Always Giving Thanks (Tamil) — Zac Poonen

And into our homes and into our churches. So we must never be satisfied till we have the spirit of heaven in our heart, home and church. You know it's something like this, that supposing your father was a very multi-millionaire with a lot of money, and just before he died he wrote a will passing on all that to you, his son or daughter, and all the property he has got in different parts of Tamil Nadu, and all the money he has got in different banks, he has willed it for you, but it's not in your name, because it's in his name and he's dead.

So you have to get that through the will transferred to your name. And I'm sure that you will not be happy with just few rupees transferred to your name. And you will not allow some crooked lawyer to cheat you out of your inheritance.

You will take that will and you will read every line carefully, what has my father left for me? He has left one house for me in Chennai, I never knew that. And he has left one house for me in Coimbatore, I never knew that.

He has got account in this bank and that bank and the other bank, you can live like a rich person. That's only a picture. When Jesus died and rose up from the dead, and sent the Holy Spirit, he purchased an inheritance for you.

And there is something we can inherit here on the earth, but the devil has cheated many believers out of that inheritance. Now if it were an earthly inheritance, you will be very careful that you will not allow any lawyer to cheat you out of it.

When it comes to this heavenly inheritance, many believers have allowed the devil to cheat them out of their inheritance. You know you are not supposed to live a defeated life? Your inheritance is a victorious life just like heaven.

In the same way, you are not supposed to have a home where like hell they are fighting with each other day and night. That's not your inheritance. Your inheritance is a home like heaven. But if the devil doesn't allow you to know what your inheritance is, then he cheats you of that.

The same thing in a church. You know I believe that every meeting of the church must be a heavenly meeting. Where the Holy Spirit is moving, bringing the presence of Jesus into our midst. Not once a month or something.

Every meeting. But what is our experience in our churches? Once in a month if we have a good meeting, we say, oh it was wonderful we had a meeting once in a month, such a good meeting. What is your inheritance?

That every meeting Jesus must be there. Every meeting Jesus must speak to our hearts. That is our inheritance. And if we believe that God, that is God's will for us, then God will be able to do it for us.

If we trust Him, you know the only thing God expects from us is that we trust Him. Say, Lord I cannot do it. But this is your will for us. The presence of Jesus Christ our Lord will be there in every meeting.

Thankfulness as a Foretaste of Heaven

In the book of Revelation God has given us a little glimpse of heaven. Actually there are seven glimpses of heaven in the book of Revelation. And in all those glimpses you see them praising and thanking God.

No complaining, no grumbling in heaven. They are always praising God. Grumbling and murmuring and complaining are a mark of hell, not heaven. We read that when the children of Israel were wandering in the wilderness they were grumbling and complaining.

That was not God's will for them. God was unhappy with them and they were grumbling and complaining. We read in 1 Corinthians 10 about these Israelites who were redeemed from the land of Egypt. It says in verse 2 they were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.

See that's a picture of our water baptism and Holy Spirit baptism. In verse 3 they ate the same spiritual food. That's a picture of our eating God's word. They drank the spiritual drink from the rock that flowed the water from the rock.

That's a picture of the Holy Spirit. But having experienced all this, it says God was not happy with them. In verse 5 it says God was not pleased with them. In verse 6 it says God may not be pleased with them.

One reason God was not happy with them, it says here in verse 10 they grumbled. And because they grumbled God destroyed many of them. And this verse 11 is written as an example for us. God does not want us to grumble.

When the Holy Spirit comes and fills our heart, one of the things he delivers us from is this grumbling complaining spirit. See when I see people who say they speak in tongues grumbling and complaining about something.

I say what's the use of speaking in tongues if you are grumbling and complaining with the same tongue afterwards. You stop grumbling and complaining that is more important. That is why the Holy Spirit has come.

The Holy Spirit has come to make us rejoice always. To make us give thanks always. Praise God always. That's one of the marks of the Holy Spirit filled life. Let me show you one or two verses. Philippians 2 verse 14.

Here it says do all things without grumbling and complaining. He says that is how verse 15 you prove that you are a child of God. If you are to ask a believer how do you prove you are a child of God? Different answers people give.

