Today's readings: Matthew 14-16
A Thank-filled Life
Scripture
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5.16-18
Observation
No matter what is going on in our life, we are to be thankful.
Application (How will I be different today because of what I have just read?)
Okay, this is not in the reading for today--but it is what God is working on in me and, it is Thanksgiving week, afterall.
I don't know exactly when it happened, but God pointed out to me recently that I have not had a thankful heart. I haven't been thankful for the good stuff, let alone anything else. And it has shown. My heart has been heavy for some time. My joy hasn't been there. I've been whining. And I think it stems from my lack of thankfulness.
If I choose to live a thankful life--it changes me--from the inside out. I look for reasons to be thankful--not just the obvious ones . . . the air I breathe, having a roof over my head, food to eat, the gift of salvation, people who love me . . . but also those things that are difficult in my life. And in being intentionally thankful (it's the only way I can do it sometimes) it changes me and my outlook on life.
So today, I choose to be thankful--in all circumstances . . . the good, the bad, the ugly. And I can do this because my God is faithful, loving, present, trustworthy, eternal, creator, healer, . . .
Prayer
THANK YOU Father for my life, for all that You have given me and all You have taken away, for all that You have withheld, for all the struggles, for all the questions, for the known and the unknown, for those who love me and those who don't, for Your love--especially as You demonstrated it through Your Son, Jesus the Christ, for family and friends . . . and enemies, for the good times and the hard times----thank You for loving me too much to leave me as I am. May my life reflect an attitude of thankfulness to You!
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