Thankful

While Giving Thanks

“NEVER worry about anything. But in EVERY situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests WHILE GIVING THANKS. Then God’s PEACE, which goes beyond anything we can imagine, will GUARD your thoughts and emotions through Christ Jesus. .”

Philippians 4:6 GW

I don’t know about you, but sometimes what I need may seem imminent and BIG. Therefore my prayers are dominated with my needs, my worries, my concerns, my fears…..my, my, my. Nothing wrong with this, providing we don’t neglect the latter part of the scripture: while giving thanks.

Don’t let your petition outshine your praise!!

Praise is an important part to our prayer life and actually benefits us (yes us) in so many ways. Praising God while we cry out our deepest needs keeps us focused on the larger more important target: Our Heavenly Father.

Magnifying HIS Name helps to minimize our problems. Our mind will feast on what it focuses on, so fix your mind on Him and not your problem.

There’s something that happens when we make our petition with praise. “God’s peace, which is far beyond human understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe. . .” Philippians 4:7

Petition
Praise
Peace

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!” Isaiah 26:3 nlt

What a wonderful gift God has given to us. When we praise Him, focus on Him, keep our thoughts and mind on Him, He gives us peace that will guard our minds.

Let’s face it, when we are in desperate need of a move of God, we are often filled with worry and fear or even grief. Each one of those emotions can destroy us from the inside out if left unchecked. But praise God He gives us peace to protect our minds.

Don’t let your petition outshine your praise. Yes ask! Yes petition! Yes, tell Him your worries! But Praising Him will begin to minimize our petition and magnify The One Who is “able to do so much more than we can ever ask for, or even think of.” Ephesians 3:20 gnb

God is greater than our problems. And just as important, HE LOVES YOU and can’t wait to show you.

Your Mother is a Heavenly Gift

The love of a mother
Forgives, restores, loves and heals
Guides us, protects us and fights off our fears

She defends us from danger that we don’t even see
That’s what mothers do for you and me

A mother’s love fierce and true
Comes to our defense and our rescue
She takes a stand when no others will
Not because we are right
But because her love is real

But WE. . .
We children both infant and old
Live out a different story rarely told

We love and hug our moms one minute and
Run from her instruction thinking she just doesn’t get it
We roll our eyes and try to be grown
Can’t wait to get out and live life on our own

That’s when it happens I suppose
The understanding, we’ve stepped on mama’s toes
But this woman so loyal and strong
Remains by our side no matter our wrong

This depth of compassion is hard to explain
Except when we look at our Savior slain
His love is one that never forsakes
His blood disregards and covers mistakes

Grace and mercy abundantly given
A gift to us from our Savior risen
His love manifest isn’t only eternal
His love is extended through the maternal

That’s right, your mother is a Heavenly gift
Bring her love and honor, and continue to uplift
Your encourager, your warrior and your best friend
Thank You God for a love that never ends.

by Tracey Ray

Conscious of a Benefit Received

THANKFUL defined: Conscious of a benefit received.

Thanksgiving is upon us. Its a time when our country takes time to reflect upon all things for which we are  grateful. “Conscious of a benefit received,” is just one definition I found but it resonated with me. Many times we are ungrateful, sad, depressed, angry, upset, entitled or just plain unappreciative because we haven’t realized the benefit we have received.

 “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:” Psalms 103:2 kjv

Jesus Christ has given us a long list of benefits. Here are but a few:

  • Salvation
  • Forgiveness/He is faithful & just to forgive us our sins
  • Grace/His favor rests upon us
  • Written promises for us to claim
  • The Holy Spirit/Comfort/Guidance/Empowerment
  • Joy/Peace/Love/Contentment

God’s benefits are all around us, we just have learn how to recognize them. They are not shrouded in mystery and unknown to us. We see them daily; but instead of seeing benefits we may see obligations or aggravations.

God’s benefits manifest themselves in physical and tangible ways, not only in supernatural or ethereal ways. His benefits can be heard in the voice of your child, seen in the sunrise, felt when someone wraps their arms around you, tasted in your precious mama’s good cooking or in the smell after a fresh summer’s rain. God is benefiting us with every word of encouragement, every ‘I love you,’ every paycheck, every meal, every …..thing.

“Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven.” James 1:17 msg

Let’s decide to be more conscious of a benefit received and give God the glory for it.

Today I’ve asked my coworkers: what does it mean to you to be thankful. I thought I’d share their responses:

  • Thankful is choosing to see the good when things are looking pretty bad.
  • Being appreciative. Its understanding that we are benefiting from the efforts & contributions of people before us. Realizing that our benefits, freedoms and comfort are from them. And because of that we can be appreciative and continue to pave the way for the generations to come. It’s not about you.
  • Thinking of others instead of yourself & being a blessing to them.  Knowing that God has given us a second chance at life.
  • Being thankful is being blessed with people and things makes me who I am.
  • Being appreciative of all things
  • I believe being thankful is that I love and that I am loved. I’m thankful for my health, happiness, and my household.
  • Being grateful and appreciative for being alive. Being able to do things for other people to make them happy.
  • Being thankful for what you have, for making it another day. Thankful for family because many don’t have family. Thankful for food and loved ones to share a meal with.
  • To be grateful & appreciative.