Tag: Give Thanks

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Let It Be From The Heart

17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. ~ Colossians 3:17

Paul tells us to let every word that rom your mouth and every action be done in the name of Jesus. Matter of fact, Paul doesn’t stop there. He tells us to not only do and say every in the name of Jesus but with thanksgiving to God the Father through Jesus. In other words, we give thanks to God the Father by doing and saying everything in the name of the LORD Jesus.

The only way to do anything for the Father is through Jesus. Jesus said no man can come to Father except through Him. Therefore, when we act and speak in the name of Jesus, it goes before God the Father. And when we act and speak in the name of the LORD Jesus our thanksgiving can be brought before God the Father.

So, today, Thanksgiving Day, don’t just simply say one or two things you are thankful for. Instead, let everything you do be done in the name of Jesus. In other words, don’t let it ever be surface level actions or words but from a heart that truly desires to follow Christ and further His Kingdom. When we change our focus our words and actions will follow suit.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Let It Be From The Heart.

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Let Thanksgiving Be Your Default

4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise: Be thankful unto Him, and bless His Name. 5 For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting; And His truth endureth to all generations. ~ Psalms 100:4-5 (KJV)

One of the most repeated lines in the entire Bible is “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His steadfast love endures forever,” or some variation of it. It appears over 30 times in the Old Testament alone—more than almost any other refrain. That tells us something: God wants this truth drilled deep into our souls, one for every day of the month… it would seem.

It is a major biblical theme that teaches that God is always good in all circumstances and that His goodness calls His people to respond with a heart of thanksgiving. Neither God’s love nor His goodness is based on any circumstances, nor on our behavior, nor on our emotions. God’s steadfast love and His enduring goodness are a part of His own Character.

God’s character is perfectly consistent. He cannot act contrary to His own nature because His integrity, His mercy, and His faithfulness are all absolute. Therefore, even if people fall away, God’s plans and purposes remain intact. God is unchanging, immutable, and cannot contradict His own essence.

Think about that for a moment. The eternal, all-powerful God—who said, “Let there be light,” and there was light, and that light has never stopped shining, who holds every atom together by the word of His power—chooses to be good to us – to you and to me. Not because we deserve it. Not because we earned it, but because goodness is who He is.

When the sun rises tomorrow morning, it will rise because God is faithful. When your heart beats another 80,000 times today without you even thinking about it, that is God being good. When you woke up this morning and your family was still safe under your roof, that is God’s mercy on display.

Thankfulness is not an optional emotion for the Christian—it is the only rational response to a God who is this good all the time. The Bible commands… encourages… and prompts us to be thankful. And when we begin to truly think about all that God has done for us, how can we be anything but thankful.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Let Thanksgiving Be Your Default.

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Build A Heart of Thanksgiving

[18] Thus says the Lord: Behold, I will restore the fortunes of the tents of Jacob and have compassion on his dwellings; the city shall be rebuilt on its mound, and the palace shall stand where it used to be. [19]  Out of them shall come songs of thanksgiving, and the voices of those who celebrate. I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will make them honored, and they shall not be small. ~ Jeremiah 30:18-19 ESV

God promised to restore and rebuild Jacob, that is the direct, physical descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. When He promised that, He said from them will come songs of thanksgiving and the voices of those who celebrate. So, restoring and rebuilding and ultimately reclaiming them as His people and He their God will involve a heart of thankfulness, for the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. If this is the ultimate goal for Israel, should we not also strive for this goal as the Church?

How do we train our brains and cultivate a heart of thankfulness? As you go through your day, be conscious and aware of your surroundings and what is happening around you.

Take special note of 3 to 5 things that happen during your day that you are thankful for. It doesn’t have to be huge things; it can be, but it doesn’t have to be.

Think about those 3 to 5 things and at the end of the day, write them down in your Gratitude Journal. Reflect on them as you lie on your bed and link them back to the goodness of God. Be intentional, be consistent, and be reflective.

Writing down what you’re grateful for strengthens the neural pathways in the prefrontal cortex, which helps regulate emotions and reduce anxiety.

You must be specific… Instead of saying, “I’m thankful for my family,” say, “I’m thankful for my mom, who came to my rescue by driving me to the store to buy such and such.”

Or, “I’m thankful for my sister who encouraged me today when I was feeling bad about myself.”

