the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
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Bible Dictionaries
Thanksgiving
Bridgeway Bible Dictionary
or The lives of God’s people are to be characterized by the offering of thanksgiving to God always, for everything, and in all circumstances (Ephesians 5:19-20; Philippians 4:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:18). They are to give thanks for blessings, spiritual and physical (Colossians 1:12; 1 Timothy 4:3-4), in their own lives and in the lives of others (Acts 28:15; 2 Thessalonians 1:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:13). Thanksgiving is part of praise, prayer and worship (Psalms 95:1-7; Psalms 116:17; Colossians 4:2; Revelation 7:12; Revelation 11:17). (See also PRAISE; PRAYER; WORSHIP.)
Believers should remind themselves constantly to thank God for all his blessings. They can do this by making sure that thanksgiving accompanies all their requests to God (Psalms 30:12; Psalms 92:1-4; Psalms 103:1-5; Philippians 4:6; Colossians 4:2; 1 Timothy 2:1). They should be particularly thankful that God, in his love, has chosen them (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14), made them sharers in his grace (1 Corinthians 1:4), equipped them with faith, hope and love (Colossians 1:3-5), and given them a part in the service of the gospel (2 Corinthians 1:11; Philippians 1:4-5). By constantly offering thanks to God, Christians help counter the influence of sin (Ephesians 5:4). By failing to offer thanks to God, they fail to give him the glory due to him (Luke 17:16-18).
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Fleming, Don. Entry for 'Thanksgiving'. Bridgeway Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/bbd/t/thanksgiving.html. 2004.
