trenches were overflowing with meaningful things. The result was that Earth had Heaven’s attention. Finally, something good was about to happen!

2. God is removing the opportunity for COINCIDENCE to take the CREDIT.

Sometimes the instructions we receive from God may not add up...they may not make sense, but God is setting up the stage so He can show up, and coincidence will not be able to steal His credit.

Elijah had said, “Let the god that is real answer with fire.” And he starts with an altar that is covered with water! What God told him to do doesn’t make sense. But God will make sure that this nation knows that there is no room for coincidence, and He is going to receive all the credit. Interestingly, the meaningful thing that God asked Elijah for was also the thing that was solidifying God’s opportunity to get the glory for that which was about to take place.

Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.

-1 Kings 18:38

Only after something valuable had been given in obedience and all coincidence removed from the situation did something good happen! And, in this case, an entire nation experienced revival!

3. God is leading you to REVIEW your relationship with Him. Go back to the basics, go back to the fundamentals of your relationship with God.

Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me.” So all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down. -1 Kings 18:30 (NKJV)

Were they waiting on God, or was God waiting on them? They had been in a drought and famine for three years. They were in the middle of hellacious situations breaking forth in their nation, and horrible circumstances were taking place. Yet, NO ONE thought to fix the altar!

If you want something good to happen in your life, you have to be prepared to give something meaningful, and the most valuable thing you have to give is your time and energy. If nothing else, then God is calling you to put your time and energy on the altar. By doing so, you allow Him to work through the margin you have left. God will use you to impact lives! Good things start at the altar.

However, you can NOT repair the altar in your life without taking time to review it. Everyone has parts of their lives that need to be reviewed. Take a look at your life from all vantage points, and allow God to show you where your altar is broken down.

I invite you to view this message, “Something Good is About to Happen,” in its entirety at this link: https://youtu.be/nu8UpjkgdQM

Here are a few things to evaluate in your life:

1. Do you have a relationship with Jesus? This decision is the first step in receiving the anointing in your life. If you are ready to give your life to Jesus, we would love to celebrate with you at 3trees.com.

2. Do you need to rededicate your life to Jesus? Is it time to go back to the basics and renew your relationship with Jesus Christ? If yes, please connect with us at 3trees.com.

3. Do you feel God prompting you to take your next steps? If yes, BEGIN is waiting for you! You can walk through our ONLINE BEGIN class at 3trees.com/begin

4. If God finds our time and energy valuable, are you ready to make a sacrifice and donate a little of both to your community? Join our captivate team! Visit 3trees.com to find out how you can participate in community outreach opportunities.

WATCH IT | DISCUSSION GUIDE| MESSAGE NOTES

This is Why You Absolutely Need to See Things This Way

Corrie ten Boom used the analogy that it would look like a mess if you viewed a loom from underneath, but it would look like a beautiful piece of art if you looked at it from above.

Consider that the Earth is God’s loom, and He views it from above. He understands the ‘loom process’ that He has set in place, and to Him, it is beautiful. But because we view our world from underneath, it too often looks and feels like a mess.

In this vein, the Bible; especially, the book of Revelation, helps us see our world from the same perspective as God sees it. And that changes everything! When you see life from the vantage point of Heaven, it looks different. And, suddenly, we are reminded that God is the author and the finisher, the alpha and the omega. He is the first and the last! And, NOTHING is a surprise to Him. Jesus has a plan to defeat spiritual darkness and win the battle for eternity. We just need to change our perspective and see things from a different vantage point.

The word throne is used 45 times throughout the book of Revelation. And, it makes clear that the ultimate throne belongs to Jesus, and everything proceeds from His throne. According to the whole counsel of Scripture, Satan has wanted this throne from the very beginning. When he was first an angel named Lucifer, he had instruments and stones placed within his body and led beautiful worship.

Ezekiel 28 -- alongside Leviticus’ details of High Priests’ breastplates -- leads us to interpret that Lucifer’s stones, when activated by God’s light, cast beautiful rainbows throughout heaven. But Lucifer was selfish and unhappy. He wanted the angels to worship him and not God. As a result, he organized a revolt with one-third of the other angels in Heaven to take God’s throne. They lost being cast down from Heaven by God. Landing like with the force of lightning strike on the other side of God’s wrath, Lucifer dusted off his ego and became the chief of all fallen angels, the devil, whom we now refer to as Satan.

From the creation of Mankind, the devil has been harassing humanity. (Just read Genesis 1-3!) Our enemy has been trying to steal, kill, and destroy everything we have. But God had a plan, and He sent Jesus to save us all through His blood, and on a hill called Calvary, He took back the keys to death, hell, and the grave! He reestablished His kingship on earth. The gates of Hell will not prevail because God created the church, and His Kingdom made manifest through that Church will win!

The enemy is trying to create a space on this earth that allows him to envision victory, but in reality, we serve a King that has already won! If you want peace, read the back of the book because it will change your perspective. You get the view from above!

You may have been looking at your life from underneath the loom -- the messy side -- but the Holy Spirit wants you to look at it from above. You can win the situation you are in, you can, and you will survive what is transpiring, things will get better, and you have a reason to keep fighting. Let the Holy Spirit refresh and restore you! Remember, all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose. Change your perspective to the vantage point of Heaven!

I invite you to view this message, “Upon Further Review”, in its entirety at this link: https://youtu.be/sE13MwguUI8

Here are a few things to evaluate in your life:

1. Do you have a relationship with Jesus? This decision is the first step in receiving the anointing in your life. If you are ready to give your life to Jesus, we would love to celebrate with you at 3trees.com.

2. Do you need to rededicate your life to Jesus and start seeing your life from a kingdom down mentality and a new vantage point, a fresh perspective? If yes, please connect with us at 3trees.com.

3. Are you ready to take your next steps towards discipleship? Many non-Christians are as close to heaven as they will ever get, but through BEGIN, you can be equipped and empowered to change their lives! You can walk through our ONLINE BEGIN class at 3trees.com/begin

4. Do you want to be a part of bringing Heaven down to Earth? Join our captivate team! Visit 3trees.com to find out how you can participate in community outreach opportunities.

WATCH IT | DISCUSSION GUIDE | MESSAGE NOTES