Relate that to God and His goodness. “Father, I am so thankful that You gave me the mother that I have. She is always encouraging me and looking out for my best interests. If she had not driven me to the store today, I would have been really stuck.”

Be sure to be consistent, because consistency matters. Science shows that even small, regular gratitude practices – daily or several times a week – can rewire neural pathways to make gratitude a habit and reduce anxiety over time.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Build A Heart of Thanksgiving.

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Feed Your Mind Thanksgiving

5 And you shall make response before the LORD your God, ‘A wandering Aramean was my father. And he went down into Egypt and sojourned there, few in number, and there he became a nation, great, mighty, and populous. 6 And the Egyptians treated us harshly and humiliated us and laid on us hard labor. 7 Then we cried to the LORD, the God of our fathers, and the LORD heard our voice and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression. 8 And the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great deeds of terror, with signs and wonders. 9 And He brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. 10 And behold, now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground, which You, O LORD, have given me.’ And you shall set it down before the LORD your God and worship before the LORD your God. 11 And you shall rejoice in all the good that the LORD your God has given to you and to your house, you, and the Levite, and the sojourner who is among you. ~ Deuteronomy 26:5-11

God was teaching the people how to reflect on and remember the goodness He had done for them,  thereby training their brains to be thankful.

Think about the prophet Habakkuk. Crops failing, fig trees not blossoming, no cattle in the stalls—total economic collapse coming. Yet in Habakkuk 3:17–18 he says, “Yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.” That’s gratitude when there’s nothing in the pantry.

Or think about Paul and Silas in the Philippian jail—backs bleeding, feet in stocks, midnight darkness—and what do they do? Acts 16:25 says they were praying and singing hymns of praise to God. The prison shook, the doors flew open, and the jailer got saved. Gratitude literally shook the foundations!

Now, here’s the fascinating thing: what God commanded thousands of years ago, modern science is only now catching up to. You see, gratitude isn’t just a nice feeling—it actually changes how our brains work.

Scientific studies using brain scans have shown that practicing thankfulness activates some of the same areas of the brain that process anxiety, like the amygdala, which handles fear, and the medial prefrontal cortex, which helps us regulate our emotions.

In other words, being grateful helps our brains manage stress, anxiety, and worry more effectively. So, what are we to do? Remember the goodness of God and give thanks with a grateful heart. Allow your thanksgiving to change your perspective.

Peace.  Love. Go Forth and Feed Your Mind Thanksgiving.

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Thankfulness Is Good Medicine

Thanksgiving is a time that we take a moment and give thanks for all that we have. We go out of our way to be thankful, or at the very least, say something we are thankful for. But what if we weren’t only thankful on Thanksgiving Day right before we enjoy our deliciously prepared turkey? What would happen? Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he explains the necessity of thanksgiving in his Thanksgiving message, Thankfulness Is Good Medicine.

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Be Thankful Like A Thessalonian

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

This is the end of Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians. It was a letter of encouragement to them, as they had received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia (1 Thessalonians 1:6-7). They were a sounding gong to all around them. Paul even goes as far as to say that he and his companions didn’t need to speak a Word because they (the Church in Thessalonica) had already spread the Word so well. So, he just reminds them of the teachings he has already taught them and ends his letter with encouragement to continue in the faith.

This is where he states his famous words “give thanks in all circumstances” a phrase often taken out of context and/or misunderstood. See, Paul encouraged them with these words not because God’s will was for them to suffer, but because they were suffering persecution and God’s will was (and always will be) for His people to overcome the persecution and tribulation of the world. The tools he gave them to do this? Rejoice Always. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in all circumstances.

We are to give thanks IN all circumstances, not FOR all circumstances. It’s our weapon for overcoming. It’s our tool to make it through to the other side of persecution. Thanksgiving is how we enter into the gates of the LORD (Psalms 100:4). Entering the gates of the LORD is how we get renewed in our spirit. It’s how we are refreshed. It’s how we soar on wings like eagles, so that we can run and not be weary, walk and not be faint.

Giving thanks in all circumstances isn’t for God, but for us. It isn’t a cruel instruction by Paul from God. It’s a tool given to us to not only survive this world and all of its woes, but a tool to overcome this world and live a life more abundantly, regardless of our circumstances. Regardless of what may come. Our joy will never be stifled as long as we give thanks.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Be Thankful Like A Thessalonian.

