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In a powerful teaching session led by Bishop Benjamin, believers were encouraged to embrace a lifestyle of thanksgiving—a practice that not only honors God’s mercy but also brings deliverance in the midst of affliction. Drawing on scriptural truths and personal testimonies, Bishop Benjamin showed that true gratitude arises when we recognize our need for God’s saving power.

A Call to Thanksgiving and Healing

The session opened with a heartfelt prayer thanking God for His saving grace and for the vision of GoldCare, led by Doctor Simone Gold. The prayer set the tone by asking God to infuse every doctor, nurse, patient, and staff member with a spirit of gratitude. Bishop Benjamin reminded the congregation that being a people of thanksgiving is part of God’s design for us.

He then referenced a key scripture:
“Oh, give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever.”
This verse encapsulates the call to express thankfulness not only for our personal blessings but also for the salvation that God freely offers. In a time when the nation has faced many trials, the teaching emphasized that our collective gratitude can lead to a healing of the land itself.

Bishop Benjamin outlined a divine prescription from 2 Chronicles 7:14:

1. Humble yourselves.
2. Pray.
3. Seek His face.
4. Turn from your wicked ways.

When God’s people follow these steps, He promises to hear from heaven, forgive sins, and heal the land. This teaching challenged believers to consider how much the earth endures because of human sin and to see our responsibility as God’s ambassadors—to either bless or harm the land through our actions.

Jonah: A Type of Christ and a Lesson in Thanksgiving

Bishop Benjamin then turned to the story of Jonah as a profound example of deliverance and the power of a thankful heart. Jonah’s journey is more than just a dramatic tale; it’s a typology pointing to Christ. Although Jonah was cast into the sea and swallowed by a “great fish” (often thought of as a whale), his three-day sojourn inside represents a period of deep reflection and transformation—similar to Jesus’ time in the grave.

Inside the belly of the fish, Jonah prayed fervently. His prayer was not a casual or routine recitation but a raw, heartfelt cry born from affliction. Bishop Benjamin explained that true thanksgiving is often born out of the darkest moments in our lives. When we cannot find anything to thank God for, it signals that we may still be in need of His deliverance.

Jonah’s experience teaches us that even in the most disgusting, confining, and seemingly hopeless situations—comparable to being trapped in a place that resembles hell—we can cry out to God, and He will hear us. Just as Jonah was eventually delivered and sent on his mission, our prayers of thanksgiving can be the turning point that sets us free.

The Power of a Thankful Heart

Throughout the teaching, the emphasis was on the transformative power of thanksgiving. A heart of gratitude:

• Aligns us with God’s Will: When we give thanks for His salvation, we acknowledge that our deliverance comes from Him alone.
• Shapes Our Destiny: Speaking life with our tongues and confessing God’s promises can open doors, bring financial blessings, and create opportunities that surpass our own efforts.
• Heals Our Land: As individuals express genuine thankfulness, God’s mercy flows not only into our lives but also into our communities and nation, healing the damage wrought by sin and neglect.

Bishop Benjamin passionately declared that our salvation is of the Lord—our deliverance isn’t the result of our hard work, our degrees, or our money, but solely of God’s mercy. He encouraged everyone to remember the Pentecostal refrain, “Jesus saves,” as a powerful reminder of the truth that no matter our past, God’s saving grace is available to all.

Personal Testimonies: Deliverance in Action

Interwoven with the teaching were heartfelt testimonies from members of the congregation. Believers shared experiences of:

• Overcoming addiction and personal hardships.
• Finding hope and healing in the midst of war and conflict.
• Experiencing deliverance during moments of intense affliction—much like Jonah’s time in the fish’s belly.

One powerful testimony recalled a time during Desert Shield/Desert Storm when the speaker prayed fervently in a moment of near-despair. In that critical hour, God “swallowed” him in His purpose, allowing him to reflect deeply on his need for salvation. Upon waking, he experienced a profound sense of deliverance and peace—a vivid reminder that when we call out to God, He hears us.

Embracing the Call: Live a Life of Thanksgiving

Bishop Benjamin’s teaching is a clarion call to:

• Embrace Thanksgiving: Let every trial and every blessing become an opportunity to thank God. True thanksgiving isn’t a superficial act—it is born from a deep understanding of God’s saving grace.
• Speak Life: Use your words as a weapon of praise to shape your life and the lives of those around you. Let gratitude be the language that transforms despair into hope.
• Step into Deliverance: Recognize that God’s mercy is not just for the good times but especially in our moments of affliction. When we cry out with sincere thanksgiving, we invite His deliverance into every area of our lives.

As we reflect on these lessons, let us remember that salvation and healing—both personal and communal—begin with a heart of gratitude. No matter how dire our circumstances, when we lift our voices in thanksgiving, we align ourselves with God’s eternal promise that His mercy endures forever.

“Oh, give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever.”

May we all cultivate hearts of thankfulness, trust in God’s deliverance, and speak life into our world, knowing that through gratitude, we participate in the healing of our land and the fulfillment of God’s saving purpose.