May peace and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be multiplied in your life! I believe that the word I am sharing here strengthens and helps you. Yesterday we talked about the life of Apostle Paul and we saw that Paul learned not to murmur and complain; he knew how to give thanks to God for everything. Because of it, he witnessed many miracles in his life. Someone might say, «I still do not have a job, even though I have prayed and the church has prayed for me». Or he might say, «Thank You, Lord, for the daily bread You give me». Do you see a difference? In the first case we hear murmuring, in the second – thanksgiving. Is it really necessary to thank God for the daily bread? Absolutely, since many people are forced to go hungry from day to day. When you learn to thank God for the things you have, you become qualified for multiplication. It is a very simple formula. After Jesus thanked the Father for the bread and fish, they all experienced the miracle of multiplication. A great multitude of people were fed to the full and they also had some food left. God teaches us to be grateful in our present situation, so that we would be able to enter the glorious future He has prepared for us. When John saw this miracle of multiplication, he was amazed and acknowledged the Source of this miracle with thanksgiving:
«However, other boats came from Tiberias, near the place where they ate bread after the Lord had given thanks…» (John, 6:23).
So we see that thanksgiving played an important role in Jesus’ life. Thanksgiving also had an important part during the Last Supper: «Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, „Drink from it, all of you” »(Mathew, 26:27).
«..and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, „Take, eat: this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me” » (1 Corinthians, 11:24).
The last minutes of His life Jesus spent in giving thanks. He took bread and wine (the cup) that symbolized His Body and Blood and gave thanks to God for the opportunity to sacrifice His life for the world that was perishing. Even though He was facing death, He gave thanks to God because He knew what God’s perfect will for His life was. Jesus did not thank God only for the good things. No! Jesus gave thanks to God even when He was facing death. He knew that God’s ways are righteous and His will and His deeds are perfect. Jesus broke bread and gave it to His disciples, saying: Take, eat: this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me “. Also He took the cup and told the disciples to drink from it. What did He do? He broke His own Body and poured His own Blood as redemption for many. It was not easy to do, but Jesus had enough wisdom and strength to give thanks to God. Bible encourages us to do everything as unto the Lord – from our hearts, with joy and thanksgiving: «Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. But he who does wrong will be repaid fro what he has done, and there is no partiality» (Colossians, 3:22-25).
Many of us still murmur when we face the slightest problem or injustice. Jesus gave thanks to God no matter the circumstances, because He knew that God’s will was good, acceptable and perfect. Even if you do not like some things, but you understand that it is God’s will for your life at the moment, start giving thanks to God. For example, if you know that it is God’s will for you to work, then even when you do not like your work very much, you should thank God for His will and He will do a miracle in your life. It is God’s will for us to minister to one another, so give thanks to God for every opportunity to serve people, even if at times it is inconvenient. Thank God always and in everything, because it is God’s will for us. Follow Jesus’ example and you will witness many miracles in your life. That is what Jesus meant when He said: «Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father» (John, 14:12).
May God give you understanding in these matters! God bless you! Pastor Rufus Ajiboye
