The Power of a Thankful Heart

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the

will of God in Christ Jesus for you.                             1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

It’s amazing to me how quickly we are to complain.  From the weather to rising food and gas prices, long bank lines and slow internet systems, it seems fashionable to express our displeasure.  And the idiosyncrasies of people are frequently points of irritation stimulating much conversation about the imperfections of others.   It’s as if we’re somehow elevated in stature because there was something or someone who did not meet our standard. And because these expressions of displeasure are so prevalent in our society today, the opportunities to discover more and more dissatisfaction run rampant.  So the complaints flow….on and on.    

If Matthew 12:34 is true, 'For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks', what does all of this complaining say about our heart condition.  Psalms 107: 8, 15, 21 and 31 all say the same thing,

            Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His

wonderful works to the children of men!    

                            

Could this wave of discontent be a trick and a trap from the Prince of the Power of the Air, the Adversary, drawing our attention away from the goodness of God?  Are we blinded by circumstances, completely forgetting God’s ability to transcend circumstance?  Are we forgetting that His ways are not our ways.  When we complain about not having our way, we are in essence complaining about His way.

Even in the midst of the challenges and difficulties of life, there’s no room for complaint.  Scripture states,

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.    James 1:2-3

and,

…..we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.      Romans 5:3-4

What makes God so good is that He takes the trials and challenges of our life and turns everything around for our good.  Only our God can amazingly turn something difficult into something wonderful!  When you see goodness in the midst of a hard situation, you see Him!

This Thanksgiving season I’m reminded of a song we sang often.  The lyrics are -

            Give thanks, with a grateful heart, Give thanks unto the holy One

            Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son!

*Repeat*

Now let the weak say I am strong

Let the poor say I am rich

Because of what the Lord has done for us

            *Repeat*

Give thanks!

A thankful heart binds you to a great God!  When you are rightly connected to Him the cares of this life pale in comparison.

I pray your Thanksgiving celebration is full of joy and thankfulness.  May this season refresh and strengthen you to walk boldly and gratefully in God’s goodness!  And never forget,

Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." Mark 9:23 and ,

But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible."  Mark 10:27

We have much to be thankful for.

Be blessed!

Are you standing on the firm foundation of Christ Jesus?

On Christ the Solid Rock, I stand.  All other ground in sinking sand………

Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend

 earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.  Jude 1:3

Jude’s passion and concern for the welfare of the church prevented him from writing of the joys and benefits of the common salvation he shared with those to whom he was writing.  Instead he wrote with deep concern, exhorting his readers to follow Jesus and Him alone.

Others, you see, had entered the church perverting the gospel and were leading many astray. Jude issued the following plea,

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.            Jude 1:20-21

The challenges addressed by Jude still exist in the church today.  Scripture clearly indicates that scoffers who follow their own ungodly desires will enter the church, cause divisions and lead others astray.  But just as the problem remains, so does the solution.  As believers, we have the responsibility to ‘build ourselves up’ on the firm foundation of Christ Jesus.  We are to live Spirit-filled lives, following the disciplines of Jesus with discipleship as the pathway.  Humble submission is the Lord’s way.  A life of serving others is the Lord’s way.  Constant communion with the Father is the Lord’s way.  Love for the fellowship is the Lord’s way. 

Does your walk resemble His?

Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.   Psalms 139:23-24

Is it your deepest heart’s desire to be filled with His Spirit?

Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Psalm 51:11

Are you a ‘hearer and a doer’ of the Word? 

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.  James 1:22

I believe these are the questions we must ask ourselves daily, always striving to live as He commands.  Between our own sinful natures, the cares of this world and the adversary of our souls, there’s much to lead us astray.  And there are those who would either intentionally or unintentionally try to have us follow their agenda and not Jesus’.  But Christ is greater than all these diversions combined. And He is able to keep and sustain us, in the midst thereof.  He is ever faithful to do His part.  And we must fulfill ours…..standing on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ!

Be blessed.