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1167th -- Message On Being Grateful

  

Those of us who are lucky enough to live in the modern day world are so 
very spoiled. We have more than we need or deserve, but our perspective 
is so limited that if a simple problem comes our way, we are quick to 
forget of our great abundance and we hurriedly murmur and complain about 
that negative situation. When we are quick to complain about the simple 
things that really have no importance or relevance to our life, we are 
showing the Lord by our actions that we don't appreciate all that He has 
graciously given to us. When we complain, we say to God “I don't believe 
that You have my best interest in mind.” When we complain, we hinder God's
blessings from overtaking our life. The Lord doesn't reward disobedience, 
He doesn't promote those who aren't faithful, but rather He seeks after 
those who remember His goodness, who proclaim His favor, who are quick to 
give thanks and praise for all that He has given to them.
(Philippians 2:14-15) (Malachi 3:13-16-17)

I have found that whatever state I am in, being thankful helps to keep me 
encouraged. If I find myself in a tough situation, I think of the person 
who has it harder than me. If I come across a discouraging situation, I 
give thanks to God that He is still with me and that all will be well in 
the end. My confession is always one of praise, thanksgiving, optimism 
and hope. I never look at the darkness and complain about how dark it 
is. I choose to believe that the darkest of nights are followed by the 
most glorious and light filled days. I always see my glass as half full 
and never half empty. What I have realized is that being an optimist is a 
lifestyle choice. One can't be a constant complainer and be an optimist 
at the same time. You are either one or the other, but you can't be both.

So why should we always look on the bright side? Why should we choose to 
be thankful instead of complaining about the trial that is in our path? 
The answer is simple. It is to your benefit to choose to focus on the 
good in your life even when there is bad in it. Looking at the darkness 
and then complaining about how dark it is does not help your situation, it 
does not improve your mindset, it does not alleviate any stress that you 
might have, but if you look at the darkness and say “Lord I trust that You 
will light my path and that all things will work together for my good.” 
When you say “I trust that You will never leave me nor forsake me and that 
I will become better, wiser and stronger after the trial”, you will be 
blessing your future by showing your faith and confidence in the Lord's 
ability to deliver you. (Romans 8:28) (James 1:2-4)

A quote I think of often says “I heard of a man who complained about not 
having any shoes, until he met a man who had no feet.” When tough times 
come our way, let us think of those who aren't as fortunate as we are, and 
in a matter of seconds we will begin to be thankful for the tiny cross 
that we carry that seemed so large beforehand. We must realize that we 
are blessed beyond our comprehension and God has given us much more than 
we deserve. We must be grateful for our life and let God know that we are 
thankful for His blessings. The Lord Jesus talked about gratitude when He 
healed the 10 lepers and only one came back to glorify God and show his 
thankfulness. He healed 10, but only one showed his thankfulness. Let us 
not be like those nine who quickly forgot God's goodness, but let us be 
like that exceptional one who will be quick to remember God's goodness and 
God's faithfulness. Let us continually give thanks for His grace, mercy 
and love that is beyond our comprehension. (Luke 17:11-19)

Let this message be a simple reminder for you to put away all murmuring 
and complaining and let us think of how much we have to be thankful for. 
Let us remember our family, our children, our spouse, our friends, our 
health, our jobs and anything else that you can think of to give thanks 
for. It may be the simplest of things, but if we give thanks for it, God 
will be well pleased because we recognized our abundance and we showed our 
appreciation for the blessings that God has bestowed upon our life.
(1 Corinthians 10:10-12)

I encourage you again to be a believer, be a praiser, be filled with 
encouragement and hope and have the deep and assured knowing that nothing 
can come your way without God already knowing about it and making provision
for it. (Isaiah 26:3-4)


Read and meditate on these scriptures:

Joshua 1:9 “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be 
not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee 
whithersoever thou goest.”

Psalm 28:6-8 “Blessed be the LORD, because He hath heard the voice of my 
supplications. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in 
Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my 
song will I praise Him. The LORD is their strength, and He is the saving 
strength of His anointed.”

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: AFTER THE RAIN
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem84.htm

Today's Selected Testimony: RESCUED FROM DEPRESSION
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony37.htm


In Christ’s Service,

Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry

 
 

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