SCRIPTURE GEMS - 13

SCRIPTURE GEMS – 13

How often we forget to say “Thank-you” for the kindness of others.  Even more important is a heart full of thankfulness to our precious Father in heaven for the kindness in grace and mercy He has showered upon us.  Our entire day and night is filled with His loving kindness to us.  David can teach us so much about thankfulness as he expresses it over and over in Psalms.  Ps.100:4; Ps.103:1-5

As we think of just what thankfulness is, we need to look inside our heart to see if we are just saying words or if we are we really thankful.  Thankfulness can be defined as gratitude, gratefulness, appreciation, indebtedness for whatever has been given or done.  It might be material but it could also be friendship, understanding, compassion, a listener, and so many other ways.

Anything for which we can be thankful for others, we can also be thankful to God for He causes or allows others to bless us in these ways.  1 Thess.5:18   In everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Too often, our thanks is confined to food, if then.  Many times we say the words without sincere appreciation and gratefulness.  Jesus gives us several example to follow in this regard. Jhn.6:11   Habit it may be, but our hearts need to be full of gratitude.  We have so much for which to be thankful as we partake of the Lord’s Supper.  We are so indebted to our Lord for our salvation as we remember what He did for us.  Thankfulness from our heart would be part of our partaking in a worthy manner.  1 Cor.11:24, 27; 2 Cor.9:15

As Christians we no longer offer sacrifices that were required by the old law.  Now we offer spiritual sacrifices.  1 Pet.2:5   Our praise to God is a spiritual sacrifice.  Heb.13:15   We give our bodies as a living sacrifice.  Rom.12:1   Our financial offerings are an acceptable sacrifice that are described as a fragrant aroma.  Phil.4:18   David speaks of thanksgiving as a sacrifice.  Ps.116:17

Scripture gives examples of those that did not return thanks.  One of these was in Jesus’ life when He healed ten lepers.  Leprosy was a terrible disease and kept one isolated from home, family, work, and friends.  Yet when Jesus healed these ten, only one of them returned to Jesus in thankfulness for what He had done.  Lk.17:16   How often we accept blessings from our Lord as if we deserve them and go on our way without any recognition of gratitude.

Another example is found in Rom.1:21.  These knew God (just as we think we know God) and yet they did not honor Him as God nor thank Him.  We honor God when we thank Him.  Our appreciation of His blessings shows Him that we know the source of all He gives us.  David says that the righteous will give thanks.  Ps.140:13

Many are the examples of Paul being thankful for the faithful.  1 Thess.2:13;  1Thess.3:9   Paul was so thankful that they had accepted the Word and changed their lives.  Eph.1:15,16 is another place where Paul gives thanks and prays for Christians in Ephesus.  Their faith was strong and also their love for one another.  Does that show in us?

Jesus gives a strong example when Lazarus was raised from the dead.  Jhn.11:41-43   Those around Jesus thought this was a bad idea.  Jesus knew better and these verses indicate His belief that His prayer was answered before Lazarus came forth.  We, also, are to pray, believing.

We are commanded to be thankful.  Why wouldn’t we?  Yet this adds emphasis that we should.  Phil.4:6   We love the fact that we can place our problems on the Lord; however, we sometimes forget the with thanksgiving.  Do we have to be thankful when we are so anxious?  We are so thankful we can place our trust in our Lord.  Col.2:7   Paul commended the Colossians as their faith was established, that they were not just thankful but overflowing with gratitude.  They were also told to be thankful in Col.3:15.

Do we have to give thanks for everything?  Eph.5:20   This is God’s will.  Remember that we are strengthened with problems.  Do we want to grow stronger in the faith?  Jam.1:2,3   God gives us the victory, so we are thankful.  1 Cor.15:57   God sees us through.  1 Tim.4:4

Someday we want to be a part of all the thanksgiving around God’s throne.  Rev.7:12   Let’s start now!  1 Thess.5:18   In everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.