FAITH CAPSULE: Giving thanks to God is not just thinking thanks before God.

Daniel 6:1-10, Luke 17:11-19

A mindful thanksgiving is not the same as mouthful thanksgiving before God.
Giving thanks to God in the right way counts before God.
Doing right in the wrong way provokes wrong in answer.
God awaits thanks before Him.
Giving thanks to God is not just thinking thanks before God.
God owes no one, but all owes God.
Giving thanks to God will draw His attention.
God, in the doing of His goodness, awaits a return to receive thanks.It is a way of life returning to God in appreciation for His doing.
Thanksgiving to God should not be limited to uttering words but giving thanks for having a life that pleases God.
Thanksgiving, God is worshiping God.
Worshipping God is seeking God diligently.
Giving thanks to God or praising God must be with understanding.
Psalm 47:7 admonishes all, “For God is the King of all the earth; Sing praises with understanding.”
With thanksgiving and praising God, worship God with the understanding that is reasonable and acceptable before God.
The Bible records how thanksgiving is the way to move forward and not become a victim of the wickedness of this world.
For example, Daniel, with his thanksgiving before God, escaped and did not die by the evil agenda of wicked ones that placed him in the den of Lions. Daniel 6:10 records, “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.”
Daniel gave thanks to God for escaping sudden death.
Thanksgiving before God gave Jonah an escape from sudden death. Jonah disobeyed God when he found himself in the belly of a fish.
The Bible records of Jonah, “But I will sacrifice to You With the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay what I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord.” (Jonah 2:9) Jonah engaged in thanks before God to gain deliverance from the belly of a fish.
Are you giving thanks to God with understanding?
When Jesus healed ten lepers, only one returned to give thanks to Jesus for his healing. The response of Jesus to the only one testifies to the truth that God waits for the return for thanksgiving.
The word records, “And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.” (Luke 17:15-19)
Thanksgiving before God should be rooted in the mind, not just in the head.

Prayer for today: Ask that a heart of thanksgiving become your way of life.