Thankfulness

Thankfulness

Ephesians 5:20- “always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father”.

1 Thessalonians 5:18- “in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”.

Why do we give thanks?

What is thankfulness?

·      “feeling or expressing gratitude; appreciative” (dictionary.com)

·      Gratitude: “warmly or deeply appreciative of kindness or benefits received” (dictionary.com)

What kindness did we receive?

   Colossians 2:13-14- “When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross”.

·     We received the kindness of Christ taking our torture and death, dying the most painful death invented. He did nothing to deserve what he received. He took it so that we could be in relationship with God.

What benefit did we receive?

·     Hebrews 4:15-16- “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need”.

·      *We received the benefit of Jesus having been through a life that we are living, yet without sin. He didn’t start His ministry until He was 30. He lived a life prior to that- he was a baby, toddler, child, preteen, teen, and adult. He’s been through the thick of it. Yet He did it all without sinning. We can come to Him knowing that He has been through it and desires to help us get through it as well.

How do we give thanks always and in all circumstances?

·      “A Biblically grateful and thankful person is someone who appreciates both how undeserving he/she is before God and how generous God is to them”. –Greg Simas

·      *We are called to give thanks IN all circumstances, not FOR all circumstances. In every circumstance, if we can look beyond it, we will find God.

·      God promises that He will not leave or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6 and Joshua 1:5).

·      2 Corinthians 1:4- “who comforts us in all our afflictions, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (ESV). The footnotes of my study Bible says that “One of God’s purposes in the suffering of Christians is that they would experience direct, personal comfort from God”. In hard times, look beyond the difficult circumstance, find God, and allow Him to comfort you.

·      Learn to say: Thank you that in this circumstance, I can find You.

What are you thankful for?-

·      *Happy/Blessings?

·      *Tragedy/Loss/Grief?