GRATEFULNESS' GAIN

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)

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

“The very quality of your life, whether you love it or hate it, is based upon how thankful you are toward God. It is one's attitude that determines whether life unfolds into a place of blessedness or wretchedness. Indeed, looking at the same rose bush, some people complain that the roses have thorns while others rejoice that some thorns come with roses. It all depends on your perspective.

This is the only life you will have before you enter eternity. If you want to find joy, you must first find thankfulness. Indeed, the one who is thankful for even a little enjoys much. But the unappreciative soul is always miserable, always complaining. He lives outside the shelter of the Most High God. – Francis Frangipane

If you are “Facebook” person, then you have been seeing some folks posting their daily “thankfulness” to celebrate November and the pending Thanksgiving. 

I find that a great exercise.

The Lord does to.

…in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you…

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NASB)

That is also why I like Frangipane’s encouragement for us today.

Our QUALITY of life is tied to our THANKFULNESS!

Our perspective for the pending day or our circumstances is tied to our thankfulness!

Ask yourself, which side of that ROSE/THORN equation do you fall?

Is your glass trending toward half-full today or are you already starting to feel siphoned toward half-emptiness?

If you are the latter or if your view is a little more thorny than rosy, then take a step back and find something to be thankful for. 

There is always something.

The lights on?  Be thankful.

Cereal in the bowl? Be thankful.

Got a way from A to B today? Be thankful.

Frangipane makes it clear.  Want joy, start with thankfulness!

And don’t be afraid to start small.  In fact, that is often the best place to start to get a little momentum rolling.

But most importantly Frangipane reminds us today that to spend our time complaining, to allow ourselves to be filled with ungratefulness only serves to create a divide between GOD and us.  GOD will never separate Himself from us, but often when we are ungrateful, we separate ourselves from Him.

So, remedy that first thing!

Do all things without grumbling or questioning…

Philippians 2:14 (ESV)

Know and fully recognize with gratitude that the Lord Himself is God;

It is He who has made us, not we ourselves [and we are His].

We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with a song of thanksgiving

And His courts with praise.

Be thankful to Him, bless and praise His name.

Psalm 100:3-4 (AMP)

“You simply will not be the same person two months from now after consciously giving thanks each day for the abundance that exists in your life. And you will have set in motion an ancient spiritual law: the more you have and are grateful for, the more will be given you” ~ Sarah Ban Breathnack

Have a thank-filled day!

I love you all…

OPPORTUNITIES for HOPE