Category Archives: Gratitude Is Timeless

Gratitude Isn’t Seasonal!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #512

30 Friday Nov 2018

Posted by in 'Tis The Season?, Gratitude, Gratitude Is Timeless, Thanksgiving

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #512  Gratitude Isn’t Seasonal!!!

 

As we leave this month of November and the “Thanksgiving” season, let us remember that our “Attitude of Gratitude” isn’t a seasonal practice. We are called to be grateful and thankful in all our ways as the children of God. We have so much to be thankful for! While I know the times are busy, I would encourage each of us to take some time as we leave this month behind to ‘make’ time (for you’ll never “find” it!) to make a list that will, as the song says, “Count Your Blessings”! It’s so easy to get caught up in the ‘busy’ness of life and forget The One who has blessed us in every way:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who hath blessed us

with all spiritual blessings

in heavenly places

in Christ:

4 According as he hath chosen us

in him

before the foundation of the world,

that we should be holy

and without blame

before him

in love:” Ephesians 1:3-4

As God ever blesses us from His heavenly throne—may we reflect His blessings and His glory in all we do, with our “attitude of gratitude”! The choice is always ours—as a modern proverb says so aptly: “Are you humbly grateful, or grumbly hateful”! We are generally one or the other. So in closing, a “Word” of encouragement from Paul on living out what God has put “IN” us—the Spirit of Christ Jesus!

“See that none render evil for evil

unto any man;

but ever follow

that which is good,

both among yourselves,

and to all men.

16 Rejoice evermore.

17 Pray without ceasing.

18 In every thing give thanks:

for this is the will of God

in Christ Jesus concerning you.

19 Quench not the Spirit.

20 Despise not prophesyings.

21 Prove all things;

hold fast that which is good.

22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

23 And the very God of peace

sanctify you wholly;

and I pray God

your whole spirit

and soul

and body

be preserved blameless

unto the coming

of our Lord Jesus Christ.

24 Faithful is he that calleth you,

who also will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:15-24

And praise God, HE “will do it”, if we will but yield our heart and mind to Him in all our ways! We can make a difference –we can spread that gratitude around! Just because November has come to an end, let’s be sure that we don’t let our grateful spirit do the same! Gratitude is contagious—let’s not succumb to the spirit of greed all around us. ‘Thank YOU Lord’ is always appropriate!

“In every thing give thanks:

for this is the will of God

in Christ Jesus concerning you”

Amen and Amen!

Did You Say Thank YOU??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #504

31 Wednesday Oct 2018

Posted by in Encouragement, Faith, Gratitude, Gratitude Is Timeless, Great is Thy Faithfulness

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #504 Did You Say Thank YOU???

 

I have had some situations of late that have allowed me to praise and thank GOD for His abundant care and mercy!!! I try to maintain an “attitude of gratitude” but sometimes we just get distracted and forget to say “Thank YOU Lord!” Whether it’s answered prayer, a special blessing you weren’t expecting, a close call for harm, or any other circumstance—we can always thank our precious Lord Jesus and our Heavenly Father God, for “Thank YOU” is always a reminder to humble ourselves with gratitude (and there’s not much as intolerable as an attitude of “ingratitude”)!

One of my favorite passages is found in Lamentations, first because I love the writings of Jeremiah; not because they’re always easy to read, but because he was a man with a single, God-given, “unpopular”, and often rejected message—but he faithfully delivered it with a broken heart for the judgment that was surely coming on his people and his beloved city of Jerusalem. Yet after the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians, he gave us one of the greatest writings on grief and sorrow in all of scripture, with one of the greatest reminders in scripture, of the source of our hope! All written from the broken heart of an obedient servant (Always a reminder that when we are called to preach/teach the hard things of God, we are to be humble and broken rather than puffy, self-righteous or arrogant.)

I would simply like to share Jeremiah’s wondrous words with you this morning. Perhaps you need a reminder to ‘say thank you’, or maybe you’ve been questioning why you should be thankful, or perhaps you’re just weeping from a broken heart or loss. I pray that this portion of God’s Word will encourage you, and bless you today!

