By Bishop David Oyedepo
Welcome to December! I believe we had diverse encounters with what it takes to enjoy a successful life all through the month of November 2020. However, we have to keep practicing these steps and continue walking with the principles to fully actualise the glorious inheritance God has for us.
This month, we shall be exploring the virtues embedded in praise as one of the most effective of all spiritual weapons at our disposal. We shall focus on the topic: Thanksgiving: Our Access to a Breaking Limit Heritage!
It is clear from Scriptures that no one arrives at a future he/she cannot see. The Bible says, And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed forever (Genesis 13:14-15).
Thus, whatever we cannot see, God cannot deliver (Hebrews 11:1). Furthermore, our breaking limit heritage will only be actualised on God’s terms, not on our terms and this is because it takes the hand of God to bring to pass His Word (Isaiah 53:1). However, it takes thanksgiving to provoke the hand of God; if you are not thankful, you cannot secure the hand of God (James 5:13).
Therefore, as the year gradually comes to an end, we must begin to recognise God’s faithfulness in our lives despite the happenings in the world. Job was too conscious of his coming change and the challenges were not sufficient to distract his attention (Job 19:25). If we have lost anything, God is the reason we have not lost everything and so, we owe Him thanks.
Why Must We Give God Thanks?
Thanksgiving is a Debt we owe God: Anytime God does anything; He is waiting for acknowledgement. When that one leper returned, Jesus said, …were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine (Luke 17:17)? So, thanksgiving is a debt we owe God and we must pay because it is a commandment (Malachi 2:2-3).
To Preserve the Blessings: As it is written, If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the Lord of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart. Behold, I will corrupt your seed, and spread dung upon your faces, even the dung of your solemn feasts; and one shall take you away with it (Malachi 2:2-3).
To Perfect the Blessings: It is written, And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. After that, he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly (Mark 8:22-25).
To Multiply the Blessings: Scripture says, And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would (John 6:11).
Therefore, nothing is preserved, perfected, and multiplied without thanksgiving. Also, thanksgiving is a mystery that makes things happen. Concerning Abraham, the Bible says, He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform (Romans 4:20-21). Nothing was happening; yet, he gave glory to God, and then his Isaac came.
According to the Scriptures, we are commanded to give thanks to God for all things. The Bible says, Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:20). We are also commanded to give thanks in all things. As it is written, In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you (1 Thessalonians 5:18). So, giving thanks to God is an all-time requirement; in season and out of season. Therefore, when thanksgiving becomes our lifestyle; breakthrough becomes our new identity.
In conclusion, thanksgiving is key to accessing our breaking limit heritage in Christ. However, for your thanksgiving to be acceptable unto God, you must be born again. If you are not, this is an opportunity to do so. Simply say the following prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Today, I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now, I know I am born again!
For further reading, get my books: Understanding the Power of Praise and Wonders of Praise.
I invite you to fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, the covenant home of Winners.
We have four services on Sundays, holding at 6 a.m., 7.55 a.m., 9.50 a.m. and 11.45 a.m. respectively. Also, you can join our live services via Facebook: David Oyedepo Ministries International, Twitter: @Davidoyedepomin, Instagram: davidoyedepomin, YouTube: Living Faith Church Worldwide, Hebron 95.9 FM, Winners World App, Impact Africa TV (on Startimes and NigComSat), Domi Radio and via the Church Satellite.
I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria, call 01-4548070, 01-4548280, or E-mail: dphprints@gmail.com.