Jesus is in my heart. How do we know? I go to the meetings. I am baptized. I speak in tongues. I read the Bible. All these things are good. But here it says the proof that you are a child of God is that you are not grumbling and complaining anymore.

No those are not my thoughts. You please read in your Bible what God says in Philippians 2 verse 14 and 15. Please read the Bible slowly and carefully. Now please read it. Verse 14 and 15. Please read.

Philippians 2 verse 16. How do you show that you are a child of God in the midst of this crooked world? How do you show that you are a child of God in the midst of this crooked world? How do you show that you are a light in the midst of this dark world?

All of us will say we are supposed to be the light of the world. How is it? Just by giving out tracts? No. By the fact that in your life there is no grumbling or complaining. Somebody says how can you prove you are a child of God?

How do you know the Holy Spirit has come into my heart? But I am not grumbling and complaining. I used to do that plenty in my old days. Now the Holy Spirit has filled my life. I am not complaining about anything now.

I want to tell you that is million times more important than speaking in tongues. I am so disappointed when I see so called believers just repeating few syllables and saying I am filled with the Holy Spirit.

I am so disappointed when I see so called believers just repeating few syllables and saying I am filled with the Holy Spirit. They just repeat few syllables and say I am filled with the Holy Spirit. Everywhere you go it is the same syllables that everybody is repeating.

The whole world is laughing at such Christians. Is this a sign? Is this a sign? No. Let there be some real proof. That in a world where everybody grumbles and complains, your tongue is never grumbling or complaining.

Like that it says here, you prove that you are a child of God. What do you do with your tongue instead? See Ephesians 5. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, verse 18. What happens? Something happens on our tongue.

We always, verse 20, give thanks for all things. We stop complaining. We stop grumbling. We don't just keep quiet. We are giving thanks. Even in difficult circumstances. We say Lord I thank you for that.

I don't know why you have allowed that. I thank you. Because you are on the throne. That is the mark of heaven. It is impossible to live this life without being filled with the Holy Spirit. So there are two things I want to say.

One is you must be filled with the Holy Spirit. And the second is you must not be deceived by what these Pentecostals say about being filled with the Holy Spirit. It's not speaking in tongues. If God gives it to you, take it and use it.

I use it and I thank God for that gift. But the mark of being filled with the Holy Spirit, Here it is. Be filled with the Holy Spirit. And always give thanks for everything in the name of Jesus Christ.

That's how I know I am filled with the Holy Spirit. Not just saying ababababa, not that. Any baby can say that. Any little child can say that. Any non-Christian can repeat that. But find me a person who will always give thanks for everything in the name of Jesus Christ.

That is a spiritual man. Who never uses his tongue to grumble or complain about anything. This is the real speaking in tongues. We always use our tongue to glorify God. Giving thanks in everything. I want to say this is our inheritance in Jesus Christ.

And don't be deceived by other people. And all their false teaching. And you miss this thing which the Bible says. Read it. Be filled with the Spirit. And start speaking. It's the next word. Speak to one another in Psalms, hymns, spiritual thanks.

Always giving thanks to Jesus. That's the result of being filled with the Holy Spirit. We are talking about something and God gives us a demonstration of it. We were just talking about how we can be a light in a dark world.

So now you saw what darkness is like. That is a picture of a life full of grumbling and complaining. That type of life. Now you see what the light is like. That is like a life of always giving thanks and praising God all the time.

And just like we have to wait for the light to come. God is also waiting for the light to shine brightly in your life. What a difference it makes when the light comes on. You know I think when God looks down from heaven at this earth.

He sees it full of darkness. Not because it is night. But because everybody is grumbling. Complaining. No matter what they have, there is something to grumble about. No matter what they have, there is something to grumble about.

Even if they get something which they want, they still grumble about something else. But in the midst of such a dark world. God sees a few people. Somebody here, somebody there. Who are only giving thanks.

There is no darkness in their life. There is no darkness in their home. They never grumble about anything. I will tell you why this is so important. The devil is called the ruler of darkness. Jesus said, I am the light of the world.

Whenever you grumble and complain. What you are saying is. The devil has got all authority in heaven and earth. That is why he has made such a mess of all these things. Why are you grumbling? Because everything is such a mess.

Who has made this mess? The devil. How did he do it? Because he has got all authority in heaven and earth. That is what you are saying. But here is another true believer. He is facing the same difficult situation as you.

