---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Byron Wicker
To: People Who Keep Company with God
Date: 11/26/2009 8:14:34 AM
Subject: The Power Of Thankfulness

Dear People Who Keep Company With God,

A few years ago I heard Bill Johnson give some counsel on how to stay in a move of God. Bill said, “You focus on what God is doing or has done, not on what He is not doing.”  A very practical way to stay focused on what God is doing or has done is by continually thanking Him for it. There is no question that it is easier to be thankful when things are going well. But, this year in the midst of great difficulties I learned that true and lasting breakthrough begins with thankfulness.

To understand the power of thankfulness we need to remember that in the spiritual realm “like attracts like.” Jesus told us, "For whoever has, to him more shall be given.” (Mark 4:25). Also see John 1:16 and John 10:10. Think about it like this, God and the angels are attracted to the aroma of Christ that we release when are walking in the Spirit and likewise demons are attracted to us when we are in sin, bitterness and unforgiveness. Therefore, by seeking to always maintain a heart of thankfulness you are communicating to the Lord and the heavenly host that you appreciate what you have been given. This attracts more of the grace and favor of God into your life and circumstances. This is why the Bible tells us to give thanks in everything (1 Thess. 5:18), so He can bless us even more.

Our family prayed for Grace, our daughter, for two and a half years to get pregnant and God answered our prayers. Sadly, it was a tubal pregnancy and we lost the baby. Below is Grace’s testimony on the power of thankfulness.

“The week I had my surgery, it was so painful and I thought to myself, "How am I going to get through this? It just hurts way too much." We had a choice to make, we could either be bitter and mad that we lost our baby or we could be thankful that we did get pregnant and that He took such good care of me when things could've gone really wrong.  We chose to be thankful and from there it was like I received speed healing.  The sting of it all was gone within just a few days.  We are still sad, but we have received healing grace.

I was also thinking about how I was so fearful before...I was fearful that we would have troubles getting pregnant.  Then we did. Then when I got pregnant, I was so fearful that we'd lose the baby. Then we did. Now, I am not fearful anymore.  There's a freedom that comes when you have faced your worst fears.  I don't have to fear those things anymore because they already happened and I know that I can get through it, even if it were to happen again.  It's so stupid to be fearful in the first place, it really is the easiest way the devil can hold us back.  Now that I know, I'm not going to let fear hold me back.”

Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; Hebrews 12:28

Other versions of the Bible say, “let us have grace” where the New American Standard says, “let us show gratitude.”  It turns out the phrase “let us have grace” in the original Greek language is used as an expression of giving thanks in several places in the New Testament. It is important to understand the connection between grace and thankfulness. The word thanksgiving comes from the Greek word eucharistia and the root word is from the word charis, which means grace.  Thanksgiving is like a door through which grace enters into our lives.

Great breakthrough awaits those who will be thankful in all things.

Many Blessings, BW