During winter in my part of the world, we don’t often get warm, sunny days. God blessed us with one of those days earlier this season. As I left the office to go home, a man said, “What a wonderful day we’re having. This is a gift from God.” I replied, “Yeah, but there’s going to be a major snowstorm later this week.” Oops. What an ugly display of ingratitude. To change my ways, I’m on a quest to build a life and theology of thanksgiving. The apostle Paul, in his letters, is helping me get there.
Paul mentioned the subject of thanksgiving in his letters more often—line for line—than any other Greek author (pagan or Christian). Here are a few lessons he taught us about thanksgiving:
1. Thanksgiving should be primarily directed to God. People are created by God, and Paul gave thanks to Him for their growth, love, faith, risks, receiving and accepting the Word, and more (Romans 16:4; 1 Corinthians 1:4; 1 Thessalonians 1:2).
2. Thanksgiving should be given always—unceasingly. This meant that he regularly carved out time to make sure that thanksgiving played a prominent role in his prayer life (Colossians 3:15).
3. Thanksgiving flows from a heart changed by God. Grace, God’s favor and salvation through Jesus, leads to the response, “God, thank You” (vv.12-15).
4. Thanksgiving is given through Jesus, for everything (Ephesians 5:20; Colossians 3:15,17).
5. Thanksgiving is an important part of praise and worship (vv.16-17). 6. The ultimate goal of thanksgiving is to glorify God (2 Corinthians 4:15).
Let’s ask God to help us realize all He’s done for us, and respond with gratitude.
More:
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
Patsy on March 17, 2010 at 7:53 am
Thank you for today’s message. It is too easy to get bogged down in our day to day lives without giving thanks to our Lord who died so that we might have abundant life. Coming up to Easter is such a good time to reflect on His sacrifice.
I love the verse from Col 3:17 that says that what ever we do we should do it all in the name of our Lord Jesus, giving thanks to the Father through Him.
bethanyF on March 17, 2010 at 11:16 am
Praise God. I am struggling writing one of my final papers for school. I graduate in May with my bachelor’s but I am having doubts about grad school and feeling inadaquate. I pray that God will be lifted up and that I will stop worrying about how or what I am doing and worry about how I am raising him up. I am thankful for Easter so close ahead. Praise Him!
Soldier4Christ on March 17, 2010 at 11:18 am
Thanking God for everything, wow what a concept. It is truly something that we should all do everyday. God is so good to us, One area that I have been struggling with is something that should be so simple. When i was younger and going to church regularly I was in the habit for asking the blessing for my food but as I strayed from the path I stopped doing that at every meal. Now I am firmly back on the path and walking with God but I find that I am having trouble in this area of asking for blessing at meal times. It’s something so simple but for some reason so hard to remember to do. I would ask for your prayers that I would be able to remember to thank God for the food that He provides at every meal.
fieldlily on March 17, 2010 at 3:30 pm
It is not easy to start a habit, but remembering to give thanks, when we are such self centered beings, makes it harder. Try inviting the Lord to the table to join you for your meal, if you feel His presence it might make it easier to remember.
When I am feeling stressed out and angry about the way things are going, I have to remind myself of all the blessings the Lord has given me. I am then able to give thanks even when things are crazy. Some days it is a real struggle and I often fail. Thankfully, the Lord doesn’t give up on me.
I give thanks for all of you and these devotionals.
mikan on March 17, 2010 at 5:18 pm
The message was really great. I am so blessed and again been reminded by God. He always teaches me that I am not only to give thanks during happy moments but in all circumstances that comes into my life.
HE assures me that everything that happens to me is with a purpose.
Glory to God!? ???
unionwife on March 19, 2010 at 8:57 am
Praise the Lord! It’s so very easy to forget to say thank you for everything the Lord has done for me. But one thing I have noticed – when I give thanks, not only am I only more thankful, but I am graced with a spirit of peace, a spirit of joy, and a spirit gratitude! When I get a gift, I remember to tell the person “thanks!” and when I do not only is the gift better and more enjoyable, but the person knows how much I appreciate it.
If it’s so simple to say thank you for a material gift, and to feel the smile, then just imagine the smile when in every prayer a thanks is given? AMAZING! Life is hard and comes at us from all sides. But giving thanks can be the difference between a day of smiles and a day of growls.
Thank you Father God! In Jesus’ name Amen
GiGi on March 17, 2010 at 6:39 am
riri, I too have had a former co-worker waging a battle against me. It has grown me and moved me into new directions and, although she has meant it for evil, God has used it for good. Thanking Him for even the bad because it allows us to grow in faith and trust him even more. Stay strong in the Lord and pray for your co-worker, she may be battling her own demons…
MMattke on March 17, 2010 at 10:22 am
Praise to the Lord for the Holy Spirit who daily strives to remind us of His love and blessings! Our God did not leave us comfortless!! Praise his Holy Name and gentle reminders..