Quiet Time Bible Study #3 - Begin with Thanksgiving

There's something powerful about starting your day with gratitude. Before the rush of emails, the weight of responsibilities, or even that first cup of coffee, taking a moment to acknowledge God's goodness sets the tone for everything that follows. In our third installment of our early morning quiet time Bible studies, we're focusing on the transformative practice of beginning with thanksgiving.

Dr. Layne McDonald from First Assembly Memphis often reminds us that thanksgiving isn't just a November holiday, it's a daily discipline that reshapes our hearts and minds. When we start our quiet time with grateful hearts, we position ourselves to receive what God wants to teach us throughout the rest of our study time.

Today's Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

This isn't just a suggestion from Paul, it's described as God's will for our lives. Notice the progression: rejoice, pray, give thanks. It's not coincidental that thanksgiving comes after prayer in this verse. Often, our prayers begin with requests, but Paul is showing us a different order. When we give thanks in all circumstances, we're acknowledging that God is already at work, even before we see the full picture.

A Deeper Look: Why Thanksgiving First?

The Hebrew word for thanksgiving, todah, doesn't just mean saying "thank you." It carries the idea of extending your hands in gratitude, a physical expression of recognition and praise. When we begin our quiet time with todah, we're literally extending our hearts toward God before we ask for anything else.

Think about your human relationships. How do you feel when someone approaches you only with requests versus someone who first acknowledges what you've already done for them? God doesn't need our thanks to validate Himself, but our hearts need the practice of recognition. Thanksgiving realigns our perspective from what's missing to what's already present.

In Psalm 100:4, David writes, "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name." Even in approaching God's presence, thanksgiving is our entry point. It's the posture that prepares our hearts to receive from Him.

Meditation: The Practice of Morning Gratitude

As you sit with this verse this morning, consider what thanksgiving actually does in your heart. It's more than a mental exercise: it's a spiritual realignment. When Paul says to give thanks "in all circumstances," he's not asking us to be thankful for every difficult situation, but to find things to be grateful for even within challenging seasons.

This morning, before you dive into your regular prayer requests or concerns, take five minutes to simply list things you're grateful for from the past 24 hours. Maybe it's the fact that you woke up. Perhaps it's the roof over your head, the people in your life, or simply the opportunity to connect with God through His Word.

Dr. Layne McDonald often encourages our Boundless Online Church community to keep a gratitude journal during their quiet time. It doesn't have to be elaborate: just three things each morning that remind you of God's faithfulness. Over time, you'll begin to notice patterns of provision and care that might otherwise go unrecognized.

Notice that Paul doesn't say "give thanks when you feel like it" or "give thanks when things are going well." He says "in all circumstances." This suggests that thanksgiving is often a choice we make despite our feelings, not because of them. It's a discipline that trains our hearts to recognize God's presence and goodness even when life feels overwhelming.

The Science Behind Gratitude

Research consistently shows that practicing gratitude rewires our brains toward positivity and resilience. But long before neuroscience confirmed it, Scripture taught us this truth. When we begin our days acknowledging God's goodness, we're literally training our minds to notice His fingerprints throughout our day.

Gratitude also shifts us from a scarcity mindset to an abundance mindset. Instead of focusing on what we lack, thanksgiving highlights what we already have. This doesn't mean we ignore real needs or struggles, but it means we approach them from a foundation of God's faithfulness rather than from panic or fear.

Practical Steps for Thanksgiving-Centered Quiet Time

Start with breath prayers: Before you even open your Bible, take three deep breaths and with each exhale, whisper something you're grateful for. "Thank you, God, for this new day." "Thank you for your love." "Thank you for your faithfulness."

Use your senses: What can you see, hear, smell, or feel right now that reminds you of God's provision? Maybe it's sunlight streaming through a window, the sound of birds, or simply the ability to breathe freely.

Remember recent provisions: Think back over the past week. How did God show up? Where did you see His hand moving? Sometimes His provisions are obvious: a answered prayer, an unexpected blessing. Other times they're subtle: a peaceful moment, a friend's encouragement, safe travels.

Thank God for spiritual realities: Thank Him for your salvation, for the gift of His Word, for the Holy Spirit's presence, for the hope of eternity. These are gifts that don't change based on circumstances.

Reflection Question

As you consider Paul's instruction to "give thanks in all circumstances," what current situation in your life feels most challenging to approach with gratitude? How might starting your day with thanksgiving change your perspective on this situation?

Take a moment to sit with this question. Don't rush to find an answer or fix the problem. Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is simply acknowledge where we are and invite God's perspective into that space.

Morning Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for this new day and the opportunity to connect with you. Thank you for your faithfulness that is new every morning. Help me to cultivate a heart of gratitude that recognizes your goodness even in difficult circumstances. As I spend time in your Word today, prepare my heart through thanksgiving to receive what you want to teach me. May my gratitude not be dependent on my circumstances, but rooted in your unchanging character and love. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Growing Together

This quiet time Bible study is designed to be a starting point, not an ending point. We'd love to hear from you about how God is using this practice of beginning with thanksgiving in your own life.

Have you noticed a shift in your perspective when you start your quiet time with gratitude? What are some specific things you're thanking God for this morning? How has this practice of thanksgiving affected the rest of your prayer time?

Visit us at www.boundlessonlinechurch.org and share your thoughts in the comments. Your testimony might be exactly what someone else needs to hear today. Let's grow together in this discipline of gratitude and watch how God uses it to transform our hearts and our days.

Remember, you're not alone in this journey. Whether you're joining us online or you're part of our community at www.famemphis.org, we're here to support each other in developing these life-giving spiritual disciplines.

Tomorrow we'll explore our fourth quiet time Bible study in this series, focusing on how to approach God's Word with expectant hearts. But for today, let thanksgiving be your starting point, your foundation, and your pathway into God's presence.

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This quiet time Bible study is brought to you by Boundless Online Church and First Assembly Memphis. For more resources and to connect with our community, visit www.famemphis.org.

First Assembly Memphis 8650 Walnut Grove Road Cordova, Tennessee 38018 Phone: 901-843-8600 Email: fasocial@famemphis.net