How to Give God Thanks in Everything

Good is in Your Future!

Last week we talked about giving thanks to God for our future. In particular we were reminded to give thanks for our eternal life. It was a lovely reminder that we have something huge to be thankful for to God. Everlasting life is as good as it gets. Today I want to show you more of God’s plan for your future, so that you can continue to thank Him for it. This is going to be fun today! You will get to see some great things that God has planned for you.


Today go to Ephesians 2:10, and let’s look at God’s words through Paul. Paul was a zealous missionary of the Gospel. After conversion (from a man focused on persecuting believers to a follower of Jesus), Paul became an instrument to deliver the Gospel to the Gentiles. Paul was chosen by God to bring the message of salvation to many. In Ephesians 2:10 he writes to fellow Christians. That is you and me.


Ephesians 2:10
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.


This verse tells us that God prepared in advance good works for us to do. It says we are created to do good works. God created us to do good works, and he prepared them in advance. Your future includes good works! Isn’t that wonderful news? I love to do good works. Good works are good. Your tomorrow is good works. God does not prepare anything in advance for no reason. What God prepares in advance is meant to happen. Your good works are planned and ready. Your future is beautiful because it is filled with good works.


Thank God for tomorrow and your good works. I love that! I am thrilled that tomorrow, the next day, the next week and the next year are planned with good works. What if I die? It does not matter because my spirit lives forever, and I would bet that my spirit has some good works planned also. Good works are your future! What a fantastic thing to thank our Creator for. I look forward to my good works. I am excited to see and do them. Are you excited?


This week meditate on Ephesians 2:10 please.
Ephesians 2:10
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.


Start with “For we are God’s workmanship” and consider the meaning of the word “workmanship.” Throughout your day ask God to reveal meaning to you in that word. You are God’s workmanship! Think about that. Look at yourself and see God’s workmanship. Later in the week meditate on the fact that you are “created in Christ Jesus to do good works.” Here is another purpose God has for you. God’s plan for you is to do good works. This is his will for you.


Now you know two purposes God has for you, two reasons he created you.


1. In everything give thanks. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
2. Good works. (Ephesians 2:10)


I know you are probably eager to see these good works God has planned for you. You probably want to seek them and get started. I understand, but for now just let Ephesians 2:10 sink in a bit. Let the knowing that God has plans for you, good plans, settle in your heart. Let this feel satisfying to your soul. Feel joy and peace in the fact that God has prepared in advance good works for you.


Meditate on this verse this week and enjoy it. Enjoy the news that you are God’s workmanship. Don’t try to kick start your good works. You are probably already doing them, or they are in motion in the spiritual world. God wants you to find peace in your life knowing that He has a plan for you and it involves good. Good is in your future. God will put you in your good works when the timing is right. Today let this verse quench your thirst for discovering a purpose for your life. Find peace and comfort that God has good planned for your future – good works.