A HEART OF THANKSGIVING

As we approach the Thanksgiving Holiday it is an appropriate time to stop and reflect on the many things; big and small; that the Lord has done for us this year.  I Thessalonians 5:18 tells us to give thanks in all circumstances.  Not “for” all circumstances but “in” all circumstances.  This year has probably included some personal challenges for you.  Some of those challenges were large and you may be dealing with them today.  I have found that God is faithful and there is nothing He can’t do to turn bad circumstances into something redemptive.  The catalyst for Him to act on our behalf is having a heart of thanksgiving.  The problems we face are like gates that are shut.  The solution to those problems comes when the gates are opened.  It is through thanksgiving that gates are opened in the realm of the Spirit.  (Psalm 100:4-5)

I have found that God is a God of multiplication and abundance.  This is demonstrated in the story of the five loaves and two fish that Jesus used to feed the multitude.  (Luke 9:12-17)  There were two dynamics in play that Jesus performed before multiplication happened.  Thanks  was given by Jesus for the fish and loaves before they were given away.  When Jesus gave thanks to the Father for what would never be enough, the Father blessed and multiplied it to become more than enough. 

Imagine if the disciples put their own needs above the needs of the people they served.  If they had eaten the five loaves and two fish themselves the blessing of provision would have ended with them and the people would have done without.   Because they were obedient and gave the food to Jesus, He gave thanks for it, blessed it, and then it multiplied in the hands of the disciples who distributed it among the people.  Instead of having only five loaves and two fish to share among the twelve, the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls left over after the people had eaten enough.  There was a basketful for each disciple! 

Isaiah 55:1-2 reads, “Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat.  Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.  Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy?  Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance.”   Today’s culture is largely geared toward being achievers and accomplishers.  When many believers are asked, “Why do you want to hear God’s voice”? They respond by saying, “I just want to receive the prophetic purpose of my life”.  Isaiah 55:3 continues by saying,  “Incline your ear, and come to Me.  Hear, and your soul shall live”.  In this verse is revealed the reason that God wants us to hear His voice.  He wants you to hear so that you might draw nearer to Him and that you might share in His life.  Because we live in a fallen world, many of us have been damaged emotionally at some point in our lives.  These attacks can cause us to walk with a limp so-to-speak.  We are in need of healing.  Hearing the voice of God brings wholeness and soundness into our souls.  Everything that is dying is made alive. 

God wants to bless us and He wants to give us abundance.  The purpose of this is found in Isaiah 55:5- “Surely you shall call a nation you do not know, and nations who do not know you shall run to you, because of the Lord your God, and the Holy One of Israel; for He has glorified you.”  We are blessed to be a blessing.   This is why giving thanks is so important.  It is the catalyst that opens the gates and windows of heaven which speaks of multiplication and abundance.