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We should always be quick to thank God for our many blessings. There are
many moments in life when we are quick to murmur and complain to the Lord
about all the things that are going wrong in our life, but when things are
going well, we sometimes forget to give thanks to the Lord and show our
gratefulness for His sustenance. The Bible talks in length about being
grateful and having a thankful heart. The Bible declares in Psalm 9:1-2
“I will praise Thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all Thy
marvellous works. I will be glad and rejoice in Thee: I will sing praise
to Thy name.” David says he will praise God for all the great things He
has done for him and he would proclaim to others as well what God has done
for him. It is this type of praise that pleases the Lord. (Psalm 34:1-8)
The Bible says God is touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but He
is also blessed when we take time to show our thankfulness for meeting our
needs. We shouldn't only come to God with our complaints, but rather we
should also be quick to come to God to say Thank You for delivering us.
Be encouraged to think more on what you are saying to the Lord. Are you
praising Him and showing your thankfulness on a daily basis? Remember, He
has given you life and breath and deserves much more than we could ever
offer. Still, the Lord is happy when we recognize our shortfalls and give
thanks for His deliverance. (1 Thessalonians 5:18) (Hebrews 4:15-16) (Job 33:4)
I hope this message encourages and challenges your heart to make giving
thanks a daily part of your life.
WHO'LL SAY GRACE?
A hot, glistening bird commands the laden table, as grandma calls everyone
to dinner. Eight-year-old Jennifer proudly lugs her July-born sister to
the table. Grandpa and dad get up slowly with a long backward glance to
see the tight end catch a pass and be forced out of bounds at the twenty.
The game continues in the background without them.
“Who'll say grace?” grandma asks. Grown-ups look awkwardly at each other
in strained silence. Finally Uncle John snickers and parrots the word
“grace,” and laughter spills over the tension. Grandma steps in.
“Jennifer, why don't you say the prayer you learned in Sunday School when
you were in kindergarten.” She recites. The feast begins.
Embarrassed silence replaces thanksgiving, gluttony displaces
gratefulness. Thanksgiving--an expression of gratitude to God for benefits
received--is too often absent from our hollow holiday. There is, however,
an ancient custom which can reclaim the day.
We read, Jesus “took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given
thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples.” At the Last Supper
Jesus took bread and gave thanks, lifted the cup, gave thanks and offered
it to His followers. Jesus always prayed before meals.
We can, too. A simple prayer of thanks at each family meal of the year
will gradually restore thankfulness to us. As our children see us humble
ourselves to thank our Creator, they too learn to be grateful. Robert
Lintner said it well: “Thanksgiving was never meant to be shut up in a
single day.”
This habit of family thankfulness can begin 'round our tables this
Thanksgiving--the first of many prayers of thanks to be offered, not just
by Jennifer, but by her thankful mother and father as well.
By Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Psalm 34:1-4 “I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall
continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the
humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and
let us exalt His name together. I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and
delivered me from all my fears.”
Psalm 147:3-7 “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
He telleth the number of the stars; He calleth them all by their names.
Great is our Lord, and of great power: His understanding is infinite. The
LORD lifteth up the meek: He casteth the wicked down to the ground. Sing
unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God.”
1 Chronicles 16:8-13 “Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon His name, make
known His deeds among the people. Sing unto Him, sing psalms unto Him,
talk ye of all His wondrous works. Glory ye in His Holy Name: let the
heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. Seek the LORD and His strength,
seek His face continually. Remember His marvellous works that He hath
done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth; O ye seed of Israel His
servant, ye children of Jacob, His chosen ones.”
Psalm 111:1-5 “Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole
heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. The works
of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
His work is honourable and glorious: and His righteousness endureth for
ever. He hath made His wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is
gracious and full of compassion. He hath given meat unto them that fear
Him: He will ever be mindful of His covenant.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today's Selected Poem: GOD IS ALREADY THERE
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem107.htm
Today's Selected Testimony: GOD'S FAITHFULNESS
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony190.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
