A THANKSGIVING DEVOTION
The Science of Thanksgiving
I love it when modern day science "discovers" what the Bible has told us is true for millennia.
Let me give you a Thanksgiving example.
According to the Wall Street Journal, recent scientific research has found that materialistic people are less happy than their peers. They experience fewer positive emotions, are less satisfied with life and suffer higher levels of anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. For more than two decades, studies have consistently found that people who score high on a scientifically developed materialism scale score low on scales used to measure happiness. Researchers found that the more materialistic people were, the less satisfied they were with the amount of fun and enjoyment they experienced in their day-to-day life.
The Conclusion? When we base our identity on our stuff, when we bae our happiness on our stuff, when our stuff represents everything we've worked for and everything we live for, we end up with less joy, satisfaction, and fulfillment.
The research also found an inverse relationship between materialism and gratitude. The more people had, the less likely they were to be thankful. However, researchers found they could "flip the script." Researchers had students write in a journal each day about five things they were grateful for.
Students who did this for just five weeks experienced the benefits of it for five months!
As people work on becoming more grateful, they become less materialistic and experience a whole host of positive results. Again, from research reported on in the Wall Street Journal, adults who frequently feel grateful have more energy, optimism, social connections and happiness than those who do not. Thankful people are also less likely to be depressed, envious, greedy or alcoholics. In addition, they earn more money, sleep more soundly, exercise more regularly and have greater resistance to viral infections.
Philippians 4:6-7 says, Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. For 2,000 years these words have taught us that giving thanks will protect our heart and mind from negative emotions while filling us with a peace that defies explanation, and scientific researchers are now saying, "Ah, yeah, that's correct."
So, with Thanksgiving coming, I challenge you, in your daily prayer time, to express five specific things from the previous 24 hours that you are grateful for. If you take this challenge, you'll experience a host of positive benefits.
That's the Bible's promise, and now after 2,000 years, scientists agree.
Pastor Phil
I love it when modern day science "discovers" what the Bible has told us is true for millennia.
Let me give you a Thanksgiving example.
According to the Wall Street Journal, recent scientific research has found that materialistic people are less happy than their peers. They experience fewer positive emotions, are less satisfied with life and suffer higher levels of anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. For more than two decades, studies have consistently found that people who score high on a scientifically developed materialism scale score low on scales used to measure happiness. Researchers found that the more materialistic people were, the less satisfied they were with the amount of fun and enjoyment they experienced in their day-to-day life.
The Conclusion? When we base our identity on our stuff, when we bae our happiness on our stuff, when our stuff represents everything we've worked for and everything we live for, we end up with less joy, satisfaction, and fulfillment.
The research also found an inverse relationship between materialism and gratitude. The more people had, the less likely they were to be thankful. However, researchers found they could "flip the script." Researchers had students write in a journal each day about five things they were grateful for.
Students who did this for just five weeks experienced the benefits of it for five months!
As people work on becoming more grateful, they become less materialistic and experience a whole host of positive results. Again, from research reported on in the Wall Street Journal, adults who frequently feel grateful have more energy, optimism, social connections and happiness than those who do not. Thankful people are also less likely to be depressed, envious, greedy or alcoholics. In addition, they earn more money, sleep more soundly, exercise more regularly and have greater resistance to viral infections.
Philippians 4:6-7 says, Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. For 2,000 years these words have taught us that giving thanks will protect our heart and mind from negative emotions while filling us with a peace that defies explanation, and scientific researchers are now saying, "Ah, yeah, that's correct."
So, with Thanksgiving coming, I challenge you, in your daily prayer time, to express five specific things from the previous 24 hours that you are grateful for. If you take this challenge, you'll experience a host of positive benefits.
That's the Bible's promise, and now after 2,000 years, scientists agree.
Pastor Phil
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What's Happening??
Thursday, November 29th
12:30 PM
Luncheon & Guest Speaker:
Pastor Phil Sommerville
What's Happening at PGCC?
12:30 PM
Luncheon & Guest Speaker:
Pastor Phil Sommerville
What's Happening at PGCC?
Listen to our Sunday messages here! 
On-Line Giving
GIVING MADE EASY
with
On-Line Giving
Click the link and follow instructions. If you need help call the church office (916) 771-4447 and ask for Cyndi.
Click Here
with
On-Line Giving
Click the link and follow instructions. If you need help call the church office (916) 771-4447 and ask for Cyndi.
Click Here
Missionary of the Month
As we anticipate continuing to reach out to our new communities nearby, we are challenged and blessed to be able to partner with NorCal in impacting others for Christ.
Bible Studies
Our Fall Bible Studies are beginning this month. It is never too late to start. We will have daytime and evening studies for Men, Women and Mixed. Pick up a Bible Study Brochure at the Guest Services Counter on Sundays or stop in the office Monday-Thursday between 9:00 & 4:00.
Spend time in the Bible with us here at PGCC!
PLEASANT GROVE COMMUNITY CHURCH (PGCC) serves West Roseville and the surrounding communities to proclaim the life changing message of Jesus Christ. We are located at 1730 Pleasant Grove Blvd near Fiddyment.
We come together every Sunday at 10:00 AM for worship and offer a variety of ministry opportunities for men and women throughout the week.
For information about how to connect please contact the church office at (916) 771- 4447
Monday through Thursday between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM or stop by the Guest Services
counter in the lobby Sunday mornings.
We come together every Sunday at 10:00 AM for worship and offer a variety of ministry opportunities for men and women throughout the week.
For information about how to connect please contact the church office at (916) 771- 4447
Monday through Thursday between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM or stop by the Guest Services
counter in the lobby Sunday mornings.
