"IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS"

“In Everything Give Thanks”

by Pastor Mark Taylor

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

Giving thanks is an act of the will.  It is something you do on purpose and willingly out of love.  It is an attitude of gratitude. 

During Your Difficult Times Give Thanks.

This verse is saying give thanks “in” your difficult times, not “for” your difficult times.  It is also important to know that God does not cause your difficult times.  Jesus said: “The thief (Satan) does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy.  I have come so that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

It is also important to remember that just because we are children of God, it does not exempt us from difficult times.  Jesus reminds of this when he said: “I have spoken these things to you so that you might have peace in Me.  In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

During Your Good Times Give Thanks.

When things are going good for you – give thanks.  When God hears and answers your prayers – give thanks.  When you think of how blessed you are – give thanks.  When your children learn to be thankful to you and others you are proud of them, the Lord Jesus appreciates your praise and thanksgiving. God is proud of you when you are thankful.

“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto Your name, O most High” (Psalms 92:1).

“By Him, then, let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name” (Hebrews 13:15).

“Praise you the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good: for His mercy endures for ever” (Psalms 106:1).

For Your Future Times Give Thanks.

When you pray, expect God to answer you and thank Him for the answer ahead of time.  This type of thankfulness is an example of faith which pleases God.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).

“Since then we have a great High Priest who has passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted just as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” 

(Hebrews 4:14-16).

Heaven and eternal life is your reward and you can be thankful for it now.

“Yet do not rejoice in this, that the evil spirits are subject to you, rather rejoice because your names are written in Heaven” (Luke 10:20).

Give thanks today for all the blessings you have.  Even in your difficult times, you can give thanks for the people who love you, for the church that ministers to you, and for the God that loves you.

During these Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons, let us truly be thankful.  Let us demonstrate with our lips and our lives how much we love God.

There are 138 passages of Scripture that deal with subject of thanksgiving!