The Power of Thanksgiving

Being thankful is so much more than good manners or a social nicety.  It is the very thing that connects you to the grace of God!

Whether we realize it or not, God’s grace is the very element we desperately need in every area of our lives.  It is so much more than most people realize it is.  Me included.

Ephesians 2:8 states, “For by grace are you saved through faith;  and that not of yourselves:  it is the gift of God.”

EVERYTHING we receive from God is by grace.  Everything.  Eternal life, every answer, every provision, every healing, every deliverance, wisdom, understanding, and forgiveness is given to us by His grace.  Every talent, every ability, every breath we take is given to us by His grace.  He only relates to man in this way.  By grace.  It is ALL a gift from Him.

We get messed up when we expect God to do something for us based on what we have or have not done. If we think we DESERVE God to move on our behalf, we have just cut ourselves off from His help.  We do not now nor will we ever DESERVE anything from Him.  Friends, God is good to us and shows us favor and kindness not because we are good, but because HE is good, and He chose to be good to us based on His goodness!  Wow, what a God!  What a Father!  Therefore thanksgiving should be in our mouth and on our lips at all times!

1 Thessalonians 5:18 - “in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”

For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  Why is that?  Because He has already been gracious to you and He wants you opened up so you can receive His goodness!  He has already given you everything you need for your life!  If someone has given you something, what is your response?  Thank you!  We’re thanking God that He’s causing us to triumph, making a way where there seems to be no way and bringing us victory in every area of our lives and everything He has called us to do!

Thanksgiving is the great grace connector!  It is the voice of faith!

Expressing thanks causes your focus to go from yourself to your Savior, your Healer, your Provider, your Deliverer, to the One Who is just looking to and fro in the earth for faith - so He can show Himself strong on your behalf!

As Keith Moore said in his series, “Thanksgiving Victory”, there is no in between.  You’re either thankful or unthankful.  There is no gray area.  It is one or the other.  If you are experiencing darkness in any area of your life, thanksgiving is your answer!  Be thankful and give thanks to God!  Begin thanking Him for everything you can think of, and not only now, but everyday cultivate this lifestyle of thanksgiving!  It will keep you out of darkness and on a bright path where His grace can abound unto you!

“But thanks be to God, Who in Christ always leads us in triumph, and through us spreads and makes evident the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere.”  2 Cor 2:14 (amp)