Exhortations for our hearts:
- Rejoice Evermore v16
- A constant joyfulness
- Even when life is hard, we can rejoice in the character of God.
- All our blessings come from God.
- Ephesians 1:3
- Pray Without Ceasing v17
- Prayer is dependence on God.
- In Everything Give Thanks v18
- God's will is always that we be thankful.
Believers should be characterized by thankfulness.
- Unbelievers are not.
- Luke 17:11–17; Romans 1:21; 2 Timothy 3:2
- People should see our thankfulness.
- Recognizing that everything we have comes from God should make us thank Him for them.
- Ephesians 5:3–4
- Ephesians 5:18–20
- The key being thankful is always being dependent on God.
Why should we be thankful in every circumstance?
- Being thankful reminds us that we are in the continual presence of God.
- Being grateful motivates to living for God in everything.
- Instead of thinking about our wants, we can think of how it can glorify God and look for His purposes.
- Being thankful helps us trust God when things aren't going our way.
- We should trust God, not our circumstances.
- We, like Paul, can be content in every circumstance.
- Being thankful in every circumstance gives our witness greater impact.
Hindrances to a life of thanksgiving:
- Not being saved
- Thankfulness is reliant upon God's power.
- Doubt God/lack faith
- Lack of God thankfulness is symptomatic of not trusting God's will.
- Selfishness
- Do we want God's will or our pleasure?
- Impatience
- God's timing is always perfect.
Tags: thankfulness
