To be thankful is to be productive. It seems that God has never added anything to me, until I got really thankful for what I already had. I will never forget when we hardly had any groceries; it was during our first year in the full-time ministry. Money was scarce and I was starting to grumble about the situation. My wife rebuked me, pointing her finger at me, saying, “Dave, this isn’t like you. We are going to rejoice in the Lord. We are going to be thankful for the crackers we do have.”
Ephesians 5:20
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
So, we began to thank the Lord right there in our kitchen. It wasn’t fifteen minutes later, and a knock came on the door. I answered it and there was a lady with a huge bag of groceries. She said, “I just felt led to bring these to you.”
There were steaks, vegetables, bread, and even strawberries in that bag! I have never yet seen the day when I’ve gotten down to just a can of beans, because I’ve learned the secret of being thankful for what I have! And God always adds more.
The fish and loaves didn’t multiply for Jesus until He gave thanks for the few He had.
To Be Thankful is Healthy
Several years ago on Thanksgiving, I preached the message, The Miracle of Thanksgiving. There was a lady in the congregation whom doctors had diagnosed as having cancer. They gave her no hope to live.
She came to that service on Thanksgiving, gloomy and depressed. But after my message she went home, knelt down in her room, and thanked God for all the blessings He had given her. She changed her attitude from depression to thankfulness. It was her choice. When she went back to the doctor, it was confirmed that there was no cancer left in her body. Thankfulness!
1 Thessalonians 5:18
In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.Psalm 100:4
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
Prayer: Father I come to you today with a heart of gratitude I am so thankful for all that you are as well as all that you do! I taste and see that you are good! I pray that my life will create an atmosphere that welcomes your presence with me all day long! Amen.
Psa 75:1 Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare.
I needed this today, I forgot for a minute to be grateful
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS WORD!!! After reading this, I have realized that God has not changed the current situation because my focus has been turned to the situation rather than staying on GOD and HIS GOODNESS!! I am so grateful to God for ALL He has done and what He is doing currently to lead me to my completeness!
Thank you LORD!!!
Dave,
You are absolutly right. I start every prayer or discourse of God with giving thanks. He has saved my life so many times and I believe it’s because I trust him unconditionally and give thanks in every circumstance because I have learned he rewards the true thankful believer.
May God bless you and your ministry.
Lee Beam
Thanks a lot for this word. Very inspirational.
Thank you. I needed this reminder
That’s Powerful
I should give thanks no matter what the situation is, For God knows how he leadeth me
Each day yielded to Him – He amazes me at what He will do in us and through us. So grateful for what He has done in my life. If not for the cross of Christ where would we be. Being yielded and still and He does the rest.
What a mighty God we serve. Let’s adore him and give thanks always no matter the situation
Dave,
Thanks so much for the reminder! Have a blessed Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving Pastor Dave & Mary. My love & Best Wishes to you and God Bless.
You are always spot on Bishop Dave. We ALL always have at least something we can be thankful for. Like a great man once told me…”your attitude of gratitude determines your altitude”. I am thankful for Godly leaders like you and your lovely wife. Happy Thanksgiving!
I use every sunrise and every sunset to remind me to tell Him thanks.
Thank you so much for this great encouragement. Am thankful that I know Jesus as my Savior, that am alive and not lost in worldly pleasures. Am grateful for he knows me by name. I will give him thanks no matter what life offers. Amen
Pastor Dave,
A wonderful and beautiful reminder of Thankfulness! Praise God! Bless you and your family this week!