Verse of the Day 11/24

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

1 Thessalonians 5:18 Amplified Bible (AMP) ¹⁸Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will].

 

The Amplified Bible translation of this verse gives us an important reminder of the thanks that we are to give to God, on Thanksgiving or any day.  No matter what the circumstances we have reason to give thanks to God.  We can look back on what He has done in our lives in the past, what He's doing in the present, and what He is going to do according to His promises in the future.  This type of thanks is rooted in faith.

 

Yesterday's verse was from Luke 17 where one leper came back to thank Jesus for healing him, for restoring him.  Today's devotional from Zondervan publishing was on the same verses, here is what was written for today:

 

"I look back to the text. That is what it says: "Thy faith has saved thee." And the leper's faith was a faith that said thank you. Is that it? Jesus counts thanksgiving as integral in a faith that saves. We only enter into the full life if our faith gives thanks. Because how else do we accept His free gift of salvation if not with thanksgiving? Thanksgiving is the evidence of our acceptance of whatever He gives. Thanksgiving is the manifestation of our Yes! to His grace. Thanksgiving is inherent to a true salvation experience; thanksgiving is necessary to live the well, whole, fullest life."  -One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are, by Ann Voskamp

 

Take some time to think of this verse and this line "Thanksgiving is the evidence of our acceptance of whatever He gives."  Think of all of the Bible characters from Job, to David, to Paul.  Why do we still have their words in our Bibles and in our hearts?  Because they had the faith to give thanks to God in their circumstances.  They were faithful because they knew that He is faithful.

 

Give thanks with a grateful heart,

Give thanks unto the Holy One

Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son.

 

Give thanks!

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

1 Thessalonians 5:16-22  The Message (MSG)

 ^16-18Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.

 ^19-22Don't suppress the Spirit, and don't stifle those who have a word from the Master. On the other hand, don't be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what's good. Throw out anything tainted with evil.