Giving thanks is a necessary part of a Christian’s life. The question is, are you being thankful? The will of God for every Christian is to give thanks. 1 Thessalonians 5:18,“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of
God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
Do you want to be in God’s will as a Christian, then give thanks. God says that
his will for every believer is that they give thanks. If you don’t find yourself
being appreciative then, you need to check your heart.
Unthankful people generally have a poor relationship with God. Being unthankful
is being out of the will of God, and being out of the will of God hinders the full blessing which only He can give us.
A good thing to do which will set you in the right direction toward thankfulness
is when you find your self complaining, stop and give God thanks. Thank him for what he has given you. That was Paul’s attitude in 1 Thess. 5:18.
Below is a good formula that will help you learn to Thank God in these three areas of time, Present, Past and Future. If you cannot thank God in this present time, you will not thank Him in eternity.
- Thank Him for the Present
- Thank Him for the Past
- Thank Him for the Prospective (future)
Thank You, Lord for today. If we are to give thanks for every thing let us start with the Present. Let us began with the things which are going on now. Thank Him because you are alive. If you had not been born you could never know or feel what you now feel.
Thank God for the good things and thank Him for the hard times. Thank God for the present blessings and enjoyments. Such as eating lunch outside. Hugging your children. Talking to a friend who really cares. Thank Him for the good times
you are experiencing today.
Thank Him for any good that you see. The good found in people, places, or possessions(things).
- People(Phil. 1:3)
- Places(Acts 28:15)
- Possessions(Ephesians 5:20)
Thank God for hard times. Most of the things we learn during hard experiences. God normally has our attention when trouble comes. It’s a opportunity to show God’s strength in our weakness. Thank Him in advance because He can turn what seems impossible into a blessing.
Thank God for the Past. As christians we can thank God for past events that brought hope in our life. We can thank Him for saving us. Thank Him for people,
places, and things that, He has used to help you grow. Thank Him for giving you
chances after chances when you did wrong.
Thank God for the Prospective (future). Thank the Lord for the future return to gather His church which is us. Thank Him for forgiveness of sin. Thank Him for the endless promises that await us in glory. Are you grateful for the complete victory, He has and is doing.
Thank God for securing your place in heaven for all time. Thank Him for your past, your present, and your future. Thank Him for helping you know that nothing can separate you from His love (Romans 8:38-39).
Sometimes we don’t want to Thank God. Like the mother that asked her son. “Did you thank Mrs. Jones for the lovely party she gave?” Tommy the son said, “No mommy. The girl leaving just before me thanked her and Mrs. Jones said, ‘Don’t mention it’ – so I didn’t.”
Thank God for both good and bad times. Let us thank Him for past blessings and future promises. Let us show gratitude for what God is doing now and forever.
Let us make a commitment of appreciation when we find our self complaining about something we don’t have or understand. Let us give thanks to the Lord for all He has generously given us.
Thankfulness is a state of mind that takes the Holy Spirit to produce. Without the Holy Spirit true gratitude can not come through our life. You must be born again, to show real thankfulness.
If you really believe something you will be found doing something that reflects what you believe. An example if you say you believe you are going to France.
Then you will be found getting a airplane ticket. Packing your clothes, and preparing your finances to go to France.
But if you were asked, “Are you ready to go to France,” and you say “Yes.” Then
you are asked, “What have you done.” And you say, “Nothing” then you are probably not going to France. You have not done anything towards the belief that you are going to France.
If you are a Christian then you will be Thankful. Christians are thankful. Thankfulness is a response of gratitude by the believer that knows that they do not deserve being forgiven and saved.
That’s why it is so easy to express, thankfulness. We can be grateful because God Himself is working inside our hearts to develop praise which He so rightly deserves. Thank God for His Personage. Thank him for being the person of God (1Cor.15:57; Rev. 4:9). A wonderful spiritual exercise is to write down all
the names describing the goodness of God. Ask yourself, what has he done for me? Thank Him for what He is doing. Thank Him for what He will do through His promises.
Thank God for all you can think of. Express your appreciation directly to Him. To the Person of Jesus Christ with all the gratitude you can give. Show Him you are grateful for His sovereignty and His glory for redeeming you.
Thank Him for giving you His Holy Spirit and living inside of you. Thank Him for a little or a lot. So Examine yourself to see if you are really thankful in everything. Are you Thankful? (Col.1:12;3:15,17 ;4:2 Phil. 4:6;Heb. 13:15)