Recurrent Thought

        Thankfulness is an attitude that reveals fullness of life; and of all people Believers in Yahweh must express it daily and fully.

Thanksgiving is a recognition and appreciation of help that is beyond or from outside oneself. A believer in Yahweh is a person expected to naturally manifest an attitude of gratitude because they know that their being and status is as result of help from God. An attitude of thanksgiving always uplifts one’s soul. A thankful person is far happier than one who fails to express gratitude in life. Gratitude is an attitude that wraps itself to positive living. Whenever you fail to recognize good in life, you tend to have fewer instances of gratitude. Ingratitude is an attitude of people who believe their breakthrough is held and blocked by others.  However, a thankful person knows that the results they produce are beyond their own capacities. There is always the Mercy of God added to my capabilities; there is always the Spirit of God at work in them.

Word Study

• The expression “thank you” in English is simply an expression of appreciation to other persons or to God.
• The OT does not have a similar rendering because the word translated as “thanks” in the Old Testament is the Hebrew word yadah, which is often translated "thanks" or "thanksgiving." It means "to declare publicly" or "to acknowledge." It is used of the confession of human sin and also of public confession of God's character and works. Therefore, Yadah includes praise.
• However, in the NT words translated "thank you" (eucharisteo), "thankful" (eucharistos), and "thanksgiving" (eucharistia) signify a thankful attitude and a demonstration of gratitude.
• Ordinarily, this word eucharisteo is usually used towards God however, in the following three passages do we see it used for human beings.

Although the mainstay of thanks giving are verbal expressions, it also includes an acknowledgment of the benefactor through gifts and honor. Basic to giving thanks is an attitude of Joy, Gratitude and Honor to the benefactor.

Here are Four Areas in Which the Expression of Thanks is given.

1. We give Thanks to the Lord for the Things He has Done
   • Eph 5:20  always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;
   •  Php 4:6  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
     1. We give thanks because we know that the privileges that we enjoy are not accorded to all at the same time. We enjoy a good job, we have a good family, a good spouse, health, etc. these are a bestowment by God.
     2. Remember to give thanks for all things, the Good and the bad! This makes us realize that he is in charge of all history. Human story is His-story.
     3. Our Prayers must be full of gratitude: Remembering all that Jesus has done for us and in us, it is appropriate to address every prayer with thanksgiving (Phil_4:6).
2. We Give Thanks to the Lord in Recognition of What He does through others
   • 1Cor. 1:4  I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus.
   • 1Th.  2:13  For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.
     1.  Remember to give thanks for others because the Lord is the father of all: This makes one to appreciate others and removes competition.
     2.  Remember to give thanks to the Lord for what he is doing in other people’s lives: Antidote against Jealous.
3. We Give thanks to the Lord in Recognition of the Special Means of Redemption  
   • This is in recognition of the BROKEN BODY and the BLOOD OF JESUS (Mt 26: 27; 1 Cor. 11:22ff ).
   • The Eucharist Ceremony (Holy Communion) is the physical service in which we express our gratitude for the means of redemption God used.
     • Mat 26:27  And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you;
     • 1Co 11:24  and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.
     • 2Co 9:15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
     1. Remember thanksgiving for these means of redemption is not an activity enshrined only in space and time, but it is an attitude from the heart. Therefore, do it daily.
     2. Remember that we continuously give thanks to the Lord because of the Broken Body of Christ and the Bloodshed for our Sins.
     3. Remember we give thanks for the finished work of Jesus on the Cross. We give thanks for our Salvation.
     4. We give thanks for having given us Jesus. He is described as indescribable Gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15.
     5. We give thanks for making us his own! He saved us, changed us and adopted us in his own family.
4. We Give Thanks to the Lord in Recognition of the BLESSINGS we have in Christ (1Cor. 15:57, 2Cor. 2:14; 2Cor. 9:15)
   • 1Cor. 15:54  But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory.   1Cor. 15:55  "O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O  DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?" 1Cor. 15:56  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; 1Cor. 15:57  but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
   • 2Cor 2:14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.
     1. Remember we are not thankful in perfection. We are thankful despite our imperfection Recognize that the text assumes that our body is perishable and mortal.
     2. Remember that the Future is demonstrated in the present: Even though it speaks of the future, God is willing to allow death, defeat be swallowed in Victory
     3. Recognize that where there is Death, there is Victory, therefore give Him Thanks.
     4.  We give thanks to the Lord because despite the challenges he always leads us in Triumphal Procession!