But he is not grumbling or complaining. You ask him, hey you are facing so many difficulties and trials here. Like that fellow. In fact more than him. He is always grumbling and complaining. How is it you are always giving thanks?

He says, because I believe that Jesus Christ has got all authority in heaven and earth. Not the devil. The devil may do something. But God will turn it and make it something good for me. If you believe that, you will always give thanks.

The reason why you grumble is because you believe the devil is in control of the world. I tell you why I completely stopped grumbling and complaining. Whatever happens or does not happen. Whatever people say about me or don't say about me.

What they do to me or don't do to me. If they promise to do something and don't do it. It makes no difference. I say, God can make it all work for my good. That is why we give thanks. You know why heaven is a place where they are always giving thanks and praising God.

Because they say God is in control. Lord God Almighty reigns. He is ruling the universe. If you believe that, you will always give thanks. So please remember this. Whenever you grumble or complain about something.

You are actually saying the devil is ruling this world. And my God is so helpless, he cannot do anything about it. That is a lie. That you glorify the devil that way. Every believer who grumbles and complains is glorifying the devil.

Even when things go wrong. God can make it work for your good. It is not that we blindly give thanks. We meaningfully give thanks because we believe God is working those things for our good. See, I was asking this question somewhere yesterday.

I want to ask you the same question. I have asked it in many places. What is the greatest evil that the devil did on this earth? The greatest evil thing that the devil did on this earth. He did a very evil thing when he led Eve astray in the garden of Eden.

He did a very evil thing when he made Cain murder Abel. That is a very evil thing. But that was not the greatest evil. The greatest evil that the devil did on this earth when he got a whole lot of people to crucify Jesus Christ.

When he made them shout crucify him, crucify him, crucify him. And he instigated Judas to betray him. And he instigated the high priest to condemn him. And he made Pilate afraid to set Jesus free. And they finally killed Jesus.

That was the greatest evil that the devil ever did on this earth. Now the next question is what is the greatest good thing that God did on this earth? That was sending Jesus to be killed on the cross.

So the greatest evil is the greatest good. Did you understand that? The greatest evil that the devil did. God turned it to become the greatest good that happened to you and me. If somebody were to ask me what is the best thing that happened for you that God did for you on this earth?

No, that he allowed Jesus to die on the cross for me. Definitely the best thing that God ever did for me. But that was also the worst thing that the devil ever did. From that I learned one lesson. That the greatest evil that the devil can do, God can turn into the greatest good for me.

So do I grumble that Jesus was crucified or do I give thanks that Jesus was crucified? How many Christians are grumbling that the devil crucified Jesus? No, I don't grumble about that. I know the devil did that.

But God turned it for something wonderfully good for me. So the greatest evil that happened in the world, I give thanks for it. Why can't I give thanks for all the other things that happened? God can turn the greatest evil into the greatest good.

The message you can get from Calvary's cross, not only Christ died for your sins, that's one message. Another message is, God can turn the greatest evil the devil does into the greatest good for humanity.

Have you understood that truth? If you know that truth, the truth will set you free from all grumbling and complaining. When I understood that truth, then I discovered every other evil that the devil does to me is less than that greatest evil on the cross.

I remember once one brother was complaining to me. Oh brother, people are treating me so badly. They are troubling me in the place of work. My wife is a big headache to me. And I have so many problems in the home and work.

I say, have they crucified you yet? He says, no, they have not crucified me on the cross yet. Then you are alright, don't worry, don't complain about it. Jesus was giving thanks when he was being crucified on the cross.

You are complaining because you have a difficult wife or a difficult boss. Don't glorify the devil with all that grumbling. Please get this strongly in your head. Whenever you grumble, you are glorifying the devil.

Whenever you grumble, you are saying, the devil is almighty. But in that difficult situation, if you give thanks, you are saying, Jesus is almighty. I have decided and I will always proclaim that Jesus Christ is almighty.

Satan was defeated on the cross. He has no power over any area of my life. He cannot touch me, he cannot touch my family, he cannot touch my money, he cannot touch anything in my life. If he tries to do something, God will turn it into something much better for me.

