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Heart To Heart

Kenneth W. HaginBy Kenneth W. Hagin


Giving Thanks Is Powerful!
Throughout the United States this month, we observe a special holiday—Thanksgiving. Typically, family and friends gather together and turkey dinners abound. Football games blare as we fellowship and gain a few pounds. But most of all, Thanksgiving should be a day when we give thanks to the Lord!


We can thank God for the great things He’s done for us. He’s delivered us from the power of darkness (Col. 1:13), redeemed us from the curse of the law (Gal. 3:13), and given us access to the throne of grace (Heb. 4:16). Because of what Jesus did at Calvary, we can enjoy all the benefits of God!

Can you imagine where you would be if it weren’t for the Lord? You may be alive today because He miraculously spared your life. Perhaps He healed you. Perhaps the doctors told you, “You won’t make it,” but you’re still here because of Jesus Christ!

One of the most powerful things you can do is to thank someone for what you have received from them. And another powerful thing you can do is to give thanks for what you’re going to receive. That’s what faith is! Thanking the Lord for what He has promised you that is not yet manifest in your life is a wonderful way to demonstrate your faith in Him.

So when your body is racked with pain, begin to thank God that by Jesus’ wounds you have been healed (1 Peter 2:24). When your pockets are empty, thank Him that He will meet all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:19). You’re not giving thanks for the problem—you’re giving thanks in spite of the problem. But you can’t thank Him for long without saying, “Father, it’s great to be alive!”

You see, giving thanks creates power in a person’s life that can enable him to overcome life’s problems. We should take every opportunity to shout to the Lord with a grateful heart. Psalm 100 says, “Shout for joy. . . . Worship the Lord with gladness; . . . Enter his gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations (vv. 1–2, 4–5 NIV). This Thanksgiving, let’s remember to thank the Lord!