One of the most important passages in the New Testament is Jesus' teaching on the Vine and branches in John 15:1-8. How do we, Christ's branches, stay close to Him, our Vine? There is no surer or more direct way to maintain vital connection to our Vine than by simply giving Him thanks – in the morning, through the day, and when we lay down to sleep. The result? A dynamic prayer life: "If you abide in [remain in close touch with] me, and my words [including the biblical call to 'give thanks'] abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you" (v. 7). Such fruitfulness in prayer glorifies God: "In this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit" (v. 8). So, give thanks! Pray dynamically! Bear much fruit. Bring God much glory!

If God asked you to do something easy to radically improve your Christian walk, wouldn't you do it? That's just what He does in challenging us to "in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Nothing is easier than yielding your heart and opening your lips, and saying, "Thank you, Jesus!" Jesus told us His yoke is "easy." Don't be like proud Naaman, who wanted the prophet to tell him something hard to do to receive his healing. Listen to Naaman's servants – and Jesus! – and start forming the habit of giving thanks. Every day. Every moment. In every situation. From your heart. It will enable you to "draw near to God" at any moment of the day or night. And you will never be the same . . .

Christian, do you know you can deeply please God today, right now, just where you are? How? Simply by giving Him thanks from your heart – irrespective of your circumstances. In Psalm 69:30-30, David revealed this great secret that was a part of His daily life and God wants to be part of ours. "I will praise the name of God with a song, and magnify him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs." And when deeply pleased, God is more inclined to readily release His delivering power for us and those for whom we pray. So, today, right now, just where you are, in the midst of blessing or chaos, start giving the "sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our [your] lips giving thanks to His name" (Hebrews 13:15).

Psalm 69:30-32 reveals God is deeply pleased when we remember to show our gratitude toward Him by giving Him thanks. Should this surprise us? Aren't we blessed when others remember to thank us for favors, labor, and kindnesses we have given them? And when pleased, God is more inclined to show His gratitude in many ways including delivering us from troublesome or threatening situations, as He did Judah's King Jehoshaphat long ago.

Greg explores further the most vital subject of thanksgiving. This message explains how thanksgiving sets us apart from unthankful people - and Christians! - and fits us for deeper fellowship with God and more fruitfulness in his service. When Jesus healed ten lepers, only one returned to give Him thanks - and he wasn't even a child of God! Are you, am I, learning to give God thanks "in everything," as Paul teaches, and especially, as this example teaches, when we receive special blessings from God?

One of the secrets to the apostle Paul's amazing overcoming life was the simple yet powerful instructions he gave us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18: "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." Or, "In every situation you meet – good, bad, and in between – give God thanks." Why? "'This' thanksgiving, and 'this' situation are part of His master plan for you as His child in Christ Jesus, sent to in some way do 'good' (Romans 8:28), in you, for you, or through you. Or all of the above. If you will just remain yielded, trusting, and obedient. Obey Paul's command and you will build his character, the very character of Christ, in your life. Disobey, and it's impossible to build his character. Ponder this and choose wisely.

We believe Paul's teaching on salvation, typology, the church, and the end times, as we should. But we should pay even more attention to Paul's practical theology – his plain commands for everyday Christian living that sprang from his own experience. One of the hidden gems in Paul's treasure chest of practical theology is 1 Thessalonians 5:18. When we learn to "give thanks" to God in "everything," we are on our way to spiritual maturity, Christlike humility, Davidic living, strong faith, and a vibrant, spiritually successful prayer life. This is not a message for one season but for all seasons. Listen, learn, obey, and overcome – exactly as Paul did in his amazingly victorious life – giving thanks to God, all day, every day, good days, bad days, the rest of your days!

Greg continues discussing Christianity in India with three deeply committed Indian ministers. This interview – which discusses Hindu soteriology, India's holy rivers, its caste system, and the miraculous conversion experience of a deathly ill, ultra-devout young Hindu woman – was not taped in a sound studio but in an open-air setting in India, complete with traffic noise, monkeys jumping loudly on metal roofs, and live roosters "amening" the conversation in their own distinctive way! Greg hopes this series will prompt American Christians to prayerfully consider getting involved in God's work in what is currently the most populous nation on earth. Christ is coming very soon and if we are to help our needy brothers and sisters in India, now is the time.