Protocols, Postures and Power of ThanksgivingSample

RETURNING TO SAY THANK YOU

Praise is celebrating what God can do; worship is celebrating who He is; thanksgiving is your intentional response to what He has already done. It is the attitude of a heart that acknowledges mercy received, aid given, and danger escaped. In Luke 17, there were ten cured men but one who came back to thank — and he was healed. God wants you to "return." Do not take things for granted. Thank Him for what He has done, what He is not giving you, and what He is not giving you from.

You notice remembrances of this even in the modern world. Companies issue bonuses to give thanks to faithful employees. Birthdays, anniversaries, and milestones are the natural times to utter, "Thank you." Husbands, acknowledge the woman who has held on with you; wives, acknowledge your husband as well, and his sacrifices. But God is not looking for thanksgiving in passing; He is looking for it to be sewn into your lifestyle. A grateful believer does not tarry for the spectacular; he senses the unseen. Breath in your lungs, timely word, open door — or one that was not — are all causes to go back to God with thanks.

Condition your inner eyes to see God's fingerprints on daily life. If you can think well enough, you will be able to thank well; when you rush thoughtlessly, ingratitude is multiplied. I would like you to develop the habits that cause you to "return": have a gratitude list, bear witness on time when God answers prayer, and turn every provision into praise. The more you recall, the more you will come back; the more you come back, the more you will be filled. Have your life testify, "I will enter into His gates with thanksgiving."

THOUGHT TO PONDER: Where do I need to “return” and thank God or a person He used recently? What daily habit will help me recognise and verbalise God’s mercies without delay?

PRAYER: Lord, give me a discerning and grateful heart. Teach me to notice Your mercies and to return quickly to give You glory, making thanksgiving my daily lifestyle, in Jesus’ name. Amen.