Monday, January 19, 2009

Giving Thanks


Reflection
Life is made of moments of goodness, peace, joy, love, happiness and laughter. God pours out His compassion upon us in many ways and He takes great pleasure in doing so. These moments we rejoice and we lift joyful hearts in praise. God takes us to the mountain top and we feel loved and highly favored. Giving thanks is not a problem, we are jubilant in recognizing God as Almighty, Powerful, Sovereign, Wonderful, Trustworthy and Loving. We sing high praises to His Holy Name. This is how it should be; we should always recognize and praise God for His blessings and care of us. The question becomes can we offer this same praise when life meets us with pain, sorrow, lost, hurt, discouragement, sickness, sadness, hate, and tears? How obedient to God’s word are we during these moments. I think it becomes more important to lift God’s name in praise during these times of valley experiences. It is in these moments we discover who we really are in Christ. A true believer, following the path God has set before us whatever it may consist of. Are we willing to carrying the cross not knowing the distance but with each step praising and giving thanks to God Almighty, all Powerful, Sovereign, Wonderful, Trustworthy and Loving?

No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Deeper Reflection

Do you consistently give thanks to God when life is good?
Do you recognize His blessings in your life?
How do you handle life when it meets you with troubles?
Do you lift God in praise during these times? Is your heart truly thankful when life is not what you desire?

Deeper Still

Ephesians 5:19-20
Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Daniel 6:10
Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.

Psalm 69:30
I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.

Praying the scriptures

Father God. Life does not always bring our hearts’ desire. It brings pain and sorrow, sickness and disappointments. During these times Lord let us not forget all your benefits; let us lift your Name in high praise offering you thanksgiving whatever the circumstance. Lord we trust You and know You work everything for our good, so we offer you thanks whatever the cross for this is Your will for all who belong to Christ Jesus. Jesus in Your sweet Name we pray. Amen

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Wow, this is really something to think about. It is harder, so much harder, to keep a thankful heart in the midst of hard or bad stuff.

"I think it becomes more important to lift God’s name in praise during these times of valley experiences. It is in these moments we discover who we really are in Christ." I agree with this wholeheartedly but I am ashamed to have to be honest and admit that I'm not liking who I see.

I'm in prayer about it and trying very hard to keep my actions within his will but my thoughts and feelings -- well, that's harder.

I want to thank you, Willnette, for this post because I really needed it to kind of open my eyes and make me look at myself -- even if I don't like it.