WANNA FEEL BETTER?

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.

“If you thank me more, you will feel better.”

That is what Darris, one of our worship leaders at my home church AHOP, shared yesterday.  Recent days had been exhausting for him.  His recent “journey” a tough one.  Apathy had even tried to creep in.  But in an “audible” way to Darris, GOD warmly reminded him that gratitude is the first step to refreshment, a change of perspective and a shift in the "status quo".

Ironically, gratitude has been “a theme” of the past few days for me as well.  Darris’ little revelation and testimony was another in a long line of reminders from the week that was.

It started with the “word for the week” I share on Friday's with with a few AHOP folks. It centered around this passage and included this little quote.

Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits. (Psalm 103:2)

Better to lose count while naming your blessings than to lose your blessings to counting your troubles. - Maltbie D. Babcock

Then I heard from one of those folks who after receiving that word, shared that she herself had just finished a 21 day journey focused on gratitude!

The truth is, gratitude does usher us into the presence of GOD and that, without fail, will make us “feel better”. In fact, crazy as it seems that was my post to FACEBOOK yesterday 3 hours before Darris had shared his exhortation.

The moment we become grateful, we actually begin to ascend spiritually into the presence of God. - Francis Frangipane

"Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful singing. . . . Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. For the Lord is good; His loving-kindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations" (Psalm 100:2, 4-5).

So the LORD is sending a CLEAR message!

Thank Him! 

Have you?

Don’t hesitate.

Just remember His benefits:

Forgiveness of our sins, physical energy, spiritual stamina, relational fulfillment, vocational purpose, the opportunity to serve and a free country are just a few. And never forget that the benefit package for followers of Jesus is ridiculously generous: abundant life, eternal life, a fruitful life and a meaningful life. Not to mention love, joy, peace, hope, humility and thankfulness!

Without question things to be thankful for, amen?

And those reminders will ENERGIZE.

So, let me ask you.

Wanna feel better? 

You now know how to start!

I love you all.

FREEDOM CHURCH