On Monday we looked at how we can utter our expressions of Thanks-Living with our words. Today we will think about making expressions of Thanks-Living with our works. Both expressions are rooted in Ephesians 5:20 —
Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Expressions With Works
As we express our thanksgiving to God with our words, our words must be matched by our works. In short, our talk has to match our walk. The 16th-century Reformers were fond of saying, “We are saved by faith alone, but not a faith that is alone.” I have stated here many times that God does not in any way need our good works, but everyone around us absolutely does need them. And there is no better way for us to demonstrate that we are His than by our selfless service to others.
The way Paul opened his letter to the Philippians would be well said of all of us:
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:1)
Could your name be plugged in for Timothy’s? How would those around you respond to that question as it relates to you? Jesus came to serve, not to be served, and this is to be the confession of the lives of all those who are His. Remember, Jesus said if we want to be great we must serve (Mark 10:44-45). Service is the key that unlocks the door leading to living a life of significance.
Think about the happiest, most joy-filled people you know. I’d be willing to bet that the reason for their joy is because their lives are marked by service to others.
Here is a verse that we should all keep in view:
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good . . . (Acts 10:38)
The life and ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ was marked by service. He went around doing good — healing the sick, feeding the hungry, comforting the brokenhearted, and ultimately, giving His life as a ransom for all those who would believe in Him. When we realize just how blessed we are, we should want to spend the rest of our lives blessing others. Salvation, rightly understood, makes Christian believers so “other-oriented” that what we are by nature — self-absorbed — begins to be exchanged for self-sacrifice. We begin laying our lives down for others, just as our Lord did.
So . . . is your life marked by going around and doing good? Our calendar tomorrow is marked with the word “Thanksgiving.” But for the Christian, every day is to be a day of “Thanks-Living,” and it is to be expressed to all those we come in contact with, both by our words and our works.
Happy Thanksgiving! May your every day be marked by joyful expressions Of Thanks-Living.
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 
I appreciate the David O. McKay quote/meme you included differentiating between Thankfulness and Gratitude. We use these two words too interchangeably. We distinctly need to know the nuances so we can more properly approach God and others with true thankfulness, and true gratitude. Apart from the McKay quote, did your ole sis tell you that God has gifted you well communicating His Word through your writing? He has. I thank the Good Lord God Almighty for that, and thank you, too. God Bless!