Have You Said ‘Thank You’ Today?
[I] cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers. — Ephesians 1:16
When was the last time you gave thanks from your heart for the loved ones God has placed in your life? The phrase “give thanks” in Ephesians 1:16 comes from the Greek word eucharisteo, a compound of the words eu and charis. The word eu means good or well. It denotes a general good disposition or an overwhelmingly good feeling about something. The word charis is the Greek word for grace or freely granted favor.
When these two words are compounded into one, they form the word eucharisteo. This compound word describes an outpouring of grace and of wonderful feelings that freely flow from the heart in response to someone or something. This is the word Paul used when he “gave thanks” for the Ephesian church. In fact, in nearly all his epistles, Paul used eucharisteo when he “gave thanks” for people he loved.
For instance, Paul used this word in Ephesians 1:16 when he said, “[I] cease not to give thanks for you....” This means that when Paul thought of the Ephesian church, wonderful feelings of thankfulness would well up in his heart for them.
The Greek carries this idea in Ephesians 1:16:
“Thanking God for you is so easy — it just flows out of my heart every time I think of you. In fact, I never take a break from letting God know how I feel about you.”
In Colossians 1:3, Paul uses the same Greek word when he says, “We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you.” In First Thessalonians 1:2, he again uses the same Greek word when he prays similarly for the Thessalonian believers: “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers.” In Second Thessalonians 1:3, he uses this word again when he writes, “We are bound to thank God always for you....”
The fact that Paul used the word eucharisteo when he prayed for his dearest friends reminds us that we must be thankful for the relationships God has put in our lives. Whenever we think of our closest circle of friends, a deep sense of gratefulness, thankfulness, and appreciation should well up within us!
So when you’re praying for others, stop for a moment and reflect on all God has done in your life through those who are closest to you. When you realize how valuable those relationships have been to you, you’ll be able to freely, joyfully, and unreservedly thank God for such precious friends!
When these two words are compounded into one, they form the word eucharisteo. This compound word describes an outpouring of grace and of wonderful feelings that freely flow from the heart in response to someone or something. This is the word Paul used when he “gave thanks” for the Ephesian church. In fact, in nearly all his epistles, Paul used eucharisteo when he “gave thanks” for people he loved.
For instance, Paul used this word in Ephesians 1:16 when he said, “[I] cease not to give thanks for you....” This means that when Paul thought of the Ephesian church, wonderful feelings of thankfulness would well up in his heart for them.
The Greek carries this idea in Ephesians 1:16:
“Thanking God for you is so easy — it just flows out of my heart every time I think of you. In fact, I never take a break from letting God know how I feel about you.”
In Colossians 1:3, Paul uses the same Greek word when he says, “We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you.” In First Thessalonians 1:2, he again uses the same Greek word when he prays similarly for the Thessalonian believers: “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers.” In Second Thessalonians 1:3, he uses this word again when he writes, “We are bound to thank God always for you....”
The fact that Paul used the word eucharisteo when he prayed for his dearest friends reminds us that we must be thankful for the relationships God has put in our lives. Whenever we think of our closest circle of friends, a deep sense of gratefulness, thankfulness, and appreciation should well up within us!
So when you’re praying for others, stop for a moment and reflect on all God has done in your life through those who are closest to you. When you realize how valuable those relationships have been to you, you’ll be able to freely, joyfully, and unreservedly thank God for such precious friends!
MY PRAYER FOR TODAY
Lord, You have blessed me with the most wonderful friends — and today I want to thank You for putting such great people in my life. Long-term, real friends are such a treasure, so I want to start this day* by thanking You for these gifts of precious relationships. Help me never lose sight of how much I need these people. Help me also to never fail to show them how much I love and appreciate them!
I pray this in Jesus’ name!
I pray this in Jesus’ name!
MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY
I am thankful for the relationships God has placed in my life. They are a blessing to me, and I am a blessing to them. God brought us together, and Satan will not tear us apart. I will learn to love them more dearly, forgive them more quickly, and show them the same patience I want them to show me. I am richly blessed with some of the best friends I could ever ask for!
I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!
I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!
QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER
- How long has it been since you stopped to thank God for the people He has placed in your life?
- When you pray, do you focus only on the “problem people” who bother you and steal your peace, or do you always make certain to take the time to thank God for the faithful ones?
- Write down a list of all the people God has specially used to help you in life. Then stop to tell the Lord how grateful you are that He sent each one of them into your life.
.
.
. . . Source: Sparkling Gems From The Greek Vol. 1: 365 Greek Word Studies For Every Day Of The Year To Sharpen Your Understanding Of God's Word | Rick Renner
.
. . . Source: Sparkling Gems From The Greek Vol. 1: 365 Greek Word Studies For Every Day Of The Year To Sharpen Your Understanding Of God's Word | Rick Renner
Recent
Don’t Ignore the Last Words!
February 4th, 2023
Do Whatever Is Necessary To Keep Envy and Strife Out of Your Life!
February 3rd, 2023
The Greatest Price Ever Paid To Set a Slave Free!
February 2nd, 2023
Does God’s Word Feel at Home in Your Life?
February 1st, 2023
Unshackled From The Tyranny and Cruelty of Sin!
January 31st, 2023
Archive
2023
January
Do Not Grieve the Holy Spirit!Dealing With Wrong Attitudes The Right WayHow To Remedy Spiritual Boredom in Your Life!It’s Time for You To Act Fast!Have You Said ‘Thank You’ Today?Learning To ‘Follow the Leader’When Your Attitude Stinks So Badly That It Affects Everyone Around You!A Unique Receptacle Specially Made for the Power of God!Where Should You Go When You Get Discouraged?Preparing the Troops For Battle!It’s Time To Get Creative In ‘Doing the Word’Have You Paid Attention To Yourself Lately?What Should You Do When Your Plans Seem Hindered?The Dead-End Places Of LifeComrades In the Lord Jesus ChristNever Forget That You Are More Than a Conqueror!A Spirit of Wisdom And Revelation for YouA Time To Forcefully Speak the Truth in LoveHow To Be A Spiritual BillionaireYou Are Never Alone!Staying Untangled From the WorldA Fight Always Follows IlluminationIs It Time To Make a Change In Your Environment?You’re Not a Spiritual Orphan!Royal Ambassadors For ChristIs It Ever Right To Hate Something?Unshackled From The Tyranny and Cruelty of Sin!
Categories
Tags
no tags
No Comments