November 24, 2019
Adrian Rogers
Scripture Reference: Ephesians 5:20
In Ephesians 5:20, the Apostle Paul says, “Give thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” This command may be the hardest command in all of the Bible to obey. At the same time, obeying it may be the greatest blessing of all in your life.
Adrian Rogers puts it this way, “Every prayer ought to be mixed with thanksgiving.”
What do we do when we don’t feel thankful?
Blessings never cease. Therefore, thanksgiving should never cease. Psalm 68:19 says, “Blessed be the God, blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.” Selah means, “think about that; meditate upon that.”
God daily loads us with blessings. Today alone, God has given you a wagonload of blessings. They are endless. Think of them. Meditate upon them.
Thankfulness comes before praise. We are to be thankful always for all things—for the simple things, the obvious things, and even the sorrowful things. Yes, even sorrowful things.
They are there to correct us, to cause us to have a greater dependence on God, confirm our testimony to other people, bring us to deeper spiritual maturity and more Christ-likeness, and ultimately, it brings glory to God through us.
How do we do it? Adrian Rogers says, “In my estimation, you cannot truly give thanks to God unless you do it through Jesus. He is the dynamic. He is the power of it. If you ever doubt the love of God, look at the cross. Through the name of Jesus, Father, I give You thanks.”
True thanks should be given to the Father through Jesus. Always.
Thanksgiving isn’t just a holiday in November. It is a lifestyle, and we are called to live it. Thank God through Jesus today for the simple things, the obvious things, and even the sorrowful things in your life today, and watch how this tough commandment becomes your greatest life blessing.
