Federated Thanks Giving

We receive many blessings from God and it behooves us to thank Him, to acknowledge the gifts He has so graciously bestowed upon us. We take God’s blessings for granted when we are ungrateful, indifferent or unresponsive. An ancient proverb says a gift unacknowledged is a gift unreceived.

Paul enjoins the Thessalonians in his first letter: Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

You recall when Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown in prison for rescuing a slave girl from a demon spirit. What did they NOT do? They did not whine, complain, feel sorry for their pitiful selves, or point fingers of accusation at God as do so many. No, they understood that God was still with them and that there was still much for which to be grateful. They glorified God, sung hymns, prayed, praised and witnessed to the jailers about the salvation offered through Jesus Christ. How did God respond? He worked on the hearts of men, which resulted in Paul and Silas’ release.

Now, notice Paul does not say we need to be thankful FOR everything. He is not telling us to thank God for our car breaking down or for having a job we hate. This is inane. Paul doe not tell us to be thankful FOR the negative circumstances we find ourselves in, but rather, to be thankful IN the circumstance. There is a huge difference here. Thus, we do not thank God for having been robbed or abused, but IN that circumstance, we will still render thanks.

Paul and Silas did not thank God they were beaten and imprisoned. Rather, they prayed asking God for His support and comfort IN their situation. They prayed asking God to be with them IN prison and that even their bloody backs and confinement might somehow be used for the advancement of the Gospel.  Secondly, they gave thanks. They thanked God that they were counted worthy to suffer for Jesus’ sake. They thanked God that He supported and lifted them up. They thanked Him that they could feel His divine presence and consolation so sweet and strong in their souls.

Not only did they pray and praise God, but they also sang praises to Him at midnight. At midnight I rise to give you thanks for your righteous laws. Psalm 119:62. Paul and Silas sang so loud they were heard all over the prison. IN all things, be thankful.

We, God’s People…

We thank God for the liberty by which Christ Jesus our Lord has set us free.

We thank God for our faith in Him and in the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ, which covers all of our sins.

We thank God for all that He has done for us, with us, in us and in spite of us. We live in a perpetual state of thanksgiving.

We thank God for sustaining us, despite ourselves, and for the gifts He has so generously given us, talents, abilities, a mind and a motivation to use all in His service and for the sake of Jesus Christ

We thank God for the gifts of friendships, affections, sharing, and kindness.

We thank God for the words of wisdom given to us from others that helps us to keep focused on the cross.

We thank God for the words of love that has prevented us from falling, backsliding, or going astray.

We thank God for the smiles that have been encouraging, the pats on the back that affirms a job well done.

We thank God for the thoughtful things people do that say, “you are special to me.”

We thank God for the prayers of friends during our midnight hours when we cannot not see our way too clearly.

We thank God for our hubpage family, present and future and for the acknowledgment of each other’s unique perspective and ministering grace.

We thank God for the understanding we are given when we are not feeling well, or when we make mistakes, or when we need space to work out some difficulty, or when we need time to just commune with Him in our own way.

We thank God for the fellowship of believers and the bond of Christian love.

We thank God for His Spirit that lives in us; for the peace that defies human understanding, for the sufficiency of His amazing grace and the unconditional love and forgiveness He has given us - for while we were still sinning, still acting foolishly, still running around lost, Christ died.

We thank God for the gift of life and for the gift of life in Him.

We thank God for looking beyond our faults and pitiful state and ministering to our deepest needs.

We thank God for all the troubles in our lives that strengthens, trials that remind us that without Him, we can do nothing, but with Him, we can speak mountains of obstacles out of our way.

We thank God for all the challenges that drive us to our knees in humble submission and that leads us to a deeper relationship and closer walk with Him.

We thank God for that day when He touched us, tapped us on the shoulder, called us by name and commissioned us to His service.

We thank God for the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, through whom all who trust in Him shall have eternal life.

We thank God for our future in Him, however long or short it may be.

We thank God for what He has done, is doing, and will do in our lives.

We thank God for the triumphs we will yet have over Satan, for the dark valleys He will yet bring us through, for the strength He will give us in every future situation.

We thank God for His patience and longsuffering, compassion and mercy, and for not dealing with us according to our sins.

We thank God for the goodness and mercy He has shown to others all over the world.

We thank God in all things, remembered and not remembered.

We thank God for the blessings we have yet to receive and for the blessing we will be to others, for the souls that will yet be brought to Him through our particular ministry.

We thank God for His sovereignty and the comfort derived in knowing that when all is said and done, He has the last word.

Now, join me as I join the Psalmist in giving praise and thanksgiving to Almighty God right now, for He is worthy and His mercy endures forever.

I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High. Psalm 7:17

Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men. Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy. Psalm 107:21-22