Being Thankful
[!Bible]- 1 Thessalonians 5:18 - KJV In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Do you ever think, "I'm stuck, I don't know what to pray"? If that's the case, start by offering prayers of thanksgiving.
The scripture doesn't say, in every good thing give thanks. It says in every thing give thanks. Sometimes it's hard to thank Him for the trials and the difficult times in life. But, you will find that the greatest blessings grow from praising Him through the toughest times.
This verse also tells you, in offering prayers of thanksgiving, you are doing the will of God. When we offer up praise and thanksgiving to Him, we enter into His perfect will for us.
You may say, "But, right now I'm not feeling very grateful or thankful."
Here are a few things that we can bring to the Lord in worship and thanksgiving.
Salvation
[!Bible]- John 3:16 - KJV For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Thank God for the salvation and restoration He provides. We were badly broken, yet God loved us so much that He brought us out of darkness into His marvelous light. Take some time today to thank Him for the specific things He has brought you from.
Why not ask for boldness to share your testimony with others? There are so many broken people that need an encounter with this same salvation.
Today
[!Bible]- Psalms 118:24 - KJV This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Thank God and rejoice for the precious gift of each day. Ask Him to reveal the things in life you can let go of to allow time for what really matters. This IS the day!
His Word
[!Bible]- 1 Thessalonians 2:13 - KJV For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
There is a phrase, "The more I learn, the less I know." It describes the feeling you get in school, for example, as you begin learning a little about mathematics, you realize there is still so much more to learn. To make matter's worse, when you learn something, it can change as more things are discovered.
The more I learn of His Word, the more I realize that man's knowledge isn't a thimbleful in God's sight.
[!Bible]- Isaiah 55:9 - KJV For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
But, one thing I believe...
[!Bible]- Psalms 119:89 - KJV For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
I can't really trust in man's knowledge, it seems fleeting. So, for this reason, I put my trust in you Lord and thank you for your unchanging Word.
This article is part 1 of the "Thanksgiving" series: