IN ALL THINGS

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

^1-3The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

Many of you who are from my neck of the woods know a character named “BIG HUG”. Now the best way to give you a visual of “BIG HUG” is to tell you to GOOGLE the grandpa from DUCK DYNASTY and pretend he has another brother or do a quick image search of the fellas from ZZ-TOP and pretend they had a non-guitar playing sibling who never made it to MTV.

So go ahead. GOOGLE away.

Now that you have a picture of the “HUGSTER”, we can proceed.

Truth told, “BIG HUG” comes from the tough side of the tracks. Growing up was no picnic. He was a tough hombre’ to say the least. He spent a little time in the “security”business at some of Dayton’s roughest and rowdiest establishments. Before “BIG HUG” became “BIG HUG” he could have easily been tagged as “THE BIG HURT” because he dispensed his share of it and experienced a lot of it.

But fast forward to HUG these days and the picture sure doesn’t fit the heart. HUG loves GOD deeply and cares for others whole-heartedly. He is quick with an embrace and even quicker with a Word from the Lord.

And it was a Word from the Lord that had HUG intrigued recently. “HUG”was a little vexed by the message of a couple of little verses.

Ephesians 5:20

And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

...give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

HUG like many of us I believe, had a little “problem” with these passages. “GIVE THANKS for everything?” “Give thanks in all circumstances”? What if the circumstances are crummy? We are to give thanks for “everything”, even when folks upend or disappoint us unexpectedly? Give thanks when we are lied to and for situations that caused trouble and pain?

Like for HUG, those verses present quite the quandary for all us I would wager.

But GOD makes it perfectly clear. GIVE THANKS ALWAYS; IN EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE and SITUATION.

That is a tough order isn’t it? Not just for my HUGADELIC buddy, but for all of us.

But there is a reason. With GOD there is always a clear cut answer and reason. And in the eloquent and insightful words of one of my favorites, Charles Stanley here is why we should take these verses to heart and put them into daily action.

Gratitude keeps us aware of God’s presence, which builds our trust and ultimately strengthens our witness.

We must realize that thankfulness is not based on emotions or a situation’s outcome. We can be grateful, even during trials, because the Lord has promised to work everything for our good (Romans 8:28). That means He has a purpose for every experience, pleasant or difficult. A big problem stacked against our small resources sends us running to Him, thankful He has committed to work it to our benefit.

The believer’s part is to trust God will bring good from trials and to discover His plan, which gives further reason for thanking Him. Understanding His intentions renews our strength for facing difficult trials. Expressing gratefulness changes our attitude about God, ourselves, and our situations. Most people allow hurt and stress to form a pessimistic mindset, which negatively impacts every facet of their life. But believers have God’s Spirit working within to provide courage and a flow of thanksgiving.

When we demonstrate thankfulness in harsh circumstances, other people pay attention. Our coworkers, family, and friends will want for themselves the peace and energy we derive from a grateful relationship with the Lord. So whatever you experience today, go ahead and defy logic — praise God.

So be thankful in all and through all things!

Therefore let’s join HUG in his quest today and resolve to be thankful in ALL THINGS believing that as we do we will draw closer and closer to GOD and drive positive change for those around us!

Have a blessed day!

I love you all!

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney