POWER OF GRATITUDE
This morning we gather to cherish and share our first cup of coffee with hearts full of praise for ALL God is and for all He has done in our lives!
PAUSE: Right up front, let’s talk a few minutes just contemplating, pondering, what Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit, has already accomplished or showed up in your life! Do not read below yet…just close your eyes, open your mind, and slowly start thanking Jesus for His blessings in your life!
QUESTION: Once done, how do you feel now? I bet you feel a peace more easily now! I would think you also feel a few burdens are way less significant now. What a blessing!
Today, I share with you a gift you can use every day in your relationship with Jesus to assist you in keeping and maintaining daily a Heavenly, Spiritual, view that will enhance your encouragement, your peace, your joy, and hope! Guess what—life is full of choices and we make them everyday!
Are you willing to choose to begin your day giving Jesus thanks for the blessings in your life?
After everyone was sitting, Scripture says:
“Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.”
John 6:11 NIV
Jesus did “the impossible” and generously fed the people!
QUESTION: But don’t miss what came before the passing of the food. What did HE do before HE distributed the food?
He GAVE THANKS!
Giving and expressing gratitude to God is exemplified and stressed throughout the Bible. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul encourages the early church (and us) to give thanks in all circumstances.
This means we give God thanks when life is going great. But it also means we give Him thanks in the midst of our challenges. This can seem like a difficult assignment until we remember that God never leaves us.
As Christians, GRATITUDE realigns and renews our minds. Thanking God for who He is resets us to the “mind of Christ.” It takes our focus off our circumstances, as real and important to God as they are, and onto the ability and character of our Living Hope, Jesus.
Amazing Point: Gratitude helps us grow our relationship with Him!
“When we choose to express our love and gratitude to God first and continually, our situations may not change, but it will always change us.”
“Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:5-7 NKJV
Giving thanks for devotional:
“Trusting Jesus When Life is Hard,” in Bible App
