Thanksgiving
One of the things that darkened the minds of the Greeks after they knew about the existence of God was the fact that they did not give thanks. Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened" (Rom. 1:21). Other translations read, "neither gave thanks."
God warned the Israelites against forgetting Him after they came into the land. "When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee. Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day: lest, when you have eaten and are full, and have built goodly houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks multiply, and your silver and gold is multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied, then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage….Beware lest you say in your heart, `My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.'
You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth; that he may confirm his covenant which he swore to your fathers, as at this day" (Deut. 8:6-18 RSV).
Jesus never forgot. When He received food He gave thanks (Matt. 14:19; 15:36). He followed the lead from Psalm 103:1-5 which tells us to bless (praise and acknowledge God in word and thought) who has given us so many things.
Many people misunderstand and think that they are asking a blessing on the food. That is certainly ok and proper. But, predominantly, in the Scripture when it states that Jesus "blessed" it means that He blessed God who is the source of all good things.
In temple times under the Levitical priesthood, there were provisions for the "sacrifice of thanksgiving." It was part of a peace offering (Lev. 7:11-15). "If he offers it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the thank offering unleavened cakes mixed with oil, unleavened wafers spread with oil, and cakes of fine flour well mixed with oil" (v.12 RSV).
Singers Appointed for Thanksgiving
. Nehemiah followed the lead of David and Asaph and appointed singers for the express purpose of giving thanks in worship to God (Neh. 12:8, 31, 46). And we are told in the New Testament to give thanks for all people. "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way" (1 Tim. 2:1-2).
We are to make a sacrifice of thanksgiving (Psa. 107:22; 116:17). We are to come into God’s presence with thanksgiving (Psa. 95:2). We are to enter His gates with thanksgiving and praise (Psa. 100:4). This implies a people who love God, appreciate what He does, and are happy to come before Him in His congregation.
Because this is so important, it behooves every minister or congregational leader to make sure that services are inspiring, uplifting and free from controversy wherever possible. Churches that are filled with strife, where the pastor is constantly accusing the people, or focusing on a problem that one person has but preaching to the rest, become depressing for God’s people who are supposed to come before Him with thanksgiving and praise.
I have heard people say that they dreaded going to their "church." They said they were in a worse attitude after having attended than they were before they ever went. Now, to be sure, we all have to check our own state of mind. But when it happens week after week that you are not uplifted, not inspired to be better than you are, don’t feel like praising God, we might conclude something is wrong in the services provided for you.
Sometimes it is necessary for a minister to correct. But that should be some of the time not all of the time or even most of the time.
Paul followed Jesus example of giving thanks for food (Acts 27:35). He also thanked God for the brethren as he remembered them (1 Cor. 1:4; 14:18; Phil. 1:3). He thanked God when he met the brethren who had traveled so far to meet him (Acts 28:15).
Paul thanks God for triumphs and victories which God gives us in and through Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:57; 2 Cor. 2:14).
Always Give Thanks
Here is a New Testament command. It’s really not just a suggestion but written forcefully as a command: "giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Eph. 5:20 NKJV). Other translations read: "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (KJV); "always and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father" (RSV); "giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (NRSV).
Note that we are to give thanks in ALWAYS and for ALL THINGS. Even in our most severe trials, even when things seem bleak, dark and foreboding, we are to give thanks. When we come to God with our petitions, supplications and requests they are to be made with THANKSGIVING (Phil. 4:6).
We must never forget what God has given us. We must at all times be aware of His bountiful gifts which He pours out upon us minute by minute day after day! To forget them is to become partially blind and distorted in our mental view of our life and life around us.
Note that creatures far greater than us are said to be giving thanks day and night day after day. "And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all round and within, and day and night they never cease to sing, ‘Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!’ And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to the one who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever; they cast their crowns before the throne, singing, ‘Worthy art thou, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for thou didst create all things, and by thy will they existed and were created.’" (Rev. 4:8-11 RSV).
Do you want to be God’s friend? Would you, yourself, have as a friend a person that you did a lot for, gave many gifts to, listened to, cared for; but who never once thanked you for anything? Or perhaps only thanked you about once out of every thousand or so times for the gifts you have given??
Think of the many gifts we have been given. Air to breathe, children and other people to love. Animals to fascinate us and to be our companions. The beauty of nature, The taste of pure fresh water. The ability to see, to hear, and feel! And those of our other senses.
Think of those who have never heard music of any kind – simply because they cannot hear. They do not know the sound of a saxophone, trumpet, trombone, piano, organ, etc. They do not know the sound of the male or female voice. They don’t know the sound of the birds or cats, dogs or anything in nature.
For those who have been blind, they never saw a sunset, beautiful morning, pretty flowers, the eyes of someone they loved.
We sometimes take them all for granted and forget to thank God for His many wonderful blessings which He pours out upon us and all humankind.
We are urged to do this: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (Col. 3:16-17).
Note that our thanks is directed to God the Father but it comes through Jesus Christ. We can and should give thanks for Him and the gift of forgiveness and grace because of Him as well. That amounts to the greatest of all our gifts.
