THANKSGIVING: IT’S FOR YOUR GOOD

Thursday 3 April

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV).

giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. Colossians 1:12 (NKJV).

I’m sure you have heard people say that you should always be thankful. Have you ever asked yourself the question, why? One thing you learn about God is whenever He gives you an instruction in His Word it is always for our good. This will not be an exhaustive list but here are a few reasons why we should give thanks.

Let me start with the most obvious reason. Jesus is absolutely worthy of it. He is the only one that died and took the penalty for our sins and gave us the free gift of eternal salvation. Nobody else could do it for us. He did it and gives everyone an opportunity to become a child of God. Even in His perfect sacrifice for us, He shows His benevolence and lovingkindness toward us.

Confession. Words are powerful. They are the bridge between the natural and the supernatural. When we give thanks, we are acknowledging what we say has a positive effect on the outcome of our circumstances. Truth be told, we are either building bridges to what we don’t want or what we do want.

Choose the ‘do wants’ construction. Complaining is thanks in the negative so don’t complain when you get what you said. ‘You shall have whatsoever you say’. Speak life over every circumstance based on your status and not the situation.

Perspective. Thanksgiving helps to shift your focus from the problem to the solution. ‘Looking away from everything that distracts and looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of faith’. This ties into Confession. Think about it. If all you are looking at is the lack and not the provision then your self talk will begin to reflect what you are dwelling upon. If you however are looking at ‘abundance of grace’ then you will talk grace and favour.

Receiving mode. When you are thankless, complaining and negative in general, your spirit will most likely be closed to receiving all the benefits and blessings that belong to you in Christ Jesus. Proverbs says ‘Death and life is in the power of the tongue and they that love it will eat the fruit of it. It also says in Romans 8:6b ‘the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace’. Our minds and our mouths must be in agreement if we want to experience our inheritance.

For us to be partakers of this inheritance we need to learn to walk out the thankfulness principle. Giving thanks although part of our new nature in Christ, will take time to develop. It is something that you must consciously practice to get in the habit of doing. When we say inheritance, it comprises of every spiritual blessing that we have been blessed with in the heavenlies in Christ.

Generosity. When you are intentional in counting your blessings and thanking the Lord for all the good things in your life, you will find yourself being liberal and generous with the time, talent and treasure that God has made available to you.

When we are generous we are acting like God. The word ‘godliness’ is more accurately rendered as godlikeness. James 1:5(b) says God gives generously and liberally to all without finding fault. Less time to be ‘judgy’ about others; an added bonus.

Think of all the benefits of salvation. The Holy Spirit, healing, wealth (which is health and well being), peace, joy, faith, hope, love etc. Aren’t these priceless gifts in Christ more than enough to be thankful for?

Eucharistos in Greek means mindful of favours, grateful, thankful, liberal and even winning! I don’t know about you, but I want to show thanks to ‘display the wonderful deeds, virtues and perfections of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvellous light!’ Thankfulness is winning, so keep winning everyday.

APPLICATION

Take some time out of your day to make a list of all the things that you can be thankful for and get into the habit of speaking words of thanksgiving and gratitude to God.