1. Remember him- It’s not possible to give thanks to God without remembering him. We have to think and speak of him, bless him, love him, do his will.
2. Recognize his hand- To give thanksgiving to God, you must recognize his hand in your lives. You must recognize him as the source. What has he done for you? What blessings has he given you? What battles has he won for you? How long has he preserved your life? How long has he preserved that your health till this age? A great idea is to get a plain piece of paper and number your blessings one by one and then thank him.
3. Give thanksgiving in prayer- one of the ways most people give thanks to God is through prayer. You need to thank him for what he has done, what he is doing and what he is still going to do. He awaits our expressions of gratitude each morning and night in sincerity, simple prayer in our hearts for our security, good health, blessings, promotions, gifts and talents and of course deliverance, lastly favour.
Through our show of gratitude in prayers, we display our dependence on him for a higher source of wisdom and knowledge.
4. Keeping a gratitude journal- An outstanding way to display gratitude to God is by keeping a gratitude journal. A gratitude journal isn’t just a list of blessings he showered upon us nor a list of battles he won for us but indeed it is a way to keep track of what the lord has done for you on a daily basis. Picture your child keep a journal of all you do for him/her on a daily basis and then shows it to you at the end of the month while praising and thanking you. How would you feel? The following month won’t you do more for that child?
5. Repentance of sins- Repentance by itself is a great way for which we ought to bless God for. It is one of the greatest way of appreciating God. Please note that gratitude is the basement upon which repentance is built upon.
6. Obedience of commandments- When you obey his commandments, you work hand in glove with him. Obedience is a unique way of thanking the lord. It is not possible to be sincerely grateful to God without obeying him
7. Serving in his vineyard- This one puts a smile on the face of the Almighty God, that’s the whole essence of thanksgiving.
8. Have an attitude of gratitude- Having an attitude of gratitude keeps your path glowing and shinning. If you have this attitude, everything that concerns you must shine. As long as you keep showing gratitude to him, your path continues to shine.
9. Humility- Humility begets gratitude, while pride begets ingratitude. In the parable of the Pharisee and republican(Luke 18 9:14) Jesus taught us what happens to those who are lifted up in pride, those who are humble. He said “For every one that exalted himself shall be abased, he that humble himself shall be exalted. In the face of adversity, we must make a choice. We can react to our afflictions by becoming humble and thankful or we can become angry and bitter. Choosing humility over pride is an art of thanksgiving.
10. Make a new resolution- Another way of showing thanksgiving to God is to make a new resolution or goal. To say goodbye to a bad habit or character.
11. Gifts/Money/Dance/Song/Talent- This is a very common way of thanksgiving yet very powerful. Thanking God with your substance commands a mighty outpouring from heaven. When I say honouring God with your substance I necessarily do not mean your physical cash. It could be your dance step! May be a special hymn for the lord! Perhaps a well packed gift for the church e.g. a musical instrument or painting the church or a standing fan or an air conditioner. Buying and distribution of bibles or hymn books too is acceptable. Sponsoring evangelism or a go a fishing is just fine. Provision of transportation for ministers and members for a crusade is also a good way to show appreciation. Feeding the less privileged and ministers is also a way of showing appreciation to God. Decorating the altar of God is a power way to say Thank you Jesus! Using your body to work for him is a way of thanksgiving- You could help out in the cleaning of the church or assisting in the vineyard is definitely a way of saying Thank you.
Sponsoring some less privileged children’s education is a way of appreciating your maker. Giving to his ministers, the widow, orphans are ways to say I appreciate you God.
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