LIVE 2 GIVE THANKS

Psalm 140: 13

Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto Thy Name; the upright shall dwell in Thy presence.

WHEN WE FAIL TO GIVE THANKS, WE BECOME LIKE THE HEATHEN

I was struck by the power of the quote from Pastor Randy's Sermon on Sunday: "When we fail to give thanks, we become like the heathen." These words ring through my mind, as I think about giving thanks and the title of this week in Word from the Word.  In whose image am I created? I am created in the image of GOD, therefore, to be rightly related to GOD and dwell in His presence, I should be "like Him".  Is GOD the GOD of praise and thanksgiving? Is it His nature to give thanks? Is JESUS Christ the body and Blood of  thanksgiving and praise? YES, YES, YES! JESUS EMBODIES THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE. JESUS, the incarnate Word of GOD, lives 2 give thanks.

As I reflected on the verse from Psalms and the quote from Pastor Randy, I discovered a deeper understanding of Praise and Thanksgiving. It is not only something we "do" to glorify GOD; it is the nature of GOD shining through us and we "become" like Him, filled with praise and thanksgiving.  Thanksgiving is not only what we "do", it is who we are.  The hallmark of a Christian is the attitude of gratitude.

JESUS always gave thanks to the Father before He did anything; JESUS lived 2 give thanks to the Father.

Literally, giving thanks and praise to the Father was the whole essence of the life of JESUS and it demonstrated His love. WE SHOULD BE LIKE HIM.

WHEN WE GIVE THANKS TO GOD, WE BECOME FULLY CHRISTIAN