The Cross as the Pattern of God Turning Evil to Good

The Bible is full of examples like that. Let me give you one or two examples. In the old testament, let me turn you first to Genesis 39, I'm sorry, 37. You know, these things are written for our instruction.

These things are written for us, for our motivation. The devil always hates good people. And anyone who has a little fear of God, the devil will always try to trouble him. That is what you read in the book of Genesis.

That Abel had some little fear of God and the devil hated him and the devil came to kill him. And here is another example. There was a young, verse 2, 17 year old boy called Joseph. 17 years old. Aren't there some 17 year old boys here?

Yes. But this 17 year old boy was getting visions from God and dreams from God. Today a lot of 17 year old boys are getting filthy dreams in their mind. Because they are reading filthy things, seeing filthy things.

But he was getting dreams from God at the age of 17. And they were prophetic dreams about the future. Now why does God give that to some people and not to other people? Is there partiality with them? Does God love some children more than others?

Jacob had so many other children. Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah. They were all much older than Joseph. Why didn't God give them dreams? Because they had no interest in God. When people don't have an interest in God God does not give them any dreams about Himself.

When God sees that some person is only interested in sex that's only the dreams they will have about sex. But when you have an interest in the kingdom of God you will get dreams about the kingdom of God.

When you have bitterness against somebody else you will get dreams about your fighting with that person. Your dreams will be that. God is not partial. Wherever He sees even a 17 year old boy or girl He's got a hunger for God.

Oh God, I want You. In North India many years ago more than 100 years ago there was a young Sikh boy 14 years old he had a great hunger for God, younger than Joseph. And he said, Oh God, I want to know You.

He was praying so fervently that he suddenly saw a vision of Jesus Christ. And he became a Christian. That was Sadhu Sundar Singh. Did God love Sadhu Sundar Singh more than other young 14 year old boys?

No. Then why did He give him a vision of Jesus Christ? Because other 14 year old boys are fooling around with other things that's why God doesn't give them any dreams or visions. God gives us dreams according to our desire.

I remember when God baptized me in the Holy Spirit and I never in my life had cast out a demon before that. I was afraid of demons. If I met a demon possessed person I'd go somewhere else. I don't know what to do.

Do you know how God delivered me from that fear? He gave me dreams. And in my dreams I would see myself casting out demons. Then I said, I can do it. The devil is defeated on the cross. So you see, by our dreams God can give us boldness against Satan.

And for so many years now I can't even remember maybe 25 -30 years I have never had a frightening dream in my life. Because I believe that Jesus Christ is Lord. That the devil was defeated on the cross.

He cannot touch me anywhere in my life. He cannot touch my family. He cannot touch anything of me. Because he was defeated on the cross. If you have a hunger after God God can give you dreams about himself like he gave Joseph 4 ,000 years ago.

But when there is a young man like that the devil hates him. But we are not afraid of that. I know the devil hates me. But I am not afraid of that. The Lord told me recently Once upon a time you were afraid of the devil.

Now the devil will be afraid of you. I said praise the Lord. But that's not only for me. Are you a child of God? You know the devil is not afraid of me actually. He is afraid of Jesus Christ who lives in me.

Something like this. A wild Alsatian dog comes at me I will tell you I am afraid. I will not go to fight with one Alsatian dog barking at me. But if I have a huge African lion with me who is my friend and we are walking together even if 10 Alsatian dogs bark at me I will walk confidently.

I will say just give them one roar that's enough. You know in English it doesn't even say run there is a stronger word than that he will flee. It's more than that. It's like these frightened dogs with their tails between their legs they will run.

You must see this picture in your mind. Many believers have got this picture. They are running and the devil is chasing them somehow they are trying to escape. Oh he is coming close I am running. Please get rid of that picture from your mind.

That is all unbelief. When Jesus Christ is in you greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world. The devil is not afraid of you but he is afraid of Christ in you. He trembles at the name of Jesus.

He doesn't tremble at your name or my name. He trembles at the name of Jesus. So this is the picture I have in my mind. I am chasing the devil and telling him to get away. I am chasing the devil and telling him to get away.

He is running for his life. He is looking back oh he is coming after me he is running. Keep that picture in your mind. Devil running away from you. You must get dreams like that at night. I hope you will get some dreams like that tonight like that.

