Bible Ballistics: BBs #600     A Month Of Gratitude???

 

While I probably won’t post every day this month, I would like to spend this month directing our hearts to consider gratitude; for after all, “Thanksgiving” isn’t just a day—it’s an attitude of the heart.  I believe we can all benefit from frequent reminders to have grateful hearts, and with God’s help (always!!!) we’ll pursue a true “attitude of gratitude”!  You are welcome (as you always are) to respond to the emails, Facebook posts, or to comment on the website—I am blessed by your interactions.

Let’s begin November with a few scriptures to rehearse the import of gratitude/thankfulness!  As I’ve mentioned before, while we can’t always control our circumstances, we CAN control our responses and our attitude (not easy but it IS doable by the grace and strength of our precious Lord and His Holy Spirit dwelling within born-again believers!)!  I’d like to begin our journey this month with a passage from Paul’s letter to the Colossians, as it so clearly paints a picture of the who-what-when-where-why-and how, of a true ‘attitude of gratitude’!  We each decide whether we want to be “Humbly grateful—or—Grumbly Hateful”!  And as I’ve often heard it said, “It’s your choice.  But choose wisely, there is a test!”

“Put on therefore,

as the elect of God,

holy and beloved,

bowels of mercies,

kindness,

humbleness of mind,

meekness,

longsuffering;

13 Forbearing one another,

and forgiving one another,

if any man have a quarrel against any:

even as Christ forgave you,

so also do ye.

14 And above all these things

put on charity,

which is the bond of perfectness.

15 And let the peace of God

rule in your hearts,

to the which also ye are called

in one body;

and be ye thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ

dwell in you richly

in all wisdom;

teaching

and admonishing

one another

in psalms

and hymns

and spiritual songs,

singing

with grace in your hearts

to the Lord.

17 And whatsoever ye do

in word

or deed,

do all

in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks

to God and the Father

by him.”  Colossians 3:12-17

Whoa!  What a picture:

We are the—elect of God—

–holy and beloved–

So, we ought to be—merciful, kind, humble, meek,

patient (with people and circumstances)

 forgiving, exhibiting perfect love

 and the peace of God!

Enabled by—pursuing and yielding to the Word of Christ—

Only and Always—doing “all” in, for, and through Jesus—

Ever Giving Thanks to The Father “by Him”!

Always remembering to look ‘UP’, so as to not be distracted by looking ‘around’!

“Giving thanks

always

for all things

unto God and the Father

in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;” Ephesians 5:20

When we belong to Jesus, we can truly be thankful in, for and through all things; if for no other reason than that we know our God Reigns in all!

“Every good gift

and every perfect gift

is from above,

and cometh down

from the Father of lights,

with whom is no variableness,

neither shadow of turning.”   James 1:17

And while we may not always understand our circumstances, or our trials and troubles, we can trust our God with all things, for HE does know what He is doing in our lives.  I’d simply like to end this post with one of my favorite passages, I pray it will encourage your heart and boost your “thankfulness” quotient!

“Trust in the LORD

with all thine heart;

and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways

acknowledge him,

and he shall direct thy paths.”  Proverbs 3:5-6

Thank YOU, Lord!   Amen and Amen!!!