We generally think of something we give. We give thanks. We show gratitude. But equally important, and a God-designed purpose is that we receive gratitude and love from those around us, which encourages us, drives out fear from our lives, and gives us a stronger outlook and well-being.

We experience joy on multiple levels. There is the joy of the Lord, which is our strength. There is the joy we experience due to the goodness of God, either in tangible, visible ways, or simply by the very nature of God's goodness around us. As we lean on and rely on the Holy Spirit, the fruit of joy grows in us. And sometime we experience the presence of God tangibly that inspires and encourages joy in us. What does it mean and what does it look like to live a joy-filled life, both personally and corporately?

Celebration isn't something we're meant to do alone. We are made to celebrate together, in community. The body of Christ celebrating God's goodness and all he has done for us, in us and through us, while learning to enjoy and celebrate the life he has given us.

In a new series focused on the Discipline of Celebration, we are taking a look at what it means to live a life of giving thanks. The Bible is full of encouragement to give thanks the Lord, to live with gratitude, and to not forget what the Lord has done. Even in Jesus invitation to communion, he says it is about remembering him, remembering what he has done, who he is, and his sacrifice. When we give thanks to God we redirect our attention to Him, off of ourselves, off of our problems, off of our concerns, and toward His plan, His purpose, and His presence.