Devil is running away from you. You will never be afraid of the devil again. But you don't need a dream. Which is better the word of God or some dream? Here it says resist the devil and he will flee from you.

I don't need a dream now though God's word is enough. So the devil hated Joseph because he was such a God fearing young man. And he got all his brothers to hate him. What did I tell you in the morning?

That God knew us before he created the world. God knew Joseph before he created the world. And God saw this Joseph is going to be different from his brothers. God saw he is going to have a hunger for me not like Ruben and Levi and Simeon and all.

And that is what God has seen of some of you. Don't you have brothers and sisters who are not converted? Yeah. But God chose you. Not because you are such a good person. Because God saw that in your heart there is a little hunger for him.

And God chose you. Like that he chose Joseph. And anybody who is chosen by God will have many enemies. Because the devil will make people your enemies. And those enemies will trouble you. Like the Joseph's brothers troubled him.

But what I want to tell you is all that Joseph's brothers did only worked for his good. First thing we see Joseph was taking some food for them. Now isn't that instead of being thankful for that these brothers were jealous of him.

I have seen that. When God blesses me lot of relatives become jealous. Lot of neighbors around who live around me are jealous. I am not jealous of them. I am jealous of nobody in the world. But lot of people will be jealous of you when God blesses you.

When God blesses your children when God blesses your family many people will be jealous of you. That is not a new thing. When the fire of God fell upon Abel Cain was jealous of him. When Joseph was blessed by God all his family members were jealous of him.

They were so jealous just like Cain they wanted to kill him. I am sure that many people who are jealous of me would like to see me dead. But nobody can kill me till Jesus opens the door. You know the Bible says Jesus got the keys of death.

Do you believe that? Jesus says that in Revelation. I have the keys of death. Death is a door. Who has got the key? Jesus Christ. So I don't believe that I can die one second before Jesus opens that door.

No cancer, no accident, nothing. No jealousy of other people. Nothing. When my Savior opens the door He says son your time on earth is over. Enter into the joy of your Lord. I say thank you Lord. That is for you also.

Jesus Christ is your Savior. He has the keys of death. Until He opens nobody can open that door. Don't live in fear of death. Joseph, nobody could kill him till God's time came. They wanted to kill him when he was 17 years old.

But he lived till he was beyond 100 years. He died when he was 110 or 130 or something like that. Nobody could kill him. They tried. It says 10 of his brothers tried to kill him. But see, God is in control.

God changes the mind of one of those 10 brothers. Okay, let's not kill him. Let's just give him to these slave traders who are coming. We'll send him off. Now my question is this. Who sent those slave traders there at the same time when they were planning to kill Joseph?

Who? They were travelling on camels. Do you know how slow a camel walks? It walks about 1 km in about 2 -3 hours. And these camels are walking slowly. God says, yeah, you got to control this so that they come there just at the right time when they are going to kill Joseph.

This is all to keep you awake because the light is going on. Because God is trying to say something important for you. So, I'm saying God controls the speed of the camels, everything, for the sake of His children.

Because they must come at the right time when they are going to kill Joseph. And so, they sell them to these slave traders. And these slave traders are going where? They are going to Egypt. That was God's plan for Joseph to go to Egypt.

Who sent him there? His brothers. See how God can use the plans of evil men to fulfill His plan. Do you think Joseph's father would have ever sent him to Egypt? Never! Even if Joseph wanted to go to Egypt, his father would have said nothing.

God has got a plan for Joseph. So, he says, okay, I will make his brothers turn against him. And they will sell him to some traders. And those Midianite traders brought him to Egypt. And then when they go to Egypt, he gets a job there in Potiphar's house.

And there he gets into more trouble. Because there is an evil woman there. But even evil women, God can use them to fulfill His purpose. If you are upright, even when people falsely accuse you, Joseph was an upright man.

If you read in chapter 39, how many times that wicked woman tried to tempt Joseph. Joseph said no. And she got so angry. He escaped from the anger of his brothers. And now he comes to the anger of an evil woman, falsely accusing him and putting him in jail.

Whose plan was that? God's plan. Because God wanted Joseph to meet Pharaoh's butler in the jail. So he gets an introduction to Pharaoh. So God says now in a little while that Pharaoh's butler will be coming to jail.