“Remembering mine affliction

and my misery,

the wormwood and the gall.

20 My soul hath them still in remembrance,

and is humbled in me.

21 This I recall to my mind,

therefore have I hope.

22 It is of the LORD’S mercies

that we are not consumed,

because his compassions fail not.

23 They are new every morning:

great is thy faithfulness.

24 The LORD is my portion,

saith my soul;

therefore will I hope in him.

25 The LORD is good unto them

that wait for him,

to the soul

that seeketh him.

26 It is good

that a man should both hope

and quietly wait

for the salvation of the LORD.”    Lamentations 3:19-26

As the great old hymn says, “Great IS THY Faithfulness” (written by Thomas Chisholm)! Thank YOU Lord for Your faithfulness, for because YOU are faithful we can say:

“Let your conversation be without covetousness;

and be content

with such things as ye have:

for he hath said,

I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

6 So that we may boldly say,

The Lord is my helper, and

I will not fear

what man shall do unto me.” Heb. 13:5-6

Amen and Amen!!!

In Everything Give Thanks??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #463

25 Friday May 2018

Posted by in Attitude of Gratitude, Confidence, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Gratitude, Gratitude Is Timeless

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #463   In Everything Give Thanks???

 

“In every thing

give thanks:

for this is the will of God

in Christ Jesus

concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

We have been talking about God’s faithful care of and provision for us, so I thought we’d spend some time today considering whether our ‘attitude of gratitude’ needs some adjustment. So often we call on God to come to our aid, and that is what He has told us to do, but when He meets that need, do we remember to stop and thank HIM?

My mother taught us to say “please and thank you” as simple courtesy to others we interact with, yet we so often forget to be thankful toward God for all of HIS abundant blessings, which HE pours out on us continually! Often times those blessings aren’t even recognized as HIS blessings in our lives. As I sit here this morning, I can’t help but smile and say ‘Thank You Lord’ for the beauty of your awesome creation—as I watch the sun rise in the sky, as I see the lovely flowers that God has painted so beautifully for our pleasure, for a home that keeps us warm or cool from the elements, and the list could go on.

So I simply want to share some scriptures to help us tune up our “attitude of gratitude” today. Especially as we in the US are celebrating Memorial Day—a time to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom—what better time to thank the ONE who made the ultimate sacrifice for our sin on Calvary—Jesus Christ our Lord! Amen!

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:57-58

“Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;”  Ephesians 1:15-16

“We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

praying always for you,” Colossians 1:3

“Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.” Psalm 30:4

“So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to all generations.” Psalm 79:13

“O give thanks unto the LORD,

for he is good:

for his mercy endureth for ever.

2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so,

whom he hath redeemed

from the hand of the enemy;” Psalm 107:1-2

May we each spend some time today thanking God for His goodness, His mercy and His love—that HE IS who HE IS and that He has “redeemed” us from our sin and is preparing us for HIS kingdom, and equipping us to spread HIS Gospel to those we encounter. Have a blessed day sharing your ‘attitude of gratitude’! Amen and Amen!

Gratitude Is An Attitude Not Just A Day!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #410

10 Friday Nov 2017

Posted by in Attitude of Gratitude, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Gratitude Is Timeless, Praise God Today!, Thanksgiving, The Word, TODAY, Walking With Jesus

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #410 Gratitude Is An Attitude Not Just A Day!!!

 

“But I am poor and sorrowful:

let thy salvation,

O God,

set me up on high.

30 I will praise the name of God

with a song,

and will magnify him

with thanksgiving.

31 This also shall please the LORD

better than an ox

or bullock that hath horns and hoofs.”    Psalm 69:29-31

I just want to share a few passages to remind us to keep our “Attitude of Gratitude” every day, not just one day a year. My favorite question for this time of year is, “Are you humbly grateful, or grumbly hateful?” It’s a question that only you can answer!

