GIVE THANKS

By Jerelyn Pearson

 

I’m thankful that we have a national Thanksgiving Holiday. In Louisiana most schools close for the whole week. So, as a public school student and teacher, I have been particularly thankful for that. The fact that my birthday usually falls during Thanksgiving week has given me even more reason to be thankful. Not many working people get a whole week off for their birthday.

Although I express my thanks for this personal benefit of a nice holiday, I am more thankful that I have a much deeper reason and purpose for thanksgiving.

Being thankful is being obedient to God’s Word. The Bible instructs us to be thankful.

Ephesians 5:20
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Philippians 4:6
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Colossians 3:17
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Colossians 4:2
Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

1 Thessalonians 5:18
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

1 Timothy 2:1
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

Hebrews 13:15
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

Jesus himself set an example for giving thanks.

Jesus gave thanks when he fed the multitudes:

Matthew 15:36
And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

He gave thanks at his last supper:

Luke 22:17, 19
17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:
19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

Thanksgiving gives glory to God

2 Corinthians 1:11
Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.

2 Corinthians 4:14-15
14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

2 Corinthians 9:12
For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;

So let everyday be a day of thanksgiving:

• Being obedient to God’s Word
• Following the example of Jesus
• Giving glory to God.

 

 

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Presented November 18, 2018 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana