The Power of a Thankful Heart

Philippians 4:6-7

Phil 4:6-76 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 comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus

• Thanksgiving Is Vital for Powerful Praying– Thankfulness recognizes God’s provision:

“with thanksgiving”– Thankfulness reminds us of answered prayer

• Thanksgiving Lifts Our Thoughts Heavenward– We cannot complain and be thankful at the

same time– We cannot be grumpy and grateful

simultaneously

• Thankful People Demonstrate God’s Power Daily

Thanksgiving Increases Faith• Remembering God’s blessings makes us positive

people– Paul tells us to pray continually (1st Thess. 5:17)– He adds that we are to be thankful in all circumstances (1st

Thess. 5:18)• Thanksgiving should be a vital part of every prayer• “We must join thanksgiving with prayers and

supplications”• Thanksgiving for past answers to prayer builds faith

for those to come– Giving thanks for what we’ve received increases expectation

of future blessings (2nd Cor 4:15)– We should even give thanks for our trials (James 1:2-4)

• Trails can be called “food for faith”• See trials as reasons to exercise faith, causing it to grow

1 Thess 5:1717 pray without ceasing;1 Thess 5:18

18 in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus

2 Cor 4:15 15 For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.

James 1:2-4

2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials , 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Thanksgiving Improves Health

• Being thankful has great curative power

• “Giving thanks is good ethically, for it is right; it is good emotionally, for it thrills the heart”

• A cheerful heart is good medicine (Prov 17:22)– Nothing has such a direct tendency to ruin health

and waste out life as grief, anxiety, fretfulness, bad tempers, etc

– Cheerfulness flowing from a good conscience, is good medicine.

Prov 17:2222 A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones

Thanksgiving Improves Health

• Being thankful has great curative power• “Giving thanks is good ethically, for it is right; it is

good emotionally, for it thrills the heart”• A cheerful heart is good medicine (Prov 17:22)• Thanksgiving and prayer provide peace that passes

all understanding (John 14:27)– A peaceful heart sees difficulties as part of God’s design– Stress cannot stay in a thankful heart; peace overcomes

it

John 14:2727 " Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful

Thanksgiving Improves Health

• Being thankful has great curative power

• “Giving thanks is good ethically, for it is right; it is good emotionally, for it thrills the heart”

• A cheerful heart is good medicine (Prov 17:22)

• Thanksgiving and prayer provide peace that passes all understanding (John 14:27)

• Thankful people find their strength renewed even during tough times (2nd Cor 4:16)

2 Cor 4:16

16 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day

Thanksgiving Instills a Desire to Be Like Jesus

• Jesus set the example of one with a thankful heart– He gave thanks for the revelation of His Father’s will

(Matt 11:25)– He gave thanks for the provision of food (John 6:11)– He gave thanks at the first Communion (Matt. 26:27)– He gave thanks for answered prayer (John 11:41)

• Like Jesus, we should be continually thankful (1st John 2:6)

Matt 11:25At that time Jesus answered and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes

John 6:1111 Jesus then took the loaves, and having given thanks, He distributed to those who were seated; likewise also of the fish as much as they wanted

Matt 26:27 27 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you;

John 11:41 41 So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised His eyes, and said, " Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.1 John 2:66 the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.

• Thankful People Motivate Others to Evangelism

• Thankful People Bring Unity and Peace in the Church

• Thankful People Are Needed to Encourage Others

• Are You an Example of the Power of a Thankful Heart?