God’s Side of Thanks What a wonderful time of the year it is when we gather with family and friends to consider and consume the blessings we’ve received with gratitude and thanksgiving. A day is set aside to give thanks for things we’ve been given, acknowledge where they have come from, and allow those things to be valued and utilized for the purpose for which they were gifted. At our table, after the food is blessed and we begin enjoying the delectable preparations, we like to take turns telling what we’re thankful for. While there are surely an endless number of things we’ve physically received, the things most often referred to are family, health, home, and various personal items that come to mind. When asked what we're thankful for, this is where our mind is naturally drawn to – things we have been seeing and experiencing. While it is so important to have a heart of gratitude for those things we can see and feel, there is a side of thanks that God wants to take us to where things He’s promised produce the same gratitude long before they are ever seen. It is wonderful to praise and glorify God for the list of things we can think of that have appeared in our lives. However, there is praise for God with thanksgiving that is an activation of faith, believing it is received just like anything already seen. This is actually the basis of new life in Christ, first believing for forgiveness when completely guilty, but then also taking step after step upon promises that have yet to be seen. Giving thanks for them becomes a very practical expression of faith while propelling us to the side of God where He is most pleased. When His promise makes its way into our heartfelt gratitude, it has been securely received and possessed on God’s faith side of thanks. Notes Thanks: Expressed gratitude, appreciation, value, and impression for something received Praise based upon information about and experience of Verbal affirmation of a desired possession Importance of thanks for all that is good James 1:17 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Faith – the assurance of unseen possession Hebrews 11:1 1 Now faith is a well-grounded assurance of that for which we hope, and a conviction of the reality of things which we do not see. God’s side of rewards/thanks - faith Hebrews 11:6 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Praise is an expression of gratitude for a promise received - strengthens Romans 4:20-21 20 No unbelief or distrust made him waver (doubtingly question) concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God, 21 Fully satisfied and assured that God was able and mighty to keep His word and to do what He had promised. Where there is faith, there is an accompanying voice of grateful affirmation 2 Corinthians 4:13 13 But possessing the same Spirit of faith as he who wrote, “I BELIEVED, AND THEREFORE I HAVE SPOKEN,” we also believe, and therefore we speak. Thanks enriches the working of grace for God’s glory 2 Corinthians 4:15 15 For everything is for your sakes, in order that grace, being more richly bestowed because of the thanksgivings of the increased number, may more and more promote the glory of God. On God’s unseen side – eternal over temporary 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. With thanks, the soul is secured in the peace of possession Philippians 4:6-7 6 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. In Christ is a thanks for every promise He’s confirmed 2 Corinthians 1:20 20 For all the promises of God, whatever their number, have their confirmation in Him; and for this reason through Him also our “Amen” acknowledges their truth and promotes the glory of God through our faith. Sickness Exodus 23:25 25 "So you shall serve the LORD your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you. Provision Psalms 34:10 10 The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing. Protection Isaiah 54:17 17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their righteousness is from Me," Says the LORD. Overcome on God’s side by faith 1 John 5:4 4 For every child of God overcomes the world; and the victorious principle which has overcome the world is our faith. Proclaiming the promise of God secures victory on His side with thanks Revelation 12:11 11 They defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony; for they did not love their lives but laid them down for him. Overview: Where there is value and appreciation for a gift received, there is an expression of gratitude. God desires for us to come to His side of thanks, where the reception of an unseen promise produces the same thanks as for the visible. Where there is belief, there is a voice of thanks that multiplies in others with thanksgiving for God’s glory. For every promise, there is an opportunity for overcoming in its thanks. It’s in the testimony of a received promise secured by the blood that we overcome every work of the enemy. Every step of our faith walk is in need of thanks to secure promised possessions in the heart. Prayer: Take me to Your side of thanksgiving, Father, where Your every promise produces an affirmation of gratitude from a heart of belief that it has already been secured for me by the blood of Jesus. Declarations: I am risen together with Christ into newness of life and all that Jesus blood has secured for me. Every promise is already mine, and as I respond with thanks it is taken by faith in my heart. I am freed from all anxiety and fear taking everything to God in prayer and trusting Him there with thanks. I overcome in every situation by power in the blood of Jesus and its testimony of gratitude in my mouth.