The Miracles Of ThanksgivingExemplo

Thank You Is Our Password

Thanksgiving can mean so many things to different people.  However, when I think about Thanksgiving,  the holiday of “Thanksgiving” celebrated in America is foremost associated with it. I love to celebrate that joyous holiday when family and friends become a priority, our homes are filled with the aroma of turkey, apple pie and cinnamon, and the fall colors create a kaleidoscope.  Our dinner tables overflow with food, drinks, and dessert, it is one of the most celebrated holidays in America.  But, sometimes that can be the only day we feel thankful, and when the day is over, everyone goes on to their regular busy schedules until the next year when it comes to mind again.  Do you know in the kingdom of God, Thanksgiving is a way of life? Thanksgiving is one of the main attributes in the life of the believer of Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches.  If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 NIV).  Because we are connected to Jesus,  the very life He lived flows to us through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit helps us live the life of Jesus here on Earth. Jesus’s life was marked by Thanksgiving, and because of this trait, many miracles manifested all around him. 

In the early stages of my walk with the Lord, I didn’t understand prayer, or how to begin my conversations with the Lord, my devotion times looked more like I was going grocery shopping.   I would write out all my needs and mind you there was hardly any room on my list for other people’s needs.  I would offer a short prayer of blessing, and I would read a few passages from the Bible, and then I would dive right into my prayer list, ask all my needs in Jesus name and be on my way to start my day.  I was very immature and didn’t understand I was actually in a relationship that required communication between God and I and that I needed to be grateful for the many blessings God had bestowed on my life.  I am sure many of you can identify with me in your earlier years with the Lord also.   As the years have gone by and with lots of teachings, and studying the life of Jesus, I have learned the language of the kingdom, and, even though I still miss it sometimes, for the most part, I think I’ve learned a great deal. 

In Psalm one hundred, and, I particularly love the Message version, it says, “Enter with the password: “Thank you!” Make yourselves at home, talking praise. Thank him. Worship him.” (Psalm 100:4, MSG).  I wish I had known this in my earlier years, but I’m grateful for the saying, “Better late than never.”  Thank You is our password to God’s presence, and it is the key that unlocks the door to miracles.  The Apostle Paul also teaches us thanksgiving is not conditional or optional; it is a must. He says, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV.

“The Bible tells us that whenever we come before God, whatever our purpose or prayer request, we are always to come with a thankful heart.” -  David Jeremiah