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At all times we are to remember the goodness of the Lord and make a
conscious effort to be thankful. It is easy for us to pick and choose what
to be thankful for, but if we take a moment and think about the privileges
that surround us, we will realize our shortcomings in giving thanks. There
are some who look out of their window and see snowflake's and grumble about
the cold weather, but that one should be thankful that they have the
eyesight to see such beauty that is often taken for granted. There are
some who get in their car and drive to work dreading the day ahead of them,
but that one should be thankful to have a car to drive in and a job to
support their living. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) (Ephesians 1:3-10)

We have been given free will to be thankful for all that we have or grumble
and complain at the "disappointments". I would encourage you to be thankful
and simply lift up your eyes to the Lord giving praise to Him for all that
He has given you. You will find that having an attitude of appreciation
and thanksgiving brings both the joy of the Lord into your life as well as
His peace that surpasses all understanding. (Hebrews 13:15) (Philippians 4:6-7)

I hope you are encouraged by today's message.

THANKS FOR THE MISERY

Some stories can stand dusting off. Like the one about a grandmother who
took her little grandson to the beach. They were having a good time until
a huge wave came in and swept the boy out to sea. She fell down on her
knees and pleaded to the heavens, "Please return my grandson -- that's all
I ask! Please!!!"

A moment later, lo and behold, a wave swelled from the ocean and deposited
the wet, yet unhurt, child at her feet. She checked him over to make sure
that he was okay. He was fine. But still she looked up to the heavens
angrily and said, "When we came he had a hat!"

We expect her to give thanks for this extraordinary thing which happened.
We're taught to show appreciation for that special act of kindness or
consideration which is given. Yet, can we also say thanks when all is not
so well? And better yet, should we?

A few years ago, someone stole my wife's purse. In the hassle of going
about the business of helping her to replace lost cards and identification,
I recalled the words of author Matthew Henry. Henry, too, was robbed. Yet
he found the grace to give thanks about his situation. He said, "I give
thanks that I have never been robbed before; that although he took my
wallet, he did not take my life; that although he took everything, it was
not much; and finally, that it was I who was robbed and not I who robbed."

He may as well have said, "Thanks for the misery!" Except that Henry was
not miserable. After all, it is difficult to feel miserable when we are
busy giving thanks.

Author Unknown

Let us have a Joyous attitude and outlook on life no matter how strong the
temptation is to complain. The Lord has done many wonders in our lives
and deserves the praises of His people. The Bible declares in Psalm 100:4-5
"Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise:
be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy
is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations."

Be encouraged to be thankful and know that it is God's desire to bless you
and increase your happiness. Having an attitude of thanksgiving reinforces
God's desire to bless you so that you may be a blessing. (Luke 12:31-32)

Read and meditate on these scriptures:

Psalm 100:1-3 "Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the
LORD with gladness: come before His presence with singing. Know ye that
the LORD He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we
are His people, and the sheep of His pasture."

Colossians 3:15-17 "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the
which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 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. 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."

Psalm 103:2-5 "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who
redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness
and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy
youth is renewed like the eagle's."