Tuesday, November 22, 2011
The Secret Power of Thanksgiving by Todd Pierce
If I could lay hands on and pray a prayer that would impart one quality into every Christian, it would be this: " Father, give this child of yours a heart of thanksgiving".
Last week, we had some family over for Sunday dinner and I made an observation. My youngest niece, who is not yet a year old, was continually being reminded to say "thank you." She doesn't even talk yet, but for certain, she is learning that when someone gives you something, you should say "thank you." Although it is good manners, it is not the only kind of thankfulness we should experience in the Kingdom. As a child of God, being thankful is a state of existence, not a response to getting what you want. Remember Jesus gave thanks the night He was betrayed and would be so grieved He sweat blood. Paul praised and sang when he was in prison for doing the right thing. Jesus gave thanks when He needed enough food to feed 5,000 men and He only had enough for a few. Paul says that even when you have a reason to be anxious, let your mouth say "Thank you, Father" as you offer your prayers. It sounds ridiculous if you are just trying to be a thankful person when things are bad or one who focuses on the good. But when you understand the promises of our Father and His commitment to His kids, you habitually say "Thanks". You are thankful for who He is, not only for what He has done. When we give thanks, we are in agreement with our Father. When we grumble and complain, we are in agreement with the Devil. Sounds pretty serious, huh? I have set an alarm on my phone to vibrate every hour to help remind me to give thanks. Happy Thanksgiving! Check out these scriptures: II Corinthians 9, Ephesians 5:20, Philippians 4, John 6, Acts 16, Colossians 4:2
In service of the King, Todd Pierce www.ridinghighministries.org
If I could lay hands on and pray a prayer that would impart one quality into every Christian, it would be this: " Father, give this child of yours a heart of thanksgiving".
Last week, we had some family over for Sunday dinner and I made an observation. My youngest niece, who is not yet a year old, was continually being reminded to say "thank you." She doesn't even talk yet, but for certain, she is learning that when someone gives you something, you should say "thank you." Although it is good manners, it is not the only kind of thankfulness we should experience in the Kingdom. As a child of God, being thankful is a state of existence, not a response to getting what you want. Remember Jesus gave thanks the night He was betrayed and would be so grieved He sweat blood. Paul praised and sang when he was in prison for doing the right thing. Jesus gave thanks when He needed enough food to feed 5,000 men and He only had enough for a few. Paul says that even when you have a reason to be anxious, let your mouth say "Thank you, Father" as you offer your prayers. It sounds ridiculous if you are just trying to be a thankful person when things are bad or one who focuses on the good. But when you understand the promises of our Father and His commitment to His kids, you habitually say "Thanks". You are thankful for who He is, not only for what He has done. When we give thanks, we are in agreement with our Father. When we grumble and complain, we are in agreement with the Devil. Sounds pretty serious, huh? I have set an alarm on my phone to vibrate every hour to help remind me to give thanks. Happy Thanksgiving! Check out these scriptures: II Corinthians 9, Ephesians 5:20, Philippians 4, John 6, Acts 16, Colossians 4:2
In service of the King, Todd Pierce www.ridinghighministries.org
Labels: anxious, grieved, grumble, response, Thanksgiving, want
