Be Ye Thankfull

By Elden Daniel

Why is it important to be thankful? Being thankful is a response to having received a benefit. When we are thankful, we are thankful for something, about something, or because of something. We can describe what we are thankful for, about, or because.

Being thankful is both an act and an attitude. The act of thanking makes both the giver o

• Language: English
• Publisher: Elden Daniel
• Release date: Jun 30, 2021
• ISBN: 9781087972589

Elden Daniel

...the unsearchable riches of Christ (Ephesians 3:8 KJV). ...the endless treasures available to them in Christ (Ephesians 3:8 NLT). ...the boundless riches of Christ (Ephesians 3:8 NIV).

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Be Ye Thankfull

Be Ye Thankfull

Be Ye Thankfull

Elden Daniel

Elden Daniel

Copyright © 2021 by Elden Daniel

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

First Printing, 2021

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

Contents

Introduction

1 Without Excuse

2 With Thankfulness

3 More Thanks

Epilogue

References

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Other Books by Dr. Daniel

Introduction

Clearly, the topic of this book is thankfulness. I am enticed into exploring the importance God places on being thankful. Thankfulness is a reflection of a heart attitude and an acknowledgment of God and His provisions for us.

Chapter One explores features of creation for which I am thankful. I purposely sought to minimize citing Scripture as I discussed each feature of creation. The focus was on recognizing God’s Divine Nature when observing His creation. In Romans one the Scripture states that the Lord’s Divine Nature is clearly seen.

Chapter Two explores categories from Scripture for which I am thankful. You will find many Scripture verses quoted in each category followed by a brief comment.

Chapter Three is a series of single Scripture verses for which I am thankful followed by a brief comment.

I am fully aware that the features of creation that I have selected and the Scriptures that I have quoted are only a portion of what could be selected. That is okay because I want to invite you to reflect on the Scriptures I have included plus my comments. Then you can add additional Scriptures that speak to you and meditate on additional comments from your perspective.

Some of you may want to use this book as a daily devotional in which you read just a few pages each day. I can understand how this could be an appeal and a choice. Others may want to just read through it from start to finish. Parts of the book might be helpful as a starting point for a topical study. However, you choose to approach reading this book, I trust it will bless you like it has blessed me in writing it.

Some writers very effectively insert phrases from Scripture to support their narrative. I have done this a few times. Other writers will list references in parentheses to support their narrative assuming the diligent reader will pause and look up the references. I have chosen to quote the entire Scripture references. My reasoning has been based upon the truth that the Holy Spirit indwelling the reader will apply the Word of God in the personal life of the reader in an appropriate manner that only the Holy Spirit knows.

Every believer is on a personal individual journey in which the Holy Spirit is renewing their mind and transforming them into the image of Christ. My personal experience has been and this may true for you as well, that sometimes, usually during a time of solitude and quiet, the Scriptural concepts, principles, or benefits move from my head to my heart. It is not unusual for the move from head to heart also generates a few tears of thankfulness as it passes.

1

Without Excuse

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened (Romans 1: 21 KJV).

What is this all about? Let’s get some background by looking at the preceding verse.

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse (Romans 1:20 KJV).

Essentially, the they in verse 21 are people who despite what is clearly seen have chosen to deny God as revealed in creation and have denied God as Creator. This section of Scripture continues to outline the dire impact on their behavior because of this denial for which they are without excuse.

However, let’s go back to verse 20. I find it interesting that at the beginning of an explanation of the effects of denying God as Creator and failure to glorify Him as God, the very first thing that is mentioned is neither were thankful.

I draw this simple conclusion: being thankful is very important to God and failing to be thankful for God’s creation is not good.

Now let’s take a look at the story of the ten lepers.

Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, Jesus, Master, have pity on us! When he saw them, he said, Go, show yourselves to the priests. And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner? Then he said to him, Rise and go; your faith has made you well. (Luke 17:11-19).

There is no need for further comment on this story. Again, I draw this simple conclusion: being thankful is very important to God. The healed leper was commended for being thankful. The other nine who did not return were inquired about, "where are the nine"?

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people (2 Timothy 3: 1-5).

Wow! What a list of sinful behavior! Notice that included in the list is being unthankful. Again, I conclude that being thankful is important.

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked (Luke 6:35).

Clearly in this passage, Jesus is giving instruction on how to respond to enemies and He is also revealing that the Highest is kind but notice to whom He is kind. I really want to focus on the fact that the unthankful and the evil are linked in this verse. When I think of using the word evil about a person or an event, it is serious because to be labeled evil the person or event is really bad. However, notice that the unthankful people are also identified. My conclusion once again is that being thankful is important.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Colossians 3: 17).

always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:20).

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever (Psalms 107:1).

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful (Colossians 4:2).

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful (Colossians 3: 15).

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that openly profess his name (Hebrews 13:15).

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name (Psalms 100:4).

In these verses, we have commands to give thanks. If we are commanded to be thankful, then giving thanks must be important.

Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish (John 6:11).

Then some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks (John 6:23).

Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it (Mark 14: 23).

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them (Luke 24:30).

Here we have examples of the Lord Jesus giving thanks. If He is giving thanks, then giving thanks must be important.

It appears that the issue of giving thanks or being thankful revolves around an exchange or transaction between two or more parties. Assuming this observation let's look in Scripture at some exchanges or transactions that don't appear to require an expression of thanks.

Suppose