GRATITUDE!

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.

Now that November has rolled in, I have been seeing folks posting their “gratitudes” on FACEBOOK. That is refreshing.

It is important to maintain a true sense of gratitude at all times. We live in a “grumbly” time; a time where gratitude is washed over by things like greediness and entitlement. Yet we are called to be a grateful group!

And here is why…

Gratitude keeps comparisons at bay and we all know where “comparisons and comparing” can lead; to jealousy, envy, covetousness and the like.

Gratitude helps us to maintain humility and a genuine appreciation for life. Gratitude helps us to enjoy and appreciate the things we "do have" rather than constantly straining to achieve or receive what we don’t.

GOD wants a SPIRIT of GRATITUDE to flow through us and to radiate from us. Why else would He COMMAND us to be thankful no matter what?

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

…thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.

There is no better time than first thing in the morning to THANK GOD; to express gratitude. It sets our mind in the right frame for the day ahead. It points our perspective to the positive! It puts us on a path of humility and gratitude and that is JUST THE WAY CHRIST encouraged us to live.

The Lord encourages us to exercise gratitude because He knows the spirit is lifted and courage strengthened when we focus on His work in our life. And as we watch Him intervene, we rejoice more, pray harder, and learn to give thanks in everything.

So let me leave you with some encouraging verses to post around the house, the office or the car as we wade into this “season of harvest and gratitude”. Don't settle for just reading them, commit them to heart and activity! You will be blessed!

Ephesians 5:20

…thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Psalm 106:1

Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

Psalm 100:4

Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!

Psalm 107:1

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

Hebrews 12:28

So let us be thankful, because we have a kingdom that cannot be shaken…

I love you all!

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney