Jesus has paid the price for our sins…He has reconciled us to God. We are redeemed…we are loved. God will teach us and guide us through His Word…He can transform our hearts and minds…He comforts us and strengthens us. Give thanks to the Lord. Amen.
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.”
Psalm 136:1
(This photo was taken in July of 2016 along Beartooth Pass near the Montana and Wyoming border)
Originally posted in July of 2019…
I hope you have enjoyed the music and listening for God in the talent of those who have been blessed to share the Good News through song over the last few weeks. This morning I am struck by gratitude for all the good things God has given. There is so much to be thankful for and yet we often choose to wish for things to be different or to have more or less of something. It seems to be human nature to desire more in some way, however, true joy and peace is found only in contentment. Think about how much we can enjoy the present moments in life each day if we begin with gratitude and thankfulness for what blessings we have been given and put Christ in the center of our lives rather than ourselves and our desires. Thanks be to God for all He has done for us and may the peace of the Lord be with you. Amen.
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.”
1 Timothy 6:6-7
(This photo was taken in October of 2014 at sunset on the island of Maui, Hawaii)
It’s so easy to get blinded by worldly values and events that we lose sight of God. How quickly we forget His love, His mercy, His grace and what Jesus Christ did to save us. We have access to the instruction manual for life in God’s Word…it’s right there…yet we lay down our worries and burdens and ask Him for help…only to pick them up again and go our own way. He provides all that we need…let us give thanks to the Lord. Amen.
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.”
Psalm 118:1
(This photo was taken in June of 2013 near Pike’s Peak in Colorado)
What are you thankful for today? How often are we able to look for something to be thankful for during difficult times? It is not easy…yet it is a choice. An attitude of gratitude may not come naturally to us but we should strive for it as it can make such a big difference in our lives. We don’t have to do it alone…start by thanking God for Jesus Christ and what He did for you at the Cross and see where you can go from there. Amen.
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Colossians 3:15-17
(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while traveling through North Dakota)
It is needed now more than ever…the world focuses all it’s time on what is lost or has been taken away. Gratitude is an attitude, a choice. When you look at life you choose how you are going to view circumstances and that view depends on your beliefs. If your beliefs are based on the false truths the world teaches you are sure to be disappointed and have a negative view of life…if you build your beliefs on the foundation of a relationship with Jesus Christ you can seek the wisdom that comes from God and that can provide a peace that surpasses all understanding. Amen.
“Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Ephesians 5:18-20
(This photo was taken in June of 2016 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)
It’s an incredible thing…choosing to start with gratitude is a clear path to changing your perspective. Ask yourself, ‘what am I thankful for?’ and it leads your thoughts and your mind to search for what is good, positive and optimistic. If at first it is difficult and you find yourself quickly slipping into ‘what I don’t have’ or ‘the way things used to be’ consciously stop yourself and make a list of 2-3 things that you are grateful for. The more we put this into practice the more our perspective will change. If you struggle with this turn to Jesus Christ in prayer and ask Him to help you see the good that is all around you. Trust in the Lord and give Him thanks for all that He has done for you. Amen.
“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his[a];
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.”
Psalm 100
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)
It is so easy to stay in “go” mode…day in and day out. Moving from one thing to the next with the calendar driving how we spend our time. When we learn to stop and reflect, we get the opportunity to realize and appreciate what blessings and gifts God has given us. No matter where we have been, who we have been with or what we have done or left undone…God has been right there with us every day, every step of the way. Take a moment to reflect on your life and give thanks to God. Amen.
“Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while traveling along Beartooth Pass in Montana)
If you want to know the answers, you must be willing to ask the questions. If you have questions for God, Jesus encourages us to ask…seek Him and then pay attention for the response. Keep in mind He doesn’t answer questions the way we want, much like a parent doesn’t answer every child’s question the way the child wants. God loves you; He is with you and He wants good things for you…He has proven that by sending His only Son into the world to die on a cross for you. As we reflect and look ahead at this time of the year…look for where you have seen God in your life, give thanks and ask Him the questions you truly want to know the answers too. Amen.
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”
Matthew 7:7-8
(This photo was taken in March of 2018 in White Sands National Park in New Mexico)
There is hope…even at times when it feels like there is no hope…God is still on the throne in heaven and even though things don’t go the way we want them to, or how we want them to, or things don’t happen when we want…we still have hope for the future because of Jesus Christ. No matter where you are or what is happening or not happening in your life, look around your life for what is good, look for what you can be grateful for and give thanks to God. Amen.
“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Corinthians 15:57
(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on Lake Superior near the Apostle Islands)
Happy Thanksgiving! Take time today to give your thanks to God. Amen.
“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.”
Psalm 100
(This photo was taken in May of 2014 at a lake in central Minnesota)
Take Your Faith With You 