Bible Reading: 2 Chro.22; 1 Thes 5:15-28.
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV)
Thanksgiving open doors to future blessings as it is an act of gratitude. Thus, Psalm 100:4 (KJV) says: “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.” So when you show appreciation for what has been given to you, doors will be opened to you for greater blessings. In Luke 17:12-19; ten lepers came to Jesus for mercy and he asked them to go and show themselves to the priest to confirm their healing. As they were going, they noticed they were healed and one of them went back to Jesus to give instant thanksgiving for this miracle. The other nine were probably more anxious to get clearance from the priest that they did not bother to go back to appreciate Jesus who healed them. The implication of this is that the one who went back was made whole such that other challenges of his life were removed! But the nine lost this glorious opportunity. You will not lose your opportunity of full blessing in Jesus name. Every reproach of your life is removed this moment in Jesus name.
As with the remaining nine lepers, sometimes the thanksgiving is delayed such that it becomes less potent when you come back to give it. This is why 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV) says: “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” The more you delay, the higher the chance that you will forget the need to give thanks and also lose the chance of getting more blessing. It is therefore imperative that you try as much as possible to show appreciation immediately you receive a blessing whether physical, emotional or spiritual.
You should also see thanksgiving as a honour to God. When you show appreciation, you are not only thanking the giver of the gift but also the ultimate giver; God Almighty because there is nothing that anyone has that was not given to him/her from above. This is why your appreciation should also be godly.
This is why we should give thanks always to God. We owe every second, minute , hour day of our lives to him. Imagine if the air should cease for five minutes, how many would be left on earth. If we imagine how much people pay for medical care to ensure a malfunctioning part of their body begins to function well, we will remain thankful every moment.
Action Point: Please choose at least thirty minutes of your time today and give thanks to God for his grace upon your life for the functioning of your body! And ensure you do this regularly afterwards even if for a shorter time.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero