Give thanks with a grateful heart~ In His Word 11-24-2024
I give you thanks, O Lord, with all my heart; I will sing
your praises before the gods. I bow before your holy Temple as I worship. I
praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness; for your promises
are backed by all the honor of your name. As soon as I pray, you answer me; you
encourage me by giving me strength. Psalm 138:1-3
This reminds me a so many songs. When you celebrate
Thanksgiving do you sing worship songs? I don’t either but I was thinking that this
year I may change things up!
Now usually I say to read the rest of the chapter, but that
is the whole chapter of Psalm 138!
Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for
this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. Do not stifle the Holy
Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 5:17-19
This one would be good to read ahead on. It is very good and
encouraging to our walk this week.
Sometimes people gather together for holidays, and it is anything but good.
There are times when we get upset at one another about how things were cooked,
or who made what. This usually is because there are underlying problems in our
families or friendships. The Thessalonians scripture here has a solution to
this! Keep praying, for yourself and other’s attitudes. In fact, if you have a
person in your family that rubs you the wrong way start praying for them today!
Ask God to help you to see things from their point of view and to have compassion
on them. Allow the Holy Spirit to work
through you in their lives, don’t hold back just because its family! Share the
love of God with everyone, and then be sure you are living and walking in His
steps. Remember He is there with you!
Then thank God for whatever circumstances you are in this
week. Rich or poor, strong or weak, Jesus is listening for you prayer.
Surely you remember that I was sick when I first brought you
the Good News. But even though my condition tempted you to reject me, you did
not despise me or turn me away. No, you took me in and cared for me as though I
were an angel from God or even Christ Jesus himself. Where is that joyful and grateful spirit you
felt then? I am sure you would have taken out your own eyes and given them to
me if it had been possible. Have I now become your enemy because I am telling
you the truth? Galatians 4:13-16
Try not to be judgmental and pouty if you don’t get your
way. Even Jonah found a reason to be grateful when God grew a tree to make
shade after he spoke with Nineveh, check out the scripture in Jonah 4:6.
Then finally to keep your mind on the right things, look up
the whole chapter of 1 Chronicles 16 and see how many times it tells you to
give thanks to the Lord!
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love
endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:4-8
The more you think of reasons to give God thanks the easier
it is to be full of the Holy Spirit and spread the joy and kindness He wants us
to!
So if you start to feel down begin silently thanking God for
each person in the room, or outload if
you think it will help the situation!