What does it mean to be thankful? How does that differ from giving thanks?

I have pondered the difference over the Thanksgiving holiday. See if you agree with my conclusions.

Giving thanks is about things, blessings, gifts, people, circumstances; all things that can change.

Being thankful is an attitude not depending on anything that can change.

In the 10^th century B.C. the psalmist wrote in Psalms 100:³Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

⁴Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

⁵For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

You and I can have this attitude of gratitude because:

The LORD is God

The LORD has made us

The LORD is good

The LORD’s mercy is everlasting

The LORD’s truth endures to all generations

You and I are His people

The sheep of His pasture

What does this reality mean to you?

How should this reality play out in your daily living?

In the 1^st century A.D. Paul wrote to the church at Colosse in Colossians 3:¹²Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

¹³Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

¹⁴And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

¹⁵And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

You and I can have this attitude of gratitude because:

You and I are elected by God

You and I are holy

You and I are beloved by God

You and I are forgiven by Jesus Christ

You and I are called to the peace of God

What does this reality mean to you?

How should this reality play out in your daily living?

Our focus = Hebrews 12:¹Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Our challenge = Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, has uniquely designed and created only one you, has a good plan for your life, runs with you and will accomplish His purposes for you and through  you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti