Thanking God with All of You

INTRO

The most powerful form of gratitude is enjoyment.

When we actually USE and ENJOY the gifts that are given to us, we are expressing the most elevated form of gratitude.

BODY

Psalm 138:1 — I give thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise.

Hebrew word for “heart” —

Heart, to the Hebrew, referred to the entirety of one’s being. ALL OF YOU.

In other words, the psalmist is saying, “I give thanks, O LORD, with EVERYTHING THAT I AM.”

Now, gratitude seems like something that can only be expressed through your words.

But we can, certainly, thank the Lord with more than just our words and our songs...

5 Ways to Thank the Lord

Relationally

John 13:34 - Love one another as I have loved you.

AS I HAVE LOVED YOU. An overarching theme in Scripture is the presence of God. God shows us His love by letting us know He is there. How much more powerful is it to know that we are PRESENT with our families. Our spouses. Our kids.

When we are present with our families, friends,

We thank the Lord by being present for one another.

Financially

Isaiah 45:3 -

High School Mr. Spencer “offering plate”. We give to God what rightfully belongs to Him.

We thank the Lord by giving to Him.

Mentally

Romans 12:1-2 - God is in the mind renewal business.

Life with Jesus also has the power to change the way we see everything.

Think about how you think. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Reframing. Rethinking how you think about the world, consequences, and even yourself.

We thank the Lord by thinking like Him.

Physically

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 -

How do you give “glory to God” with your body?

By living abundantly through a balanced diet, proper exercise, and genuine joy.

Don’t workout and eat differently because you hate your body. Do it because you want to love your body as God does.

You choosing to CARE for your body is NOT a waste of time and money. You choosing to care for your body is giving thanks to God.

We thank the Lord by caring for

Evangelistically

2 Corinthians 5:20 - We are called to be a part of God’s reconciliation to to the world.

In a divided world, God works through us. It is through YOU that God wants to reach the world.

How much more can we give thanks to God when we actually DO what He tells us to do.

We thank the Lord by reconciling others to Him.

CONCLUSION

God is present with us

God gives to us.

God has thoughts higher than the heavens

God sacrificed His human body

God reconciled Himself to us.

The most powerful form of gratitude is enjoyment.