The above two references have a lot in common. Focus on Ephesians 5:20 and I Thessalonians 5:18 - "Giving thanks always for all things…" and "In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." These passages are connected to instructions to "Be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18) and to "Quench not the Spirit" (I Thessalonians 5:19). To help us operate in a spirit of thankfulness, let's consider the "all things" and the "everything" of which Ephesians 5:20 and I Thessalonians 5:18 are speaking. Consider the word "providence." The root word is "provide." What happens in our life is part of God's provision for us. As we thank God for who He is, let us also give thanks for what He does. "Thankful for all things" means that we are thankful for the providence of God. What can we know about God's providence?

Romans 8:28 - A Good Providence.

All things serve God's gracious purpose in the lives of His people. All things, good or bad, work together for good because God has a masterplan for our lives. God called us. He called us from the destructive path that we were walking and turned us 180 degrees to walk in a righteous path that leads us to glory (Matthew 7:13-14; 16:24-26; Acts 26:18; Romans 6:20-23; 8:16-18; Colossians 1:12-13; II Peter 1:3 cp. Psalm 23:3). Therefore, everything happening to us is designed to teach us, develop us, and use us for His benevolent purposes (Jeremiah 29:11).

Romans 8:26-27, 33-34 - The Triune God has a network of prayer for our good.

Romans 8:28-29 - God's purpose is to conform us to the image of His Son.

Romans 8:30-31 - God is for us. His plans were made before the world was even created. It is not a last-minute thing. God is not trying to figure it out day-by-day.

Romans 8:32 - God made the most enormous purchase to possess us. He will protect His investment. He will care for us with all of His love and determination.

Romans 8:35-39 - Nothing… Nothing shall separate us from God's great love and purpose. Christ has secured us and keeps us.

II Corinthians 4:15 - A Glorious Providence.

All things are for our good and God's glory! As we noted in Romans chapter eight, God has Included all of His plans for us in the masterplan that He designed concerning Christ. It not only works out for our good, but also for His glory. As we synchronize with God, we start faithfully trusting and praying when challenging things come into our lives. The grace of God and the answers to our prayers result in many people giving thanks to God. He gets the glory. That should be another "good thing" - right! See I Corinthians 6:20; Ephesians 1:12; 3:21; I Peter 2:9).

II Corinthians 4:14 - The power that raised up Jesus Christ is at work in us also! See Romans 8:11; Ephesians 1:19-20.

II Corinthians 4:15 - For our sake God oversees everything that happens in our lives. Our responsibility is to be thankful and give God glory!

II Corinthians 4:16 - We are not simply considering what happens to us. We are more concerned with what happens in us. Outwardly, we are dying, but inwardly we are becoming more like children in our relationship with God (Matthew 18:1-4).

II Corinthians 4:17-18 - Everything is to be evaluated with eternity in view. Earthly events are short-lived. The opportunity to use temporary things to establish eternal things is a precious opportunity. "Only one life, 'twill soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last." See Matthew 6:19-34; Mark 10:29-30; Romans 8:18; Revelation 14:13.

II Corinthians 9:8 - A Gifting Providence.

All of God's grace is sufficient to make us handle all things well. All things work together for our good according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). All things work together to produce thanksgiving and glory to God (II Corinthians 4:15). All things are handled by the grace of God to make us fruitful unto all good works (II Corinthians 9:8). See John 15:1-8,16; Philippians 1:9-11; II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:2-8.

II Corinthians 9:6-7 - Life is an opportunity to sow and reap. Let us learn to sow graciously, generously, and joyfully with our time, material things, and labors.

II Corinthians 9:8 - All grace is available to equip us to do all the will of God.

II Corinthians 9:9-10 - Grace is not just given to us. It is given through us to others (Quotes from Psalm 112:9; Isaiah 55:10; Hosea 10:12 cp. II Corinthians 8:9; Ephesians 3:1-2).

II Corinthians 9:11-14 - Grace filled lives and relationships create an environment of love, servitude, concern, appreciation, prayers, thanksgiving - all of which serves the greater purpose of glorifying God (Romans 15:5-7; Ephesians 6:23-24).

II Corinthians 9:15 - God's indescribable gift is Jesus Christ. The grace of God through our Lord Jesus Christ supplies and sustains all other grace that we receive. See II Corinthians 13:14; Philippians 4:13,19,23; Hebrews 13:20-21; I John 4:7-19.