INTRODUCTION

Men should willingly give thanks “for all things” (Ephesians 5:20Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
See All...), but today's passage teaches a somewhat different truth: men should give thanks “in every thing.” The subtle differences between these two truths turn out to be quite profound. They express two different facets of the Christian's call to give thanks: give thanks to God for all things, but our thanks should take place in the midst of all things, good and bad. This means that we should not simply give God thanks once a certain trial of life has ended, but the thankfulness should take place while these trials are ongoing. Very few believers seem to recognize the importance of giving thanks for trials, but even fewer seem willing to give that thanks during the heat of the trial. Why is this so important? God says that the giving of this thanks, even in the midst of trials, is God’s will for our lives.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): Think about it: if you thank God when you are sick, won't it be much easier to thank Him when you are well. Thank God when others are mean to you and it will be easier to keep that spirit of thankfulness when you are having fun together with others. Remember to give thanks to God every day.
• (For everyone):Do you give thanks to God for your trials? When do you give thanks for them? Is it after the trial is ended or while you are in the midst of the trial?
• What are you going through right now? Have you thanked God for allowing it? Are you willing to give God thanks “in every thing”? Does it concern you that this is God’s will for your life?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Thank God for the trials that you are facing.
• Ask God to give you a heart that overflows with thanksgiving.

HYMN

If On a Quiet Sea

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