“Thanksgiving” -or “giving thanks to the Lord” -Is a healthy, “over-coming” injection of powerful brain “dopamine” chemicals into our nervous system.(as described in another post”A New Heart-20/01/15) When we give “thanks – giving” to the Lord – depressing anxieties are over-ridden! There-fore Thanks-giving -or giving thanks to the lord is another proof of the scientific benefits of the bible. “Being in an attitude of thanks-giving,” or “giving thanks” we forget this world’s problems as a believer who is united in the victorious, Resurrected Lord. We are confessing and re-living this spirit of freedom and joy now. Now by giving thanks in all circumstances we have this extra strength to resist the bad news of the enemy and keep going until the end of our race.
This is stated in 1 Cor: 10: 16 with a qualifying intro in v ; 15 ” I speak to sensible people” ( only sensible people will read this blog – Amen?!) ” Judge for your- selves what I say.v:16 Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks ; a participation in the blood of Christ ? ..”
We show that we are participating in the sacrifice and resurrection power of the Lord Jesus when we confess ( and remember ; ” what we confess – we possess !” ) out- loud if possible , and with power and conviction – ” thank – you Jesus .” This is when over – coming the dark forces of ” the enemy ” – of whom Jesus spoke in the Lord ‘ s Prayer .
We are thanking the Lord for His Grace and for our salvation which He has poured out for us , undeserved as it is . We are thanking Jesus for the necessary sin sacrifice for us on the cross. 2 Cor. 5: 21 ” God made Him who knew no sin to become a sin offering for us so that in Him we might know ( and become reconciled to ) the righteousness of God. ”
We have this assurance from His victory purchased already for us on the cross . Heb. 10 ;19 ” there-fore brothers and sisters , since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place ( the nearest , Most Sacred relation – ship ) by the blood of Jesus , – ( our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit – Amen ? – ” ..God in us and we in Him . ” 1 Jn. 4 : 15 ) – by a new and living way ..let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith. ” Thanks be to Jesus !
We can give thanks to the Lord because we know that – Ps 100 ; 3 ” Know that the Lord is God ; It is He who made us and we are His. ” Or – 1 Cor : 6 : 19, 20 : “..You are not your own ; You were bought at a price . There fore honor God ..” Honoring includes giving Him thanks .
We are also humbling our- selves ; acknowledging that God is our savior and bowing our spiritual knee to Him . This is exercising ” our renewed mind ” in advance of His second coming . Isaiah 45 ; 23; Phil 2 ; 10 ; ” when every Knee will bow ” We become part of the heavenly host of worshipers now .
In this new attitude of humility we are doing spiritual warfare .
The devil likes to accuse , attack and defeat individuals and humanity because we are all wonderfully made in the image of God . So in acknowledging and thanking God for His goodness , by the same power in us it is easy to smile at and /or encourage people we meet and build them up . We are combating the evil one by spreading our over – flow of God’ s love into the world . It can easily make their day ! You will be blessed for it as well. ( and it doesn’t cost you anything ). John 4 : 29 ” Don’ t speak any un – wholesome words , but only what builds people up according to their needs..”. What modern motivational ” gems ” Gods’ Word contains !
Rev. 12 : 10 “..Now has come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God , and the authority of His Christ. For the accuser of our brothers ..has been hurled down.” v 11 ” They ( should be -” we ” ) overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their ( our ) testimony.., ( ie ” We give thanks and praise To you, Jesus ” ) The deceit of the devil – ” who has led the whole world astray ” ; Rev. 12 : 9 . – include ” ( selfie ” )- pride , vanity and independence , ( ” I’ ll do it my way ! ” ) . Instead of living a selfish life alone , we live a selfless life in communion with the Lord .
The importance of ” giving thanks ‘ is found in scripture , such as in 2 Cor 5: 21 …so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God . ” We are as a living testament to God’s presence or ” kingdom” on earth when we publicly and privately give thanks to God . We are as children of light chasing the shadows of darkness when we speak His name with gratitude and power .
Doesn’t Paul say in 2 Cor. 6: 2″ fellow workers .. I tell you , now is the time of God’s favor , now is the day of His salvation. The book of Hebrews 13: 5 says ” I will never leave you nor forsake you ” These and many more verses are words of assurance for us – His Children . ” Praise the Lord : and again I say Praise the Lord !! ”
In return , He only asks of us to acknowledge Him as in Psalm 116: 17 ” I will give sacrifices of thanksgiving , and will call upon the name of the Lord.” Also Col 1:11 .. joyfully give thanks to God the Father , who has qualified us to share in the wonderful inheritance of the saints , in the kingdom of light “.
Jesus showed the importance of giving thanks’ to God for everything , when He Him – self gave thanks to God His father as an example for us to follow . In Mark 14: 23 ” He took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it “. There are at least 10 other incidents of Jesus doing this ; as with giving thanks for the seven loaves of bread and the few fish in Mathew 15: 36 .
Do we fall short in the expectations or measurement in the Lord?
Don Gossett in His book ” Dynamite In Praise ” Chpt. 7 , says ” We should have an ” attitude of Gratitude ” . In Rom 1: 21 ” because when they knew God they did not glorify Him , nor were they thankful , they became vain. .their foolish hearts were darkened . ” Ingratitude extinguishes the light of God in our heart. ”
Sarcasm and cynicism become destructive , illegal occupiers in our hearts and minds. We must appropriate ; then apply – our victory of Jesus for us – daily in our lives . This is by sacrifices of praise and worship , even 10 times every day . You will find ” resurrection life ” in your day the more you practice it !
If you are tired and dis- heartened – ” Lighten up ! ” ” Persevere and strive toward the prize.. don’t look back! ! Remember ” no trial has seized you except what is common to man . But God is faithful , He will not let you be tested beyond what you can bear ” – 1 Cor 10:13 . Thank God ! Thank God ! Get in the ” Champions corner ” and share His victory in your daily struggles and you will not be defeated !
Psalm 100 says ” Shout for Joy to the Lord , all the earth ( including us) Worship the Lord with Gladness V: 4 ” Enter His gates with thanksgiving and enter His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name...his faithfulness continues through all generations .” Even to us- you and me- now!
This is further qualified by 1 Thess . 5:16″ Be joyful always ; pray continually ; Give Thanks in all circumstances (even being burnt at the stake -as many martyrs did)– why ?-” For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you “.
It can’t be said any more clearer than this .