Ephesian 5:19-20 Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In 1 Thessalonians 5,l8 the Bible admonishes us to give thanks in everything, for this is the will of God concerning you in Christ JESUS. When we pray according to His will He hears us; thanksgiving is the will of God. In Hebrew l0,36 it says: For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise. The will of God is to give thanks in everything.

Thanksgiving is also an appreciation for GOD’s past deeds -- when we thank God for his past deeds, He will take care of the future. Whatever faith starts, thanksgiving will make it perfect. Each time we thank God for something, it will never remain the same: In Luke 17, 4-19 ten lepers were healed by Jesus and only one of them returned to give God thanks. There will always be somebody that will return to give thanks unto the LORD. Thanksgiving is another level of faith. Jesus said to the leper who returned that his faith had made him whole.

Don't take God’s help for granted, otherwise you might fail. Always acknowledge GOD for his past deeds in your life. Thinking right is the foundation for thanksgiving, if our thinking is right, then we will give thanks to God. Thanksgiving should be a life style and not only be something that we do when everything goes right. Be a habitual thanksgiver. When you wake up from sleep, say “thank you JESUS”, when you arrive at your destination, say “thank you Jesus”. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of GOD. Never question God in your circumstances, but acknowledge Him in all your ways and always give Him thanks with a sincere heart.

A carnal minded person has the tendency to forget what the LORD has done. We have the tendency to easily forget, but the psalmist can give us an example, when he says in Psalm l03,l-4: Bless the LORD oh my soul and forget not all His benefits… There are benefits in serving the Lord, who forgives our iniquities, heals our diseases, and crowns us with loving kindness and tender mercies.

If we want to see a positive change in our life we must give thanks. In John 11,41-43 Jesus gave thanks at the tomb of Lazarus and he that was dead came back to life. No matter how bad a case may be, if you are faithful in thanksgiving there will be a turn around. Thanksgiving is a sacrifice that must be offered continually. Every altar of sacrifice is an altar where things are turn around.

In Matthew 14,l9 Jesus gave thanks and five loaves and two fishes were multiplied, there is nothing that you can thank God for, and God’s power will not move. Whenever you thank God for something, it will never remain the same. In Philippians 4,6 we read: Be anxious for nothing but in everything with prayer and supplication let your request be made known unto GOD. Nothing should deserve our anxiety, be anxious for nothing. When you have done all that you know and nothing works, just give GOD high quality thanks. Never fail to offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving unto the Lord. For every altar of sacrifice is an altar of breakthrough. Finally, let’s give God thanks. oo

Additional verses to study: Leviticus 22,29; Psalm 107; 136; 100; Colossians 4,2; Hebrew 13,15; Revelation 7,12