Good Monday morning (5-09-11),

The Lord is really talking to us about abiding in His presence. As a result we are teaching classes on Wednesday nights about the Authority of the Believer, Spirit/Soul/Body, and Staying Full of God -- all topics which reflect God’s desire that we be in unity with Him and with each other.

As we study we learn how to rightly discern the truth, how to wield the sword which is the Word of God, how to point ourselves in a direction that will take us toward becoming all that Jesus is. Our desire, both as a church and as individuals, is to learn what it looks like to seek first the Kingdom of God, to draw near to Him, to speak what we hear Him say and do what we see Him doing.

Although there are many different scriptural topics that address our resolve, our deep desire, to know God intimately, none keeps coming up like thankfulness. Psalm 100 instructs us to “enter His gates with thanksgiving”. Paul says, “always give thanks to God for everything” (Ephesians).

Not being thankful can result in dire consequences. Romans chapter 1, verses 20-32, demonstrate the downward spiral from knowing God to the severest and most extreme perversions. The steps out of grace and into sin and darkness are simple and straightforward: “They did not honor and glorify Him as God, nor did they give Him thanks.”

Bill Johnson, in his book Strengthen Yourself in the Lord, says, “Thanksgiving agrees with Heaven by acknowledging the truth that our lives are a gift from God, and that He is sovereign over all.”

I want to be in agreement with God. My life, and so much in it, is a great good gift. As I express my thanksgiving for all He has done for me I come into unity with God.

We’ve already studied in previous Bullets how being thankful keeps our eyes on God and away from any trials or troubles. Thanksgiving keeps me tuned into God. But thanksgiving doesn’t just turn me away from other things.

Thanksgiving has a transforming power that I need.

In 1Timothy 4:1-5 Paul addresses the confusion regarding food dedicated to idols. He never denies the food might be spiritually contaminated. It’s not important, and here is why: “nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.” (my emphasis)

Thanksgiving sanctifies things. Sanctification means to set something apart for God’s use, to purify it, to make it holy. Does that mean thanksgiving can sanctify my situation? Can being thankful change crisis, turmoil, difficulty, confusion, into something good?

Can my difficulty be something God uses? Now, notice I am not saying God caused the difficulty! God only brings good things. But when my flesh, when life, even when the enemy, brings something upsetting, some trial, into my path…these scriptures inform me that thanksgiving can sanctify that situation so God can use it to His glory.

Maybe that’s what it means when He says that He will bring all things to the good, or cause all things to work for the good, of those who love Him.

Bill Johnson goes on to say, “Giving thanks in the midst of an adverse situation, a difficulty intended to undermine your faith and destroy you, enables you to take hold of that situation and set it apart to God and His purposes.”

Hallelujah! Do you want to overcome? Do you want to stand victorious no matter what comes against you? Be thankful! Be grateful! Give thanks unto God in all things. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving.

Johnson continues, “Thanksgiving accomplishes the divine justice of the Kingdom, where the enemy is destroyed by the very thing he intended to use for our destruction.”

I’ll wrap up with a long quote from Bill Johnson on the subject of thanksgiving.

“The wonderful thing is that when we simply begin to give thanks, even when it seems difficult to remember one answered prayer, it isn’t too long before our focus on the good in our lives creates an opening for the Lord’s joy. And it’s the joy of the Lord that is our strength. I believe that James was talking about giving thanks when he said to count it all joy in trial, because giving thanks usually includes taking an inventory of God’s gifts in your life. Do the math! If you want to discover the ability of thankfulness to bring you strength in difficulty, you need to keep counting these things until you come to the conclusion – it’s time to rejoice!”

“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thess. 5:18

“Keep your roots deep in him and have your lives built on him. Be strong in the faith, just as you were taught, and always be thankful.” Col. 2:7

Laurie Gross