Give thanks to God. He doesn't need it, but it is good for you -- for your mind, your health and your happiness!
God warned the Israelites against forgetting Him after they came into the land. "When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee. Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day: lest, when you have eaten and are full, and have built goodly houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks multiply, and your silver and gold is multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied, then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage….Beware lest you say in your heart, `My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.'
You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth; that he may confirm his covenant which he swore to your fathers, as at this day" (Deut. 8:6-18 RSV).
Jesus never forgot. When He received food He gave thanks (Matt. 14:19; 15:36). He followed the lead from Psalm 103:1-5 which tells us to bless (praise and acknowledge God in word and thought) who has given us so many things.
Many people misunderstand and think that they are asking a blessing on the food. That is certainly ok and proper. But, predominantly, in the Scripture when it states that Jesus "blessed" it means that He blessed God who is the source of all good things.
In temple times under the Levitical priesthood, there were provisions for the "sacrifice of thanksgiving." It was part of a peace offering (Lev. 7:11-15). "If he offers it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the thank offering unleavened cakes mixed with oil, unleavened wafers spread with oil, and cakes of fine flour well mixed with oil" (v.12 RSV).
Singers Appointed for Thanksgiving
. Nehemiah followed the lead of David and Asaph and appointed singers for the express purpose of giving thanks in worship to God (Neh. 12:8, 31, 46). And we are told in the New Testament to give thanks for all people. "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way" (1 Tim. 2:1-2).
We are to make a sacrifice of thanksgiving (Psa. 107:22; 116:17). We are to come into God’s presence with thanksgiving (Psa. 95:2). We are to enter His gates with thanksgiving and praise (Psa. 100:4). This implies a people who love God, appreciate what He does, and are happy to come before Him in His congregation.
Because this is so important, it behooves every minister or congregational leader to make sure that services are inspiring, uplifting and free from controversy wherever possible. Churches that are filled with strife, where the pastor is constantly accusing the people, or focusing on a problem that one person has but preaching to the rest, become depressing for God’s people who are supposed to come before Him with thanksgiving and praise.
I have heard people say that they dreaded going to their "church." They said they were in a worse attitude after having attended than they were before they ever went. Now, to be sure, we all have to check our own state of mind. But when it happens week after week that you are not uplifted, not inspired to be better than you are, don’t feel like praising God, we might conclude something is wrong in the services provided for you.
Sometimes it is necessary for a minister to correct. But that should be some of the time not all of the time or even most of the time.
Paul followed Jesus example of giving thanks for food (Acts 27:35). He also thanked God for the brethren as he remembered them (1 Cor. 1:4; 14:18; Phil. 1:3). He thanked God when he met the brethren who had traveled so far to meet him (Acts 28:15).
Paul thanks God for triumphs and victories which God gives us in and through Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:57; 2 Cor. 2:14).
Always Give Thanks
Here is a New Testament command. It’s really not just a suggestion but written forcefully as a command: "giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Eph. 5:20 NKJV). Other translations read: "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (KJV); "always and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father" (RSV); "giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (NRSV).
Note that we are to give thanks in ALWAYS and for ALL THINGS. Even in our most severe trials, even when things seem bleak, dark and foreboding, we are to give thanks. When we come to God with our petitions, supplications and requests they are to be made with THANKSGIVING (Phil. 4:6).
We must never forget what God has given us. We must at all times be aware of His bountiful gifts which He pours out upon us minute by minute day after day! To forget them is to become partially blind and distorted in our mental view of our life and life around us.
Note that creatures far greater than us are said to be giving thanks day and night day after day. "And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all round and within, and day and night they never cease to sing, ‘Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!’ And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to the one who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever; they cast their crowns before the throne, singing, ‘Worthy art thou, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for thou didst create all things, and by thy will they existed and were created.’" (Rev. 4:8-11 RSV).
Do you want to be God’s friend? Would you, yourself, have as a friend a person that you did a lot for, gave many gifts to, listened to, cared for; but who never once thanked you for anything? Or perhaps only thanked you about once out of every thousand or so times for the gifts you have given??
Think of the many gifts we have been given. Air to breathe, children and other people to love. Animals to fascinate us and to be our companions. The beauty of nature, The taste of pure fresh water. The ability to see, to hear, and feel! And those of our other senses.
Think of those who have never heard music of any kind – simply because they cannot hear. They do not know the sound of a saxophone, trumpet, trombone, piano, organ, etc. They do not know the sound of the male or female voice. They don’t know the sound of the birds or cats, dogs or anything in nature.
For those who have been blind, they never saw a sunset, beautiful morning, pretty flowers, the eyes of someone they loved.
We sometimes take them all for granted and forget to thank God for His many wonderful blessings which He pours out upon us and all humankind.
We are urged to do this: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (Col. 3:16-17).
Note that our thanks is directed to God the Father but it comes through Jesus Christ. We can and should give thanks for Him and the gift of forgiveness and grace because of Him as well. That amounts to the greatest of all our gifts.
Give thanks to God. He doesn't need it, but it is good for you -- for your mind, your health and your happiness!
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