And he will, I have to make Joseph meet him so he gets an introduction to Pharaoh. So how to send Joseph to jail? Potiphar is such a nice man, he will never send Joseph to jail. So God says okay, I will use his wife.

His wife is a wicked woman, I will use her. I will make her accuse Joseph. Falsely. My brothers and sisters, has anybody accused you falsely about something you never did in your life? Maybe in your office.

I know believers who lost their job because they were falsely accused by somebody. Have you had experience like that? Then learn from Joseph. That even that God can use to fulfill his purpose. When people accuse you falsely and tell a lie about you, maybe your husband accuses you falsely.

Maybe your wife accuses you falsely. Maybe your neighbor, your father-in-law, mother-in-law, or somebody in the office, don't complain. What I am trying to tell you is never to grumble or complain.

When people are jealous of you, your family members, other believers, jealous because God is blessing you, don't complain. Love them. Give thanks to God. When you find neighbors jealous of you, love them.

Do good to them. Give thanks to God. When people accuse you falsely like Potiphar's wife, give thanks to God. There in the jail, one day Joseph meets Pharaoh's butler. Now see one more thing. He tells Pharaoh's butler, Joseph is now 28 years old.

He has already been in jail for many years. He was 17 years when he left his father's home. Now he is 28. He has been in jail for many years. He told Pharaoh's butler, see in three days you will go back to Pharaoh's palace alive.

Please tell Pharaoh that there is one young fellow here who has been falsely accused. He told this cup bearer, please remind Pharaoh about me. Listen to this. Genesis 40 verse 23. But the chief cup bearer completely forgot about Joseph.

You know that is how worldly people are. They promise, I will definitely tell Pharaoh about you. Joseph, how can I forget you? You have been so good to me. Do you think I will forget you? Never. I will definitely tell Pharaoh about you.

And he forgets about you. Don't complain. Don't complain when somebody promises they will do something for you. Don't complain when somebody promises they will do something for you. Have you ever complained that fellow promised he would do it for me and he never did it?

And he forgot about him for two years. After two years, next verse, chapter 41 verse 1. Pharaoh had a dream. Then this cup bearer said, Oh, now I remember my mistake, verse 9. Now I remember there was one man who told me to tell you about him.

Two years, I am sorry, I forgot about him. Now I want to tell you something. It was God who made Pharaoh's cup bearer forget about Joseph. You know why? Because if he had remembered about Joseph, when Joseph was 28 years old, Pharaoh would have released him and he would have gone back to his home.

That was not God's will. So God waited and made this man forget. One day when Pharaoh has a dream, then he makes him remember. He says, Now Joseph can be released. That is how Joseph became the ruler in Egypt.

So you see, even when God makes somebody forget, it is with a purpose. So, when Joseph looks back over his life, look at the people he has to give thanks to. You 10 brothers, you sold me to those slaves.

I am so thankful to you. That is how I came to Egypt and became the ruler. If you had not hated me and sent me here, I would be one poor servant in Canaan. Secondly, he goes to party for his wife. I am so thankful that you made some false charge against me and put me in the jail.

Otherwise, I would never have met Pharaoh's butler. I would never have become the ruler in Egypt. The third person, this comparer, oh, you forgot your promise. Thank you so much that you forgot to do what you said.

Otherwise, I would have gone back to Canaan. Have you learned something? That the people who make promises to you and forget, people who accuse you falsely and put you in jail, people who hate you and send you away, they are all fulfilling God's purpose for your life.

That is why we don't grumble or give thanks always, all the time. Because before the worlds were created, He chose you. He knew you. So, brothers and sisters, let us shine like these lights. From now on, I am never going to grumble or complain about anybody or anything.

Giving Thanks in Every Circumstance

I am going to always give thanks. That's great. Let us pray. Let us bow our heads in prayer. Do you believe now that you can give thanks in all situations? Never complain again for the rest of your life.

That everything the devil does, God will make it work for your good. Everything. All the evil people in the world, whatever they do, all the forgetful people in the world, whatever they forget, God will make it work for your good.

So, we give thanks in everything. We say, Lord, fill me with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of thankfulness, the Spirit of praise, delivering me from all murmuring and complaining, so that my heart will be like heaven, my home will be like heaven, my church will be like heaven.