Christianity | Jacob Pike's Blog

A few thoughts recently on “thankfulness” within the context of prayer:

don’t cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers, – Ephesians 1:16 (WEB)

Paul here is writing here about being thankful that he is surrounded [in some sense] by fellow partners in Jesus Christ, which he brings up in his prayers. We see that this is what Paul is talking about from the previous verse:

For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is among you, and the love which you have toward all the saints, – Ephesians 1:15 (WEB)

I am not an expert on Greek grammar, so I cannot definitively say what the beginning of verse 15 “For this cause” is referring to. However, I suspect that at least some of what is in Paul’s mind here is what comes before verse 15, rather than what comes just after this phrase in verse 15. What that means is that if we look before this verse in the letter to the Ephesians, we will see many more reasons for this thankfulness:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without defect before him in love, having predestined us for adoption as children through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his desire, to the praise of the glory of his grace, by which he freely gave us favor in the Beloved, in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him to an administration of the fullness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens and the things on the earth, in him. We were also assigned an inheritance in him, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who does all things after the counsel of his will, to the end that we should be to the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ. In him you also, having heard the word of the truth, the Good News of your salvation—in whom, having also believed, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is a pledge of our inheritance, to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of his glory. – Ephesians 1:3-14 (WEB)

This gives numerous underlying reasons behind the immediate reasons for Paul’s thankfulness in prayer. It is these things that have ultimately led Paul to have fellow partners with faith and love in Jesus Christ.

Thankfulness – being able to rejoice with gratitude in good things – is an important part of prayer and spiritual warfare:

Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, “Rejoice!” Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report: if there is any virtue and if there is any praise, think about these things. – Philippians 4:4-8 (WEB)

So how much do you think on (and “thank on”) these things?

This is important in evangelism toward those who do not know Jesus, in a world that is quite devoid of hope. If others are able to see your hope through your happy demeanor (especially in the face of struggles), that gives opportunity for asking questions and conversations that can lead to opportunities for you to answer:

not rendering evil for evil, or insult for insult; but instead blessing, knowing that you were called to this…Now who will harm you if you become imitators of that which is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “Don’t fear what they fear, neither be troubled.” But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts. Always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear, – 1 Peter 3:9-15 (WEB)

2016 has certainly been an interesting year. If I could largely sum up what’s been going on with me this past year, I’d say God’s been giving me an increasing sense of the seriousness and importance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the lives of people (myself included).

So, without further ado, here’s a collection of some Bible verses that have really stuck out to me throughout the last year:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” — Ro 1:16-17 (ESV)

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. — Ro 8:1-2 (NKJV)

who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. — 1 Ti 2:4-6 (ESV)

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. — 2 Pe 3:9 (ESV)

save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. — Jud 23 (ESV)

For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. — 1 Co 2:2 (ESV)

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. — Php 1:21 (ESV)

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. — Ro 12:1-2 (ESV)

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. — Php 4:8 (ESV)

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. — 2 Co 10:5 (NIV)

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. — Ro 12:3 (ESV)

Not that we are competent of ourselves to claim anything as coming from us; our competence is from God, who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of letter but of spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. — 2 Co 3:5-6 (NRSV)

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. — Eph 4:29 (ESV)

You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness. Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls. — Jas 1:19-21 (NRSV)

I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. — Eph 3:16-21 (NRSV)

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. — Php 4:6-7 (ESV)

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. — Col 3:15-17 (ESV)

See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. — 1 Th 5:15-24 (ESV)

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. — Heb 11:1 (ESV)

in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began — Tt 1:2 (ESV)

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. — Jas 1:17 (ESV)

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: — Php 1:6 (KJV)

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. — Heb 10:23 (ESV)

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe; — Heb 12:28 (NRSV)

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. — Jud 24-25 (ESV)

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. — Jas 1:14-15 (ESV)

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. — Jas 1:27 (NRSV)

If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? — Jas 2:15-16 (ESV)

So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. — Jas 4:17 (ESV)

By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. — 1 Jn 4:17-18 (ESV)

We love because he first loved us. — 1 Jn 4:19 (ESV)

Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. — Re 3:19-20 (ESV)

and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. — 2 Ti 3:15-17 (ESV)

who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer. — 1 Ti 4:3-5 (ESV)

Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” So we can say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper;
I will not be afraid.
What can anyone do to me?” — Heb 13:5-6 (NRSV)

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. — Eph 2:10 (ESV)

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. — Heb 10:24-25 (ESV)

And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. — 1 Jn 2:28 (KJV)

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” — Re 21:1-5 (ESV)

And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. — Re 21:22-23 (ESV)

The Scripture quotations contained herein and marked (NRSV) are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are from the King James Version, which is in the public domain.

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