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Let Us Always Come Before Him with Thanksgiving

Galatians 1:11-12 Psalm 50:23 Ephesians 5:19 Hebrews 13:15 James 1:17 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Philippians 2:9-10 Psalm 100

BY REV. RICK REID

Every year on Thanksgiving many families have a “thankful” tradition. They go around the dinner table and everyone in the family states what they are most thankful for. The Apostle Paul also had a tradition that he shared all year round. His tradition was to continually remind us in his letters of to whom, when, and how our thanks were to be directed.

Paul was uniquely qualified to minister and to provide guidance in all things pertaining to God. Not only was he highly educated and very familiar with Old Testament, (having being taught by the Hebrew Scholar, Gamaliel); but he also received his training and mentorship directly from Christ. This is what he wrote in his letter to the Galatians: “But I make known to you, brethren that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ”. (Galatians 1:11-12)

Paul knew that God wanted us to show our gratitude, because it was pleasing to God. So Paul passed along his advice and the knowledge given to him directly by Christ and the Holy Spirit. For as the Psalmist wrote in Psalm 50:23: Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.”In his Epistle to Ephesians, we hear Paul telling them to: be filled with the Spirit, 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, submitting to one another in the fear of God. (Ephesians 5:19)

St. Paul stated that our thanksgiving should be continual “Giving thanks always” There shouldn’t be a time in which we forget to give thanks. He is worthy at all times of the day. As the Psalmist writes in Psalm 113:3: From the rising of the sun to its going down The Lord’s name is to be praised. Again in Psalm 34:1 “I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” So if He’s worthy at all times then we should thank and praise Him at all times. We must always be giving God our appreciation for His never ending compassion, love, kindness, and blessings. His mercies endure forever, so let us be grateful to God and give Him thanks.

The writer of Hebrews puts it this way: By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. (Hebrews 13:15)

Our Thanksgiving should be: “for all things” As Paul told the Thessalonians: In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (1Thessalonians. 5:18)As Jesus’ brother James told us: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. (James 1:17)

Our Thanksgiving should be Consecrated or Set Apart - “unto God the Father” Our thanks should not be generic; we must be able to acknowledge God our Father. We must thank God and God alone, for we not only offer thanks, but we owe our thanks to Him. If we were to think about all the blessings that we have received, all of the moments of deliverance, all of the healing that has taken place, then we would be able to say with certainty, that Only God could do such things

Our Thanksgiving should be in Christ - “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” Because God, the Father has ordained that all things exist in Christ, whereby we live, move and have our being, then our thanksgiving should also exist in Christ. It is His will for our lives. As Paul told the Thessalonians:” In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

We know that if we speak it in His name then the Father will hear us. All things done in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! Paul wrote to the Philippians: “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth”. (Philippians 2:9-10)

Always remember that true praise and worship focuses upon God and not upon the worshiper. This is best stated in the wise words of the psalmist: Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations. (Psalm 100).

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen..

Bishop Rick Aaron Reid, Doctor of Christian Counseling. Master of Arts in Divinity, Bachelor of Arts in Theology, Independent Anglican Church. Suffragan Bishop and Rector, St. Andrew’s Anglican Church Newton, N. C.

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2021-11-27T08:00:00.0000000Z

2021-11-27T08:00:00.0000000Z

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