Worship in Spirit and Truth.2

Thanksgiving - The Thankful Heart

Summary: This theme explores the transformative power of a thankful heart and how gratitude shapes our perspective and actions in daily life.

1. Rejoice and Reflect

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18

18 “Rejoice always,

17 pray without ceasing,

18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

During a particularly hectic week, a friend of mine decided to create a 'joy jar.' Every time something made her smile, she would write it down and put it in the jar. By the end of the week, she realized how many blessings she had experienced amidst the chaos. It’s a beautiful reminder that, like Paul said, we can rejoice always by focusing on the good things around us!

Recently, I watched a toddler playing in a puddle, splashing water everywhere and laughing with pure joy. It dawned on me that this little one was living out 'rejoice always' in a way adults often forget. Like that child, we can find moments throughout our day to rejoice, pray, and express gratitude for life's simple joys.

2. Praise and Presence

Psalm 100:1–5 “Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! 2 Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. 3 Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. 4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. 5 For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.”

The “thankfulness dinner”. In unity (all you lands) we are thankful for the gift of grace.

3. Peace Through Petition

Philippians 4:6–7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

The other day, my son asked me why we say grace before meals. I explained that it’s not just a ritual, but a moment to rejoice, pray, and give thanks. Then he suggested we should also have a 'dessert grace.' It made me chuckle, but he had a point; we should celebrate the sweet moments in life just as much!

Grace before with prayer and supplication. Thanksgiving after and peace will guard your hearts and minds.

4. Unity in Thanksgiving

Colossians 3:15–17 “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

Ephesians 4:3 “endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

Unity around a common purpose, doctrine, vision centers on “we”. Division is the opposite it centers on “I”.

Proverbs 29:18 “18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law.”

Pr 29:18 KJV Where there is no vision, the people perish:

But he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

Vision = redemptive revelation

Perish = run wild

5. Gratitude and Grace

Luke 17:11–19 “Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12 Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. 13 And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 14 So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. 15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. 17 So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? 18 Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” 19 And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.””

Imagine a group of friends who tirelessly supported a close companion through a tough illness. After months of care and encouragement, their friend finally recovers. But as they celebrate together, the one healed forgets the journey they took together. This mirrors the healed lepers in the Bible—10 received healing, but only one returned to glorify God. It prompts us to reflect: Are we quick to ask for help but slow to show gratitude for the blessings we receive?

The Magic words, please and thank you

Think of how many times we say 'thank you' after receiving a favor: a timely help, a thoughtful gift, or a healing touch. However, it's easy to move on quickly without pausing to truly acknowledge those blessings. The story of the ten lepers in Luke 17 teaches us about the importance of gratitude. Jesus healed them all, but only one returned to glorify God. Are we amongst the nine who forgot, or the one who recognizes and honors the source of our blessings?

Being thankful glorifies God. Are we the grateful one or the nine who went out and forgot?

A pastor once shared how after a successful church event, he received numerous compliments from attendees. However, few reached out to him later to share how the event impacted their faith. He realized that while the event brought joy, what mattered most was acknowledging God’s role in it. Just as the healed leper glorified God, we, too, should be intentional about expressing our gratitude for all that God provides in our lives.

Habakkuk 3:17–19 “17 Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls— 18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 19 The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills. To the Chief Musician. With my stringed instruments.”

In the book of Habakkuk, the prophet finds himself in a difficult situation with his people suffering and violence raging around him. Yet, he profoundly declares in Habakkuk 3:17-18, 'Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines...yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.' This illustrates that true faith persists even in hardship and aligns with our call to praise God despite our circumstances.