Thanks-Giving is a Lifestyle, Part 4 - Abounding With Thanksgiving

Colossians 2:6, As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. 

Giving thanks is not some kind of a pep rally. Giving thanks is a real life way to handle difficulties. Stop and think of times when you have felt overwhelmed by problems and difficulties. If you can remember, those seasons lacked a time of deep thanks giving to God. There's absolutely no way to successfully handle problems without the balance of rejoicing and giving thanks to God which releases his grace into the situation.

Rooted and Built up

Just as the great tree is deep-rooted in the soil and draws its nourishment from like giant Sequoia redwood survive fires. it , so the Christian is rooted in Christ, the source of his life and strength. Just as the house stands fast because it is built on strong foundations, so  the Christian life is resistant to any storm 

Thanksgiving keeps your heart clear of darkness

Romans 1:21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Again, Thanksgiving is a lifestyle. It is a way of living and thinking. Giving thanks to God actually keeps our heart clear and our minds positive,

The apostle Paul ministered in person and by letter with a mixture call reality, encouragement, instruction, and Thanksgiving. He also talked about something that's going to sound a bit unusual but I wanted to get a hold of this. One of the characteristics of believers who are active in the kingdom and making a kingdom impact is appreciating the significance of something that the Bible calls mystery.

In our culture, the word mystery is a genre of style. The mystery genre is a type of fiction in which a detective, or other professional, solves a crime or series of crimes. We sometimes call it “who-done-it.’

Colossians 2:2, For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

1 Corinthians 2:7, But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory,

What is the mystery of God? Why would treasures of wisdom and knowledge be hidden?

A mystery is something perfectly plain to the person who has ears to hear, but is completely hidden to the person who doesn’t care and will not focus.

Ephesians 1:9-10 (NIV) He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

Paul then tells us the reason why God reveals truth to us in a mystery.

God wants the things He shows you to be more important, more impactful and more enduring there anything else you ever hear or learn.

Colossians 2:4 Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. 5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. 6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.  9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.