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| Todd Tomasella | Thanks - Giving |
“Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;” Ephesians 5:20
Todd Tomasella: The
instruction to give thanks appears 35 times in Scripture. Picture yourself literally
handing a gift to someone. Okay, we are to give thanks to God hand it
over. As believers we have been given the mandate and privilege of giving
thanks daily for the blessing of Jesus Christ who is the propitiation (atoning
sacrifice) for the remission of our sins. (Romans 3:25) We can also be thankful
for the innumerable blessings we now have and those awaiting us in eternity. We
are to give thanks always for all things.
“In everything give thanks: for this is
the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Thanksgiving Day is a holiday instituted
in America to pause and give thanks for all we have, yet for the believer,
thanksgiving is to be a perpetual state of the heart, confession of the mouth,
and way of life. Cultivating a thankful heart is essential to contentment and
peace. Thanksgiving also displaces
covetousness.
”Be careful for nothing; but in everything
by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known
unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep
your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
Giving thanks is also an indispensable
element of prayer. Peace is associated with it (Phil. 4:6-7). Peace and
contentment are the fruits of the heart that is full of continual thanksgiving.
Many times in Scripture, prayer and giving thanks are coupled together.
“Continue in prayer, and watch in the
same with thanksgiving.” Colossians 4:2
In our times of prayer, and all day
long, we should learn to cultivate a heart that is thankful for all of the
things we do have – and tell God and
others with our mouths.
Have you found that when you are busy verbalizing to God and others, your thanksgiving for all He has blessed you with, murmuring, complaining, discontent and covetousness find no home in your heart? Thanksgiving displaces all of these enemies to our walk with Christ.
Are not His abundant blessings reason to
burst forth with exuberant praise and thanksgiving? Remember that the LORD is
worthy of your praise and thanks and that a thankful life is one of peace and
contentment.
—– “WHERE THERE IS TRUE PRAYER, THERE THANKSGIVING AND GRATITUDE STAND
BY, READY TO RESPOND TO THE ANSWER WHEN IT COMES. AS PRAYER BRINGS THE ANSWER,
SO THE ANSWER BRINGS FORTH GRATITUDE AND PRAISE. AS PRAYER SETS GOD TO WORK, SO
ANSWERED PRAYER SETS THANKSGIVING TO WORK. THANKSGIVING FOLLOWS ANSWERED PRAYER
JUST AS DAY SUCCEEDS NIGHT. TRUE PRAYER AND GRATITUDE LEAD TO FULL
CONSECRATION, AND CONSECRATION LEADS TO MORE PRAYING AND BETTER PRAYING. A
CONSECRATED LIFE IS A LIFE OF BOTH PRAYER AND THANKSGIVING.” E.M. BOUNDS, E.M.
BOUNDS ON PRAYER, P. 308
PRAYER: LORD
Jesus, thank You for my every breath and the privilege to be your creation and
ambassador. Make me to be abundantly fruitful in your kingdom this day. I love
you my LORD Jesus. Amen by Todd Tomasella.
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