Living By Faith Blog

Giving Thanks

Sadly, giving thanks to God can become routine.

So, to prepare for Thanksgiving, I thought I would list steps we can take to make our giving of thanks more meaningful.

Here are steps I am taking –

Thank God Humbly

Thanking someone means recognizing that what they gave you was a free gift given to you by grace alone.

And the fact that it was by grace alone, means we did not earn it, or deserve it.

This is true regarding other people’s gifts to us.  But it is infinitely more true when it comes to God giving up his son for us – and all we through the gift of his son.

So as we thank God, let’s humble ourselves with the truth that all of God’s gifts are by his mercy alone, and we don’t deserve any of them.

Thank God Worshipfully

The more humbly we thank God for his undeserved gifts, the more clearly we will see his grace and mercy.

So as we give thanks, see and feel the beauty of our God who is a constantly flowing fountain of undeserved grace to all who humble themselves before him.

Thank God Specifically

Don’t settle for general, vague thanksgiving.  God deserves heartfelt thanks for every gift he gives, because every gift was purchased for you by the blood of his Son.

So thank God for —

• your husband,
• your wife,
• your children,
• your parents,
• brothers and sisters in the body of Christ,
• abilities he has given you,
• answers to prayer,
• your last paycheck,
• ministry breakthroughs,
• wisdom in decisions,
• strength through trials,
• the certainty of heaven,
• forgiveness through the Cross,
• and more.

Thank God Hopefully

Sometimes, because of trials, we can wonder if God is fulfilling his promises to us.  We can wonder if God has abandoned, or forsaken us.

But when we earnestly thank God for gracious gifts he has given, this will remind us that God is always good, loving, and faithful (Deuteronomy 32:4).

As a result, the Holy Spirit will deepen our hope in God.  He will strengthen our confidence that God is being faithful now, and that he will continue to be faithful in the future.

Thank God Publicly

I am not talking about speaking publicly in church, although if you are at a service which allows that, it would be a wonderful way to worship God.

I am talking about conversations during Thanksgiving Dinner, or prayer at the Thanksgiving Dinner, where you can share your thanks to God for his many blessings.

As you publicly thank God, others will be stirred to join you in thanking God.

As a result, everyone will be strengthened in faith, and God will be praised and glorified.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Questions?  Comments?

I’d love to hear them.  Leave a reply below — thanks.

Picture from compfight by Stuck in Customs.