Tag Archives: Gratitude

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

01 Friday Nov 2019

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Attitude of Gratitude, Gratitude, Gratitude Is Timeless, Thankful, Thanksgiving, The Love of God

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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!!!

Grateful For What??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #567

28 Friday Jun 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Confidence, Contentment, Gratitude, Kindness, Thankful

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #567   Grateful For What???

 

Just a short word this morning to remind each of us to never forget to be grateful!  An attitude of gratitude will affect our whole outlook; when we are grateful to God, when we show gratitude to our family members, when we express thankfulness to those we encounter.

A grateful heart will help us focus on others more than ourselves!  And that, my friends, is always a lesson worth reminding ourselves of.

“Rejoice evermore.

17 Pray without ceasing

18 In every thing give thanks:

for this is the will of God

in Christ Jesus

concerning you.”  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

David rejoiced in his God because he had experienced His faithful provision, protection and power!  What do you have to thank God for?

“O give thanks unto the LORD;

for he is good;

 for his mercy endureth for ever.”  1 Chronicles 16:34

God in His love and mercy toward us has given us Jesus to save us, lead us, grow us in grace, truth and love into children of God who bring HIM glory.

“And we know that all things work together

for good

to them that love God,

to them who are the called

according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow,

he also did predestinate

to be conformed

to the image of his Son,

that he might be the firstborn

among many brethren.”   Romans 8:28-29

Oh, how grateful I am for God’s mercy and longsuffering toward us.  I can hardly go one day without thanking Him for touching me, saving me, and growing me in His Word, His grace, His power and His love!  Without Him I would have nothing to be thankful for!  But with Him, I can rejoice every day—in Who He Is and all He is doing in me, for me, through me—all helping me to “be conformed to the image of his Son”!  How could I not rejoice and thank HIM always?  All because HE loves me enough to send Jesus to pay for my sin!  And He’ll do the same for you—He isn’t slow, but He does want people to be saved!

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise,

as some men count slackness;

but is longsuffering

to us-ward,

not willing that any should perish,

but that all should come to repentance.”   2 Peter 3:9

Will you join me today in thanking HIM for all HE does for us?  And then don’t forget that special phrase as you encounter folks today!  Thank You!  You can use it at the bank, as you shop, at the local café, at home, to all as you have opportunity.

“And the Lord make you to increase

and abound

in love

one toward another,

and toward all men,

even as we do

toward you:”    1 Thessalonians 3:12

And we can do all this in HIS power, remembering that, “without me ye can do nothing.”  (See John 15:5)!  Thank YOU, and thank YOU Jesus!  Praying that each of you have a blessed day as you remember to express thanks to God continually, and others as you have opportunity.  There may be a waitress out there who needs a word of encouragement, or a bank teller, or a store clerk, or a co-worker, or employer (just because they’re the boss, doesn’t mean that they don’t need a word of encouragement or an expression of gratitude!)—so go to it!!!  And a smile helps almost everything!

“And be ye kind

one to another,

tenderhearted,

forgiving one another,

even as God

for Christ’s sake

hath forgiven you.”  Ephesians 4:32

 

Amen and Amen!

 

 

Forgetting Our Manners??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #532

15 Friday Feb 2019

Posted by in Attitude of Gratitude, Gratitude, Salvation

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #532   Forgetting Our Manners???

 

I hope you had a pleasant Valentine’s Day—that you got to spend time with the people in your life, whether by phone, or text or in person.  Time with the people we love is a gift from God, and yet we often forget to thank God for our life, our blessings, for the greatest Valentine (testament to love), Jesus, as well as others!!!

I pray that we will never forget our debt of gratitude to others, especially our Lord! He has given so much, not only ‘to’ us, but ‘for’ us!

“And you hath he quickened,

who were deadin trespasses and sins;”    Ephesians 2:1

He has given us life, His life—new life IN Jesus.

“Jesus answered and said unto her,

If thou knewest the gift of God,

and who it is that saith to thee,

Give me to drink;

thou wouldest have asked of him,

and he would have given thee

living water……

13 Jesus answered and said unto her,

Whosoever drinketh of this water

shall thirst again:

14 But whosoever drinketh of the water

that I shall give him

shall never thirst;

but the water

that I shall give him

shall be in him a well of water

springing up

into everlasting life.”    John 4:10, 13-14

I love this picture of ever-springing water that wells up, imparting everlasting life through Jesus!  I’m so grateful for “life”—the life that Jesus gives us—born anew from the deadness of sin.  His life springing up like an artesian well in us! I love the sweet taste of water springing from an artesian well, and in the mountains, you can often see water springing out of the mountain, and people will come and get water from that bubbling spring!  What a treat. But God has given us the greater gift—a living spring —His Son who took on human flesh and blood, who walked among sinners, who revealed God to us, and even more importantly, HE died for our sin on Calvary!  All because HE. loves us!!!  Have you invited Him in!  Have you received that wonderful gift of eternally springing life within you? If you have, won’t you take some time today (every day) to thank Him for this unparalleled gift? Thank YOU, Jesus!!!

“For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world through him

might be saved.”  John 3:16-17

Jesus gave His life a sacrifice for sin, that we might live! Will you heed His call and thank Him for the love and grace HE poured out at Calvary?

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.”  Revelation 3:20. Amen!!!

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!

How’s Your Gratitude Quotient??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #510

20 Tuesday Nov 2018

Posted by in Gratitude, Thanksgiving

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #510 How’s Your Gratitude Quotient???

 

I would like to simply share a post that I wrote on social media some four years ago. It was true then, and it’s still true today! I pray that we all may increase in our “Attitude of Gratitude” to our Father. Remember, there is a difference between saying, “I’m Thankful!” and being “Thankful” to The God “from whom all blessings flow”!

November 19, 2014

“Gratitude is such a blessed state to be in. While I live physically in the state of Oklahoma, I have lived in many places and been totally discontented—but the best place I’ve ever lived is in the State of ‘Gratitude’!!! I thank God for His grace, His Word and His love that have been and are teaching me to live a life of gratitude. To not only know God through salvation in Jesus, which I do, but to see Him teaching, growing and bringing me to a place where I am learning that I CAN:

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”  1 Thessalonians 5:18

May God grant you the power to keep that ‘attitude of gratitude’? It is a blessed ‘state’ to live in…“

Amen and Amen!!!

I pray that God will bless you and yours with a blessed and enjoyable Thanksgiving time with your loved ones!