When we give God our thanks and praise the way the Bible tells us, we release supernatural authority over whatever situation we are facing. Biblical thanksgiving is not just a worldly holiday tradition or a religious activity, but rather an everyday spiritual tool. It frees us from stress and pressure while God is getting personally involved on our behalf. When we are grateful, thankful Christians, powerful supernatural forces from heaven are unleashed that cause things to work for us the way they should.
Embracing an attitude of thanks is pleasing to God.
It is God’s will for us to give thanks in every situation (1 Thessalonians 5:18, AMP).
We do not give thanks for bad things happening, but we do thank Him for delivering and protecting us, and showing us His goodness.
We can be thankful regardless of the circumstances.
When Jesus healed the ten lepers, only one of them thanked Him. Jesus told the man his faith had made him whole (Luke 17:13-19).
There is a connection between thanksgiving and faith.
In the Old Testament, God cursed those who would not glorify Him with a thankful heart (Malachi 2:1, 2).
This was under the Law of Moses, but even under grace, thanksgiving is still important.
Jesus gave thanks before He fed the multitudes. There was plenty of food left over (John 6:11-14).
He turned a “not enough” situation into a “more than enough” situation by giving thanks.
When He raised Lazarus from the dead, He began by thanking God first for always hearing Him (John 11:41, 42).
We can thank God for what He has already done through the finished works of Jesus.
We get heaven’s attention when we give thanks.
When we praise God, He always shows up.
When Peter and John were released after being arrested and warned not to preach the Gospel, they lifted their voices to God and praised Him. After they prayed, the place was shaken, they were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke boldly (Acts 4:24, 31).
When Paul and Silas were in prison, they sang and praised God. Suddenly, an earthquake shook the prison, opening the cell doors and loosening their bonds (Acts 16:25, 26).
God hates grumbling and complaining, but He loves to be praised.
He promises that when we praise and thank Him, He will answer us before we call, and He will hear while we are still speaking (Isaiah 65:24).
We are instructed to praise Him. If we do, He in return promises to bless us (Psalm 67:5, 6).
Scripture References
1 Thessalonians 5:18, AMP
Acts 4:24, 31
Luke 17:13-19
Acts 16:25, 26
Malachi 2:1, 2
Isaiah 65:24
John 6:11-14
John 11:41, 42
Psalm 67:5, 6
Thanksgiving: A Fuse to Faith
In God’s eyes, thanksgiving is much more than just a 24-hour period that occurs once a year. Giving thanks to Him is not only the fuse that ignites our faith, it is also the spiritual fuel that releases a great deal of authority. On a spiritual level, the deliberate act of thanking Him is the force that causes the door to remain open while power is being transferred from the realm of the unseen to the realm of the visible. When we ask what we should do while we are waiting for the physical manifestation of what we prayed for, thanksgiving is the answer to the question. This is what keeps us focused on God.
Keeping our hearts in an attitude of thanksgiving is an act of faith that God honors.
We have received Christ, and we must walk in Him. Being established in Him builds up our faith, and helps us to give thanks abundantly (Colossians 2:6, 7).
Our faith will not be complete without increasing our thanks and praise.
We are saved by grace, through faith. Faith takes possession of what grace has made available.
It is of faith that it may be by grace that we obtain God’s promises (Romans 4:16).
We can go through the motions and pretend to have faith, but thanksgiving is the key ingredient bringing all the blessings to pass.
The Bible tells us not to worry or be anxious, but in all our prayers to give thanks to God (Philippians 4:6).
This commandment is for everyone, not just for a select few.
Our thanksgiving is for our sake, so that we may experience abundant grace for the glory of God (2 Corinthians 4:15, AMP).
Divine favor and spiritual blessings will extend to more people, and multiply through the many.
We give thanks because God is good, and His mercy endures forever (1 Chronicles 16:34).
We can thank Him in good times, but it is especially important to thank Him in tough times as well.
The voices of joy and gladness are found in the mouth of those who thank and praise God. He promises He will bless us when we do this (Jeremiah 33:11, AMP).
He will restore everything to us the way it was in the beginning. Our joyful songs will once again be heard.
Thanking Him is simply the right thing to do.
Those who refuse to give thanks and glory can become vain, and their heart will be darkened (Romans 1:21, AMP).
When we know and recognize God but do not thank Him, our reasoning becomes foolish and we lose all sense.
God desires us to give thanks in everything (1 Thessalonians 5:18, AMP).
Regardless of the circumstances or how bad the situation seems, He wants us to thank Him. We are in Christ, Who is the Revealer and Mediator of the Father’s will.
The Scriptures plainly tell us what our proper spiritual attitude should be.
Always give thanks for everything, in Jesus’ name (Ephesians 5:20).
Sinful behavior is inappropriate for the saints of God on earth. Giving thanks instead is the proper thing to do (Ephesians 5:3, 4).
When we pray, we go to God. When we give thanks, He comes to us.
Being thankful lets God’s peace rule in our heart (Colossians 3:15).
We enter into His courts with praise and thanksgiving, blessing His name (Psalm 100:4).
Enter into His presence with thanksgiving, singing, and making a joyful noise (Psalm 95:2).
Scripture References
Colossians 2:6, 7
Romans 4:16
Philippians 4:6
2 Corinthians 4:15, AMP
1 Chronicles 16:34
Jeremiah 33:11, AMP
Romans 1:21, AMP
1 Thessalonians 5:18, AMP
Ephesians 5:3, 4, 20
Colossians 3:15
Psalm 100:4
Psalm 95:2
No comments:
Post a Comment