Thanksgiving special: Now all these things are from God

Thanksgiving special: Now all these things are from God,.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

1TH 5:18, in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

In everything give thanks. No exceptions, no excuses, nothing is outside those parameters, in everything give thanks.

The little phrase
en panti
means in connection with everything that occurs.

In connection with everything in life give thanks no matter what it might be, with obvious exceptions of personal sin.

No matter what the situation we are to find reason to thank God.

Being unthankful is the very essence of the unregenerate heart.

He refuses to do what is basic and that is to thank God for
everything.

First of all, there are those people who go through life thinking that things happen as a result of luck. If it doesn’t happen the way it ought to happen for them, they become bitter and complaining and angry and hostile and life takes on a sour kind of meaning.

Even though they may try to manipulate the lucky factors of life, they are unsuccessful and so they have no thankfulness at all.

Then there are those fatalists in the world who don’t necessarily think that luck is in charge, they think there is some exorable force out there.

Then there are those people in the third category who believe that somehow they can control their life. The world is made up of these kinds of thankless people.

For an unregenerate person to be unthankful is normal. For a Christian to be unthankful is abnormal.

ROM 8:28, We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.

If you live believing that, if you truly love God, God is at work sovereignly controlling all of the contingencies of life, blending them all together.

Each component in your life leading to a sovereignly designed goal for your good and God’s glory, then you can handle anything in life and be thankful because you know it fits in to the ultimate plan.

When we see the end result of what God is doing, blending everything in our lives for ultimate good and glory, then we can in everything give thanks.

ROM 8:29, For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren;

Isn’t it interesting how we somehow fail to be thankful.
This has got to be one of the most thankless ages there ever was.

2CO 4:15, or all things are for your sakes, that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.

2CO 9:11, You will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.

Not only do you have salvation but you have everything.

2PE 1:4, For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that by them you might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.

2CO 9:10, Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness;

In Ephesians chapter 5 the Apostle Paul writing at the beginning of the chapter EPH 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;

EPH 5:2-4, and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. But do not let immorality or any impurity or greed even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

When they open their mouth they’re expressing gratitude to
God.

EPH 5:18-20, And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;

A Spirit filled believer is a normal believer and a thankful believer who is a joyful believer and a praying believer. If you’re filled with the Spirit, you’re going to be giving thanks for everything.

PHI 4:6, Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
PHI 4:6, Stop worrying about anything, but in every circumstance through prayer and through supplication for personal needs after thanksgivings let your requests or petitions be revealed to the God.

COL 2:6-7, As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.

COL 3:15, Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts to which indeed you were called in one body and be thankful.
COL 3:17, And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
COL 4:2, Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;