Sometimes we’re quick to say ‘thank you’ without thinking about what it means. Well, for today’s #SummerSizzleBlogHop my friend Deb Wolf shares her top 10 favorite ways to give thanks to the Lord.
Deb is my dear friend and mentor who, through her life and example, has spoken peace into my own life. From her struggles through grief and pain, she offers hope for the one in search of God’s peace. Not because it sounds good but because she’s been there.
The #SummerSizzleBlogHop series features nine inspiring Christian bloggers. We’ve revived our best Christian faith content from our treasure chests to encourage you this summer. If you missed any of our top-rated posts you can catch them all here. And be sure to stop by next week to see who’s in the spotlight.
It’s Deb’s turn and she’s inspiring us to give thanks to the Lord!
Ten Favorite Ways to Give Thanks to the Lord
By Deb Wolf
You and I know God wants us to thank and praise Him but I sometimes wonder if I’m thanking Him the ways He wants.
I start my prayers with thank you and praise Him for who He is and what He does but are words enough.
David wrote:
Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High. Psalm 50:14 NLT
Honestly, words don’t feel like much of a sacrifice. I can say “thank you” so easily and then just as easily go back to living in ways that don’t seem very thankful.
What does thankful living look like? Thankfulness that is sacrificial? Thankfulness that is God’s will and pleases Him.
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT
How are you with the “all circumstances” part? Not so good? Yeah, me too.
I wonder (you know I do that a lot) . . . maybe there are ways give thanks to the Lord that go beyond simply speaking words. Ways to live with gratitude even when I don’t feel thankful for my circumstances.
Our Favorite Ways to Give Thanks to the Lord
1. Obey Him
If you add together the verses with the word “obey” and those reminding us to “listen” it’s close to a thousand. Faith leads to obedience as we thank God for the amazing gift of life in Jesus.
Everything you do or say should be done to obey Jesus your Lord. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus. Colossians 3:17
2. Worship Him
Remember worship is…
Taking your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Romans 12:1 MSG
We were made to worship – to thank and praise God, the One who loves us and gives us all we need for today and for always.
Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping Him with holy fear and awe. Hebrews 12:28 NLT
3. Thank Him with music
Make music. Sing praise. Music gives our thanks and praise emotion. So, make that “joyful noise” at home, in the car, at church . . . anywhere. Turn up the tunes and give thanks to the Lord.
And each morning and evening they stood before the Lord to sing songs of thanks and praise to Him. 1 Chronicles 23:30 NLT
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4. Pray to Him
You pray and begin your prayers with words of thanks and praise. But let’s go beyond “thank you for all You do for me.” Let’s be specific. Naming God’s past provision and help not only thanks Him it can help prevent worry and fear.
Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks. Philippians 4:6 NCV
5. Love and Care for Others
This is stewardship. Using what God has given us to bless others. God’s love is unfailing. His care is personal. You and I have all we need to love and care for the people around us.
Each of you has received a gift to use to serve others. Be good servants of God’s various gifts of grace. Anyone who speaks should speak words from God. Anyone who serves should serve with the strength God gives so that in everything God will be praised through Jesus Christ. Power and glory belong to him forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:10–11 NCV
6. Surrender Everything to Him
It’s hard to offer everything, isn’t it? It needs an eternal perspective and I so easily get caught up in what’s right in front of my face. Trusting God and surrendering everything to Him . . . that’s thanksgiving with faith.
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him. Romans 12:1 NLT
7. Tell People about Who He Is and What He Does
Tell your story. You’re a changed life, tell people about it. Tell them about forgiveness and freedom from fear . . . about love, hope, and joy. Thank God by telling others about His awesome blessings.
I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. Psalm 9:1 NLT
8. Trust His Will
Trust is reliance and confident expectation. Thank God for past blessings by trusting Him with your future. Follow where He leads. He has a plan and that plan includes you. Trust His love and follow where He leads.
The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. Psalm 28:7 NLT
9. Be Joyful
Joy is contentment and satisfaction. Finding joy in God says that He is enough, that you and I are content and satisfied in Him.
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Philippians 4:4,6 NLT
10. Make Everything You Do and Say an Offering of Thankfulness
God loves you. His goodness and mercy cover you. Pay attention. Count your blessings. Live with gratitude. Make your life an offering of thanks in response to all God has done for you.
May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to His people, who live in the light. For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. Colossians 1:11–14 NLT
Oh, how I wish I didn’t get so caught up in myself. Maybe you wish that too.
I want my life to show that my is heart full of thanks.
I want to join David and say…
I trust God’s love forever and ever. God, I will thank You forever for what You have done. With those who worship you, I will trust You because You are good. Psalm 52:8–9
And with God’s help I will.
Will you pray with me?
Father, Thank you for your countless blessings. Because of Jesus, Your grace and mercy cover me every day. Your love surrounds me. May my life be an offering of thanks for who You are and all You do. I love you, Lord. I trust You. Help me obey and follow wherever You lead. In Jesus name. O pray. Amen.
How about you?
How do you give thanks to the Lord?
Which of these ten ways will you try today?
Let us know in the comments. We’d love to hear from you.
Meet Deb
Deb is a passionate blessing counter who loves to study the ways faith and life intersect. This year at Counting My Blessings, she is SEEKing God’s will – one day at a time.
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33
Deb lives in Missouri with her husband and furry child, Sadie now that all of their human children are grown and have little ones of their own. And yes, being a grandparent is the best!
She’s hoping you will join her on Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter.
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How about some extra summer sparkle?
I’m teaming up with some of my favorite blogging friends to bring you the best of the best, all summer long.
During June and July, we’re sharing our top posts in the #SummerSizzleBlogHop. Each week you’ll find a new post on each of our blogs (Counting My Blessings with Deb Wolf, Valerie Murray, Ruthie Gray, Dawn Klinge, Nicki Schroeder, Diana from Diana’s Diaries, Melanie Redd, Married by His Grace with Carmen Brown, and of course right here on SunSparkleShine.
It’s going to be hot, hot, hot, so be sure sign up for blog updates so you don’t miss any of it (and get a free set of PRAY cards too!).
What a great list — and a needed one, too, as it is easy to forget to thank God at times. Thank you for sharing this over at GraceFull Tuesday!
It’s amazing how easy it is to take Him for granted, right Ronja? I’m grateful for Deb’s reminders!
Bless you.
Thank you, Marva, for allowing me to share with your readers and for your kind words of introduction! Once again you have blessed me abundantly!!! Love you, my friend! God bless you!!
The honor is mine, Deb. I’m so glad God connected us in the most amazing ways, both online and in person. He is such a loving God who knows just what we need.
Blessings to you!
Thanks, Emily! I’m so glad this blessed you! I fall so far short of thanking God the way I want. If only I could consistently live simply to give Him glory and praise. Only with His Spirit’s help. God’s blessings as you serve Him and lift Him high at To Unearth!
What a great point that sometimes it’s so easy to say the words “thank you,” that they’re not much of a sacrifice. This is a great list of how to say thank you to God with more than our words. And I also love the point that we thank Him because He is good. Not for the blessings or for our circumstances alone. First and foremost, we must thank Him because He deserves our praise! Visiting from #GraceFullTuesday. 🙂