The Power of Thanksgiving

Being thankful is so much more than good manners.  It is the very thing that connects us 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.  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, through faith.  Everything.  Faith, absolutely, but first, it's by grace.  Our faith must have something to attach itself to, and God made the first move with His GRACE - the absolute undeserved, unearned breath, life and goodness of God .  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 must answer His overwhelming grace with a thankful / grateful and strong voice of faith and surrender to Him, His word and His authority!

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 mouths 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 respond to and 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 absolutely do thank Him and acknowledge Him after we receive!  It would be prideful to not!  However, faith also thanks God before we hold it or see it!  Faith thanks God ahead of receiving - knowing His grace has already provided it and He keeps His Word!  We need to quit begging and start thanking Him!  

Expressing thanks causes our focus to go from ourselves to our Savior, our Healer, our Provider, our Deliverer, to the One Who is just looking to and fro in the earth for faith - so He can show Himself strong on our behalf!   Cultivating a lifestyle of thanksgiving will keep us out of darkness, and on a bright path where His grace can abound unto us!  
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"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)