In this weeks study Bro. Leo starts a series on “thankfulness” toward God, what does it mean to have a spirit of, perspective of and a mindset of gratitude.

In Col.3:15 the words “and be ye thankful” are in a command text.  Paul is telling us we should always be thankful.

In Acts 27:35 the words “gave thanks” are translated from the Greek word “eucharisteō” which means 1) to show oneself grateful, 2) to be thankful in ones heart and to express that gratitude with word or action, 3) gratefully  acknowledge acknowledgement of God’s past mercies and blessings.

Col.1:9-14 can be read as a prayer of thanksgiving every day for yourself and your loved ones.

Our gratitude is not based on the amount or quantity of material things possessed, but on the amount or quantity of gratitude you possess for what you already have.  We should be thanking God for not only the material things that you have been blessed to acquire with the money that God has provided to you, but also for all the priceless things in your life like your family and loved ones, your health and the health of your family and loved ones.

We need to praying asking God to increase our gratitude for the blessings He has already blessed us with.

Scriptures used in today’s study:

Col 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Act 27:33 And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.
Act 27:34 Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.
Act 27:35 And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.
Act 27:36 Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.
Act 27:37 And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.
Act 27:38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea.

Act 28:12 And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days.
Act 28:13 And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli:
Act 28:14 Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.
Act 28:15 And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.

Php 1:4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
Php 1:5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;

Col 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
Col 1:10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Col 1:11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
Col 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
Col 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
Col 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Col 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Col 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Heb 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
Heb 13:16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.