Over the next several episodes, I want to talk about ten ways that will help you grow spiritually, deepen your intimacy with Jesus, and practically live the authentic Christian life.
While Thanksgiving is a tremendous holiday in America, it is supposed to be the everyday lifestyle of the believer.
In this episode, we explore the concept of thanksgiving biblically and discuss how we can abound in thanksgiving at all times and why the action of thanksgiving is so important to our spiritual growth.
Listen to or download the episode
Abound in Thanksgiving
In his book, Why Do You Not Believe, Andrew Murray wrote a chapter on the intersection of faith and thanksgiving. This statement stood out to me (read the whole chapter here):
Faith and thanksgiving belong to one another and keep one another. The more I believe, the more I shall thank; the more I thank, the more I shall believe. The lack of faith is the reason that men give thanks so little; the neglect of thanksgiving binders and weakens faith.(1)
Simply, Murray is reminding us that if you want to grow your faith and deepen your spiritual life, you must walk in thanksgiving.
Scripture is crystal clear about our lives abounding in thanksgiving:
- Colossians 3:17 – And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
- Ephesians 5:4 – … nor filthiness and foolish talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
- Ephesians 5:20 – … always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God …
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 – Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
- Everything does mean everything—the good, the bad, and ugly—this includes trials, circumstances, difficulty, persecution, sickness, etc.
- Philippians 4:6 – Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
- Colossians 2:7 – … having been firmly rooted and being built up in Him, and having been established in your faith—just as you were instructed—and abounding with thanksgiving.
Colossians 3
- Colossians 3:15 – And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body, and be thankful.
- The posture (position) of thanksgiving – it comes because we are IN Jesus
- Colossians 3:16 – Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with gratefulness in your hearts to God.
- The praise of thanksgiving – it is revealed outwardly as gratitude/praise
- Colossians 3:17 – And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
- The presence of thanksgiving – it happens in every activity, at all times, in all circumstances
Thanksgiving keeps your focus on Jesus
Thanksgiving helps keep your focus on the One to whom we are giving thanks—Jesus Christ. Hebrews 12:2 reminds us to “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith …”
What would it look like to continually be thankful, preach the Gospel to yourself, and remind yourself of God’s goodness, faithfulness, and majesty?
Listen to the series: 10 ways to grow spiritually
FOOTNOTES
(1) Andrew Murray, Why Do You Not Believe?: Words of Instruction and Encouragement for All Who Are Seeking the Lord (Chicago; New York; Toronto: Fleming H. Revell, 1894), 96.
Photo Credit: Lamppost Collective
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Question: How are you intentionally living a life of thanksgiving? How is it deepening your spiritual life?
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About NRJohnson
NRJohnson (Nathan Johnson) is the host of the Deeper Christian Podcast and has an overwhelming passion for Jesus, the Gospel, and Studying God’s Word. He is a writer, teacher, and communicator who helps other believers understand and apply the Bible as they grow and mature in their faith—desiring that they gain greater intimacy with Christ, experience the victorious Christian life, and transform the world through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Read more about him here.
About the Deeper Christian Podcast
Many Christians feel frustrated because they don’t grow spiritually. The Deeper Christian Podcast helps equip Christians to understand the Word of God and cultivate a passionate love for Jesus that turns the world upside down.
Whether you want to learn how to study God’s Word, grow in your faith, cultivate a powerful and effective prayer life, share the Gospel boldly, deepen your intimacy with Jesus, live victoriously, or transform the world through the indwelling life of the Holy Spirit, the Deeper Christian Podcast with NRJohnson (Nathan Johnson) will encourage and equip you to grow spiritually and live a Christ-centered life.
