Hebron Christian Faith Church - Teaching
Welcome to the Pastor’s Pen, a personal teaching that brings you up-to-date messages from the Pastor’s heart concerning God’s unfolding word ‘in season’ for our church. These are additional, bite-sized extras to our regular, more in-depth Sunday teaching series.
Pastor’s Pen
February 2010
Developing an Attitude of Thanksgiving
"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear" Heb 12:28 (NKJV)
There is a significant difference between the NKJV and th NIV version of this verse. The NKJV says "let us have grace" whereas the NIV says, "let us be thankful". Both are acceptable translations because in Greek to have grace ('Charis') is to say 'thank you'. There is therefore a biblical link between the grace of God and being thankful, we cannot separate the two. When we are unthankful we do not appropriate or enjoy the grace that God has provided for us. This is simply because grace is received by faith and not by merit or effort, and faith is always expressd in thankfulness. Thus when we truly have faith in God's grace, we will be thankful.
"Rejoice always....in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" 1 Thess 5:16-18
What is God's will for you & me? To give thanks in everything. We have so much to be thankful for in Christ Jesus. Maybe not in our circumstances, not in how we feel, not in how well or how badly we are doing, but 'in Christ'. So we could say that if we are not giving thanks, we are not in the will of God. Perhaps that's why, at times, God can seem so distant from us. He has given us a prescribed way of coming into His presence in Ps 100. Firstly, "into His gates with thanksgiving" then "into His courts with praise" . This is the way we access God's presence, not just bombarding Him with our needs and desires, but by firstly being thankful and praising Him for who He is. When we focus on the eternal, unchanging aspects of God's nature and His goodness to us, then we will be thankful. When we focus on our circumstances, which are subject to change, we will become bogged down by them. But the word of God is never subject to change, it will remain forever, and God stands over His word to perform it. in our lives when we trust Him.
"Whatever you do, in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him" Col 3:17
The bible teaches us to give thanks in all that we say and do. This attitude has to be developed in our lives. It doesn't come 'naturally' . Being thankful is a powerful tool in the armoury of a Christian. It displays a faith and a confidence in God's word that is not moved by circumstances. Thanksgiving is a reflection of our faith. If we truly believe God is faithful to do what He says He will do, then we will be thankful, regardless of what we feel.
But what do we do when we are facing a problem? Phil 4:6 gives us the answer. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds throught Jesus Christ"
Worrying and fretting cannot change a situation and does absolutely no good at all. In fact it only makes things worse. The bible tells us not to fret because it leads to evil (Ps 37:8 NIV). Worry distracts us and causes us to get our focus onto the problem and off God and His promises. Worrying can become a habit and can have a detrimental affect on our health. When we entertain worry, it dominates our thoughts, and consequently our words and actions. We are now not in faith and have ceased to be thankful. The scripture teaches us not to be anxious, but to pray, to cast our care onto the Lord, with thanksgiving, and then we will have His peace in our heart and in our mind. Continually releasing our cares to God is the only way to prevent worry and stress from crowding in on us. What we think is vital. Worry leads to evil, prayer with thanksgiving leads to peace!
Thanksgiving also releases the supernatural, miracle working power of God. When Jesus fed 5000 men plus women and children, His only resource was 5 loaves and 2 fish. Jesus did not pray, He did not ask God to do anything. But He did give thanks for what He had in His hand and when He gave it away, then God miraculously multiplied it. Thanksgiving will always result in us experiencing the grace and power of God in greater degrees. It silences murmoring and complaining, worrying and fretting, and results in us enjoying our life in the grace of God. So let's develop a thankful attititude in every area of our lives.
