With Thanksgiving

The following passage has meant a great deal to me in the last few days. It has many dimensions to it, but I wanted to share it with you and pray that there will be something meaningful for you in these words.

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:4-7

If you want to read it in a different version, here it is in the Living Bible:

^"Always be full of joy in the Lord; I say it again, rejoice! Let everyone see that you are unselfish and considerate in all you do. Remember that the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank him for his answers. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus."

Which part of the passage speaks to you?

Living in Grace
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Thoughts on Thankfulness

Today we celebrated Thanksgiving Sunday in our Church Community. It was a pleasure and privilege to hear so many encouraging testimonies of Thankfulness. Keeping with this theme, I have included a few lovely quotes. Enjoy your day and remember to be THANKFUL, even if it is for at least one thing.

"In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit." - Albert Schweitzer

"When it comes to life the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude." - Gilbert K. Chesterton

“Rest and be thankful.” - William Wordsworth

1 Thessalonians 5:18 - "Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."

Living in Grace
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Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_thankful.html

Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/albertschw105225.html?src=t_thankful

Overflowing with THANKFULNESS

I have found that THANKFULNESS doesn't always come naturally to us. We seem to allow the troubles of this life to distract us from the incredible blessings we have already received. In doing so we somehow stay focused on the problems we encounter, rather than on the good that is all around us.

I raise my hand to confess that I am guilty of this, far to often. However, I am also uncomfortable with staying in this mindset - I desire to be in a place where I 'overflow with thankfulness.' One of the ways we can foster this kind of spirit, is to consciously list all the things we are thankful for.

It is only when we train our minds and hearts to gaze on the 'Goodness' we have received that our hearts will be filled with THANKFULNESS.

Colossians 2:6-7
"So the, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and OVERFLOWING with thankfulness."

Start filling your cup of thankfulness today and I pray that it may soon overflow.

Living in Grace
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Be the One, not the Nine!

Luke tells a story of how 10 lepers approached Jesus begging to be healed. Jesus had mercy on them and they were all healed. We would assume that all of them were over the moon to be 'clean' again and able to return to their families, yet only one of them bother to say 'Thank You' to Jesus. The 9 men were happy to ask for help, but as soon as they were healed, they forgot all about Jesus.

As I reflect on our society I note that we are very quick to ask for things, and even quicker to complain about people, but we are very slow to say Thank You. Can I urge us to take the initiative and to say thanks to people who have blessed us. I also invite us to offer our thanks to God for all that he has done for us.

Be the One - not the Nine!

Living in Grace
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Luke 17:11-19 - Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee.  As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”
When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.
One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

Berakhot

There is a particular Jewish word that I feel is important for us to know and use in our daily language. It is the word “Berakhot.”  

 In essence, it means offering a blessing for any good thing that we may encounter.

So if we reflect on our lives right now, we could offer ‘Berakhot’ for any number of things. These could include: family, friends, spouse, kids, grandkids, health, a job, church group, a pet, a beautiful day, a rainbow, sunrise, a surprise phone call – the list is endless. 

Despite the many challenges we daily face, I am sure that we can find one thing to thank God for.

May you offer ‘berakhot’ to God today.

Living in Grace

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Thank God

When last did you say, "Thanks Lord!" I am not talking about how many people use the
term in a derogatory way - I mean in a genuine attitude of thanks!

Psalm 136:1 - "Thank God! He deserves your thanks. His love never quits." (MSG)

So, what are able to thank God for today?
I thank God for my family, my friends, my church, my health and all other blessings.
I thank God for the opportunity to do some writing this week.
I thank God for some struggles that make me rely fully on Jesus.

Thank God today!

Living in Grace
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