Give Thanks
Download MP3Giving Thanks is one of the necessary disciplines we need to develop to live a victorious life in Christ.
Let’s look at some Scriptures.
Towards the end of Paul's first letter to the Church of Thessalonica, Paul gave some final instructions.
1 Thessalonians 5 ESV
12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle,[c] encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Let’s look at what he wrote to the Church at Ephesus.
Ephesians 5
15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
And to the Church of Philippi
Philippians 4
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness[d] be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
And to the Church of Colossae
Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Always giving thanks is a discipline you develop in living for Christ.
Now remember, God is love. All his Word commands us to do is from a heart of love. It’s for our benefit.
It’s to our benefit to always have a heart of Thanks and be proactive in all situations by giving thanks.
When a trial comes… our first response is to give thanks. Not for the situation, like a sickness, but we thank God for who he is. Then we can also thank God because his will is based on his Word, not the circumstance and he know his will for us is always good.
Giving thanks helps us be a person of a humble heart and a heart of submission and that’s the person who will experience God’s grace in their life.
“But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” - James 4:6
A disciplined mind and heart that always gives thanks will not so easily be consumed with wrong thoughts of “Why is this happening to me?” Or, “I don’t deserve this!” Or, thoughts of anger and depression will cause us to lose hope and joy.
Hope and joy are vital in our Christian walk and in fighting the good fight of Faith.
“…for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” - Romans 15:13 ESV
“24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” - Romans 8:24-25 ESV
Blessings in Christ,
Tim Dumas
