Thankfulness

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Phil. 4:6-7

I love this passage for the promises and comfort found within -- confidence as we pray and peace as we wait. In everything (there is no issue too big or too small for the Lord) we bring our requests to the Lord with thanksgiving.

Being thankful is powerful. Thankfulness fuels faith. Grumbling and whining have the opposite effect. Thankfulness adjusts our perspective, particularly when we are going through a rough time. Thankfulness keeps the enemy from getting a foothold and running us down with doubt and depression and fear.

We have so much to be thankful for. If Jesus had done nothing more than die for us and made a way for us to have eternal life we have eternity to be eternally and fully grateful but we have so many other things to be thankful for too. He's given us His presence, His Word, His body, His love, His care and provision. We can pray in faith and see answered prayer. We can lay hands on the sick and see them recover. He transforms us and never lets us go. We can live a life, filled with His joy and peace, participating in His plans and purposes. We can be instruments of His glory and honor.

Be thankful today. All things work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes! Take some time to count your blessings today. God is so good!

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. (Psalm 107:1)

The Goodness of God

As I write this I can look out my window and see the incredibly gorgeous leaves of our big Elm (at least that's what I've been told) that overlooks the side of our property. The cellphone picture doesn't do it justice. The leaves turn to a pretty spectacular golden color in the fall. Nature has always been a reminder to me of the wonder and awe of the mighty God that we serve. Whether standing on the seashore and looking out over the ocean or admiring the foliage in the fall or looking at the stars on a dark clear night creation has spoken to my heart since I was young. The heavens truly do declare the glory of God (Psalm 19:1).

Don't forget to thank the Lord for His goodness to you today. It is so easy to get caught up in the stress and worry of life and forget what really matters.

Jesus said that we are to seek first the Kingdom of God. Life, stress, busyness and our very real enemy conspire to reorder our priorities -- to get them out of line with what God has for us.

Make some time for the Lord. You'll be glad you did.