GRATITUDE

Instead of always asking for things in our prayers, remember to say an occasional THANK YOU PRAYER!

This was the advice a mother gave to her son and he asked what he should express thanks for so she told him to;

Thank God for their family, friends, good health, home, opportunities, provisions, and above all for God’s grace, love and mercy that grants us salvation. 

 

In Luke 17:11-19 we read of a time in the life of Jesus when He healed ten lepers and only one returned to express his gratitude. Isn’t this sad? All ten were healed but nine failed to express any gratitude. Is it any different today? Why, are there so many that take God’s blessings for granted? This shouldn’t be acceptable for any of us. Gratitude should be expressed often in our daily lives.  

 

In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 the apostle Paul encourages us to have a thankful attitude. One way to achieve this is to COUNT OUR BLESSINGS! We need to Count our blessings instead of our burdens. We need to Count our friends instead of our foes. We need to Count our gains instead of our losses. We need to Count our joys instead of our woes. We need to Count our smiles instead of our frowns. As the old hymn encourages us; Count your many blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.   

 

LET’S GIVE THANKS! For all the blessings of life; for our daily bread, our health, our homes, and all the good God does for us. LET’S GIVE THANKS! For family and friends, for helpful hands, listening ears, comforting words, and tender hearts. LET’S GIVE THANKS!For the sunshine and the rain. LET’S GIVE THANKS! For God’s grace is always sufficient. 2 Corinthians 12:9    

 

I am grateful for loved ones and friends, for work to do and help to see it through.

I am grateful for God’s living word, for the comfort it brings, and the hope it assures.

I am grateful for faith, hope, and the gift that I am most thankful for is the gift of God’s love.

I am grateful for the joy, peace, strength and victory that I have received from knowing the Lord.

I am grateful to know that Jesus is preparing for me and all who faithfully believe in Him a place in His heavenly Father’s home.

I am grateful for this opportunity to share with you and encourage you to think about all the many things that we should be grateful for.

 

Thanksgiving is meant to be a harvest of the heart after the fruit and grain are stored away. It is intended to be a time for reflecting and remembering all that God has done for us. So after pausing to say a prayer, take a pen and write down some of the things that you are grateful for.