“O come, let us sing unto the LORD:

let us make a joyful noise

to the rock of our salvation.

2 Let us come before his presence

with thanksgiving,

and make a joyful noise

unto him with psalms.

3 For the LORD is a great God,

and a great King above all gods.”   Psalm 95:1-3

May we ever praise Him with our grateful hearts, and live a continual life of praise and gratitude before a world full of ‘selflies’, greed, and entitlement. May our heart of gratitude be contagious to those we encounter each day. A smile can change the world around us—some sourpuss may be waiting to see you smiling ‘Attitude of Gratitude’ today. May we spread the gratitude and thankfulness everywhere we go!

“Oh that men would praise the LORD

for his goodness,

and for his wonderful works

to the children of men!

22 And let them sacrifice

the sacrifices of thanksgiving,

and declare his works

with rejoicing.”   Psalm 107:21-22

Even as James reminds us today:

“Do not err, my beloved brethren.

17 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 1:16-17

Remember ‘gratitude’ and ‘thankfulness’ aren’t just a “seasonal” option:

“Then he said unto them,

Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry;

for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”   Nehemiah 8:10

“I will praise thee,

O LORD,

with my whole heart;

I will shew forth

all thy marvellous works.

2 I will be glad

and rejoice

in thee:

I will sing praise

to thy name,

O thou most High.”    Psalm 9:1-2

Amen and Amen!!!

Let’s determine to truly “shew forth” all His “marvellous works” with our genuinely grateful hearts– full of His wondrous love and grace. Blessings on your day!

Gratitude Is Timeless!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #382

04 Friday Aug 2017

Posted by in Confidence, Gratitude Is Timeless, Praise God Today!, Thanksgiving, The Only Way, The Word

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Bible Ballistics: BBs  #382 Gratitude Is Timeless!!!

 

“Make a joyful noise unto the LORD,

all ye lands.

2 Serve the LORD

with gladness:

come before his presence

with singing.

3 Know ye that the LORD

he is God:

it is he that hath made us,

and not we ourselves;

we are his people,

and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter into his gates

with thanksgiving,

and into his courts

with praise:

be thankful

unto him,

and bless his name.

5 For the LORD is good;

his mercy is everlasting;

and his truth endureth

to all generations.”   Psalm 100:1-5

Many people often regard God as the ‘great slot machine in the sky’! Drop in your coin, pull the handle and God is ‘obligated’ to supply you a ‘jackpot’! God forbid, He is our creator and worthy of our praise—not our efforts to manipulate and control HIM! If I might, I simply offer a few thoughts about how many people seem to really respond toward God and His sovereign grace, mercy and love!

“Complain to and about everything—even God Himself-

all ye lands!

Demand your way with God who is YOUR servant—

And complain about everything!

Stomp into His presence

in arrogance and discontent—

Reject God’s sovereignty—

After all “I” am the ‘Center of the universe’!

He is my ‘genie’ at my disposal—

To meet my every lustful whim!

Call Him into My gates–

With discontent and lustful greed—

After all I deserve more!

For The Lord is never enough—

He isn’t meeting My desires promptly—

His Word has no relevance to my life—

And if it did, I have no time to study it!

I am the only ‘generation’ that is important–      

In fact, I’m the only ONE that counts!”

While this is a bit much, I pray that we’ll each examine our own hearts, and see if we have an ‘attitude of gratitude’ toward God, or if our life is marked with ‘grumbly discontent’? We are often quick to call on God when things are out of our control, or when desperate situations arise; but are we as quick to recognize His presence, His love and His mercy and thank HIM for HIS provision? Or do we expect God to provide without having any sense of His worthiness of praise? May we truly possess the heart of the Psalmist and join those who are continually “thankful unto him”? I pray that we will each check our ‘attitude of gratitude’ quotient! Live praising HIM! Amen and Amen!

“For in him we live, and move, and have our being;” Acts 17:28a

“I am the vine, ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me,

and I in him,

the same bringeth forth much fruit:

for without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5