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Show Your Thankfulness

Romans 5:8 (ESV)

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

There is nothing that we can do to cause God to love us more. He loved us so very much that He gave His only begotten Son as a sacrifice so that we might be saved.

As Charles Finney taught, God’s love and grace are gifts that are not earned, but they demand a response of faith and obedience, aligning with the humility of being “poor in spirit” and Jesus’ fulfillment of the Law (Matthew 5:17-19).

Therefore, show God how grateful and thankful you are for His love, mercy, and grace by honoring Him with your actions. By loving by the law of Christ: loving God with all your heart, mind, and soul, and loving your neighbor as yourself.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Show Your Thankfulness.

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Lean Into Thanksgiving Power

4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. ~ Psalms 100:4

We are called to come before God with hearts full of gratitude. Thankfulness is not just a suggestion; it’s a key that opens the gates of God’s holy presence. When we give thanks, we acknowledge God’s goodness, His faithfulness, and His love. It’s a reminder that no matter what we’re going through, there is always something to be thankful for, and that thankfulness can lead us into deeper intimacy with God.

When we take the time to express gratitude, we shift our focus from what we lack to the abundance of God’s provision and care. It aligns our hearts with His heart, allowing us to experience His peace and joy. It allows us to apart anxiety, stress, and doubt. It allows to put our trust and faith in the LORD our provider.

We don’t give thanks to God because He’s an egotistical God. No. We give thanks because it changes us. The more thankful of a person you are the softer your heart is towards God and your fellow man. Therefore, use the tool of Thanksgiving to soften your heart. To block our anxiety and stress. And to refocus on all that God has done for you.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Lean Into Thanksgiving Power.

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Be Thankful For Something

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

The Apostle Paul gives us a powerful reminder in these verses—give thanks in all circumstances. I want you to notice something. Paul doesn’t say “give thanks for all circumstances.” No. Paul says, “give thanks IN all circumstances.” This is important. It’s not about being thankful for every difficulty but about maintaining a heart of gratitude in those difficulties.

The Greek word for “give thanks” here is eucharisteō, which means:
• To express gratitude
• To offer praise to God
• To be thankful for God’s blessings, even when life is tough

So, how do we give thanks in all circumstances? We choose to look at the glass being half full instead of half empty. We choose to look at God who makes a way where there is no way. We choose give thanks—even when things don’t look the way we hoped. Thankfulness is a choice. It’s a decision to focus on what God has done, rather than what is lacking.

So, no matter what today brings, let’s choose to be thankful. There’s always something to be grateful for when we see the hand of God at work in our lives.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Be Thankful For Something.

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Honoring Sacrifice, Finding Strength

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends (John 15:13).

On this Memorial Day, we pause to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice, giving their lives in service to others. Their courage reflects a profound truth Jesus spoke in John 15:13—there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for others. This holiday invites us to reflect not only on the sacrifices of service members but also on the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who gave His life for our salvation. Both remind us that love, at its core, is selfless and sacrificial.

As we remember those who died for our freedom, we’re also called to consider how we live in response to such sacrifices. The freedoms we enjoy—whether to worship, to love, or to pursue our purpose—come at a cost that someone else paid. Similarly, the spiritual freedom we have through Christ’s sacrifice calls us to live with gratitude and purpose. Yet, living out this calling can be challenging. We may feel weary from daily struggles, uncertain about the future, or overwhelmed by division in our world. In these moments, we can draw strength from God’s presence, just as Isaiah 40:31 promises: those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength, soaring like eagles, running without weariness, walking without fainting.

Memorial Day is a time to honor, but also to recommit. How can we honor the fallen and Christ’s sacrifice all at the same time? It might be through acts of service, praying for peace, or extending love to those around us. But either way, it commands us to do something, say something, and be the light. As we place our hope in God, He equips us to live lives that reflect gratitude for both earthly and eternal sacrifices. Today, let’s hold space for remembrance and ask God to renew our strength to love sacrificially, as He does.

Father, thank You for placing me exactly where I was born and where I am now. It is because of Your grace and Your mercy that I heard the Good News of Hope in Jesus Christ Your Son. Thank You for Your grace and Your mercy, for without it, where would we be? Thank You for the freedom that we have in Christ, in Jesus’ mighty name I pray, amen.

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