Thankfulness is described as a vital factor to the apostle Paul and in the Word of God as a whole. Some combination of the word is found 169 times in 162 verses in the NASB and 195 times in 186 verses in the NET Bible. As we study it in the New Testament, the concept of thankfulness arises from two Greek words being used.
The first is charizomai, which comes from a chair and is, “grace.”The second is homologeo, “to confess, acknowledge,”(Heb. 13:15), (cf. also exomologeo, [Matt.11:251).
Thankfulness is a mental and verbal expression of one’s acknowledgement and appreciation of God’s person, His grace, blessings, and sovereign work in one’s life and the world.
Through the possession and function of these qualities, we become thankful. So, let us identify some things that should drive our Thanksgiving. You can read related posts on our music page of the site.
Thank God for the Material Blessings That He Gives You-1Chronicles 29:12-14
We are never satisfied with what we have whether rich or poor, healthy or sick. What are material blessings? Mention three material things God gave to you this year. How can we thank God for material blessings?
Thank God for the People in Your Life
Romans 1:8, 1 Corinthians 1:4-5, Philippians 1:3-5,1 Thess 1:2, Philemon 1:4. It is so easy to take people for granted or even complain and be irritated because they do not meet our every wish. But we need to thank those around us- our spouses, children, relatives, friends, and others who help us somehow.
If you have not let others know that you appreciate and are thankful for them, make sure you do that.? When a group of believers (whom Paul had never met) came out to greet him as he approached Rome.
We read that “at the sight of these men Paul thanked God and was encouraged”(Acts 28:15, NIV). Thank God for those who touch your life. Mention three persons who have helped you this year.
In what ways did these persons help you? Share with about one of them. You may wish not to mention names. How should we appreciate people who have helped us to succeed in life? Mention three ways we should show appreciation to family members.
Thank God during Trials and EvenPersecution
Thess. 5:18, Colossians 1:12, Daniel 6:10, James 1:2- We draw back from difficulties, yet none of us is exempt from trouble. In many parts of the world, it is dangerous even to be a Christian because of persecution.
And yet, amid those trials, we can thank God because He has been with us for a very long time doing wonders in our lives. He always uses the suffering period to move closer to us and draw us nearer to Himself.
I don’t know what trials you may be facing right now, but God does, and He loves you and is with you by His Holy Spirit. Cultivate a spirit of thankfulness even amid trials and heartaches.
“God has given us the greatest Gift of all Son, who died on the cross and rose again so that we will have a personal encounter with Him and we will spend eternal life with Him in heaven.”
Mention one specific trial you experienced this year.
Why should we thank God even amid our challenges?
In what ways can we thank God for our trials and temptations?
Thank God Especially for Our Salvation in Jesus Christ
John 3:16,2Corinthians 9:15. God gave us the greatest gift of His Son so that we may know Him and spend eternal life with Him in heaven. The Bible tells us that we are separated from God because we have sinned. But God loves us. He loves you, loves me, and wants us to be part of His family forever.
Our God loves us to the extent that He gave us His only Son into the world to die sacrificially for our sins. We need to reach out in faith and accept Christ as our Saviour and Lord. Why is the birth and death of Jesus Christ the greatest gift we have received? Why should we thank God for the gift of salvation?
Thank God for His Continued Presence and Power in Your Life
Matthew 28:18, 20, Ephesians 5:20, Philippians 2:13. When we come to Christ, it is not the end but the beginning of a whole new life! He is with us, and He wants to help us follow Him and His Word.
We do not have the strength to live the way God wants us to live, In many countries, a particular day is set aside each year for Thanksgiving. But for the Christian, every day can be a day of thanksgiving. However, we always set aside a special day for Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is a choice between gratitude and ingratitude, selflessness, and selfishness, Sometimes, we justify that we have more reasons to complain than commend the Lord for what He constantly does in our lives, Are you in the grateful or ungrateful camp?
Thank God for His goodness Psalm 145:8
God is a good God. He is good to us, not because we are good to Him, or because we deserve His goodness, but because it is His nature. His greatness is unsearchable. He is the high and lofty one who inhabits eternity, and His name is holy. God is a good God, and he is deserving of our praise.
We ought to declare the mighty works that he has done, from the days of the bible, till now, in our lives. The Lord does terrible things in righteousness. He does mighty things. He is good, kind and tender to all.
In His grace and mercy, He saved us. He rescued us from the damnation and separated us from the perishing. As you continue to meditate on the goodness of God, you will be overflowing with gratitude and thanksgiving.
Thank God for His faithfulness Exodus 12:3-14
In Exodus 12:3-14, God instructs Moses and Aaron to gather the people and establish a sacred tradition. They are to take a lamb, slaughter it, and mark their doorposts with its blood.
This act serves as a sign of protection, as God will pass over the homes marked with the blood, sparing the firstborns from death. The Lord commands the Israelites to observe this feast as a lasting memorial to remember their liberation and God’s faithfulness.
Conclusion
While we may not observe the Feast of Passover today, the concept of remembrance and gratitude remains relevant. Just as the Israelites were called to remember their deliverance, we, too, are called to remember God’s redemptive work in our lives.
It is essential to reflect on our personal stories of God’s faithfulness, the moments He has rescued us, provided for us and brought us through difficult times.
