God,
through the apostle Paul, tells us that we are to use our words for good, specifically
for giving of thanks (read and consider
Ephesians 5:1-4), and we are instructed to give thanks always for all things (Ephesians 5:19-20) and in everything (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18), so it is certainly an area of giving in
which we need to be flourishing!
“…in everything give
thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians
5:18 NKJV)
What can we give thanks for?
A beginning
place is thanking God daily for “life, breath, and all things” (Acts 17:25) because He is our Creator,
Sustainer, and our faithful loving Father, but I think it is important to always
work toward thanking God (and praising Him) for specific things. When we think
about specifics we are developing a real gratitude for His wondrous blessings,
and we are tuning our eyes to see them and preparing our hearts to give thanks
to Him for each one of them!
“I will praise the
name of God with a song, and I will magnify Him with thanksgiving.” (Psalm 69:30 NKJV)
Give Thanks to God For His Provision
For His spiritual
provision:
God daily
loads us with benefits, namely our salvation (Psalm 68:19)! Read and think on John 3:16-17, 1 John 4:9-10 and give
thanks to God for qualifying us “to be partakers of the inheritance,”
for delivering us, conveying us, redeeming us, and forgiving us (Colossians 1:12-14, also read Ephesians
1:3-23). Don’t limit your consideration and giving of thanks for Jesus’
sacrifice to just Sunday when you gather with the church to take communion (the
Lord’s Supper), think about it and learn to appreciate it even more each day.
Let your heart declare: “Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1
Corinthians 15:57), “Thanks be to God who always leads us in
triumph in Christ” (2 Corinthians
2:14), and “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15)
For His physical
provision:
God grants
us ability to work and obtain an income (Deuteronomy
8:18) – have you thanked Him yet
today for your job and your ability to do it? Read and consider Matthew 6:25-34. God
provides us with food, drink, and clothing when we
determine to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. We are often taught
as children to thank God for our meals, and most of us still purposefully pray
in thanksgiving for our food, but how often do we pause in our closets and
thank Him for our clothing? It’s another way to allow our thanksgiving to flourish!
For His
help in times of trouble:
God is the
Father of mercies and God of all comfort (2
Corinthians 1:3-4), and He grants us access to “come boldly to the throne of
grace” – at any time, as many times as needed – “to obtain mercy and find grace
to help in time of need” (Hebrews
4:15). He also wants to provide us with His peace – peace that guards our
hearts and minds through Christ Jesus – all He asks of us is to give Him all
our anxieties, make our requests known to Him through prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6-7). We may be frequent in our asking for His help but do we follow up each
help with a prayer of thanks?
Give Thanks to God For Our Brethren
Paul
provided us with many examples of proclaiming thanks to God for his brothers
and sisters in Christ:
“I thank my God upon
every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you
with joy…” (Philippians 1:3-4)
“We give thanks to the
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard
of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all the saints…” (Colossians 1:3-4)
“We give thanks to God
always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers…” (1
Thessalonians 1:2)
“We are bound to give
thanks to God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith
grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each
other…” (2 Thessalonians 1:3)
See also 2
Timothy 1:3 and Philemon 4-5
Have you given thanks to God for your brethren? They too are a provision from God –
who help us in our walk (2 Timothy 2:22)!
Give Thanks to God For All People And Those in Authority
God gives
us clear instruction in how to speak about “all men, for kings and all who are in
authority,” – this includes MPs, MPPs, Prime Ministers,
Governor-Generals, Senators, Governors, Members of Congress, Vice Presidents,
Presidents, and those campaigning for these positions – we are to make supplications (fervent, heartfelt pleas), intercessions
(pray on their behalf), and giving of thanks for all of them. We,
who know God, who know of His power and ability, who know of His goodness and
love, are to be praying for these men and women – fervently, diligently,
humbly, imploringly and thankfully! They too are a provision from God (read and think on Romans 13:1-7)!
Give Thanks to God Continually With Praise:
Whatever we
do in word or deed, we are to do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, and we are
to give thanks to the Father through Him (Colossians
3:17) – thanking God for life, ability, mobility, His blessings (health, nourishment, clothing, our senses,
transportation), His grace (forgiveness,
His word to guide us, His help, etc.), and for opportunities to do good (Ephesians 2:10, Galatians 6:9-10, Titus 3:14).
“Therefore by Him let
us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our
lips, giving thanks to His name.” (Hebrews 13:15 NKJV)
- If you
awoke to this day – give thanks to God!
- If you have
heard the gospel and obeyed it – give thanks to God!
- If you have
obeyed God’s commands and discovered His wisdom in providing those instructions
– give thanks to God!
- If you had food to eat, water to drink, and clothing to wear - give thanks to God!
- If you see His goodness in your day (Matthew 5:16) – give thanks to God!
- If you have
been helped by your brethren – give thanks to God!
- If you were
able to help another person – give thanks to God!
- If you have
asked Him for help and been helped – give thanks to God!
- If you live
in a country that has laws for your safety – give thanks to God!
Give thanks
to God often and always! Be specific –
it will help you to remember and appreciate all that God has done, all that He
continues to do, and all that He promises to do! Are you ready to flourish in giving? Give thanks to God!
You can do it! So can I!!
