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June 28, 2006

Gratitude

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Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. —Colossians 3:17 Among the first words many of us were taught to say are please and thank you. No one gets quite as excited as a parent or grandparent when a toddler first utters those words and makes the connection between asking politely and receiving gratefully.

But I suspect that as we grow older we become more adept at saying please than thank you, especially with our heavenly Father. We focus more on pressing needs than on previous provisions; we petition more than we praise. And while God invites us to come to Him with all our needs, He also urges us to make gratitude a habit.

In Colossians 3:15, Paul instructed every follower of Jesus Christ to “let the peace of God rule in your hearts.” Then three times he reminded us to remain grateful to God: “be thankful” (v.15); sing with gratitude to the Lord (v.16); “do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (v.17).

Dr. Michael Avery, president of God’s Bible School in Cincinnati, Ohio, has said: “Very few things honor and glorify God more than the sweet fragrance of a thankful soul. It expels gloom and ushers in sweet peace and blessed hope. Gratitude encourages graciousness.”

It’s good to give thanks to God. —David C. McCasland

We thank You, Lord, for blessings
You give us on our way;
May we for these be grateful,
And praise You every day. —Roworth

Gratitude should be a continuous attitude, not just an occasional incident.

Bible in One Year: Bible in One Year: Job 11-13; Acts 9:1-21

6 posted on 06/28/2006 4:31:08 AM PDT by The Mayor ( http://albanysinsanity.com/)

Thank you Rus!!!! Have a good day on the "deck patrol"

8 posted on 06/28/2006 4:33:11 AM PDT by DollyCali (Don't tell GOD how big your storm is -- Tell the storm how B-I-G your God is!)

Good Morning the Mayor :)
Beautiful post. I enjoyed viewing your home construction work. Wonderful. I wish you lived down this way, Hubby and I would beg for you to work and help us with our home. LOL!!!

9 posted on 06/28/2006 5:21:20 AM PDT by GodBlessUSA (US Troops, Past, Present and Future, God Bless You and Thank You! Prayers said for our Heroes!)

Good Morning all!

I thank the Good Lord for Blessings every day!

" Thessalonians 5:16-18
16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances , for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

11 posted on 06/28/2006 5:32:05 AM PDT by stopem (God Bless the U.S.A the Troops who protect her, and their Commander In Chief !)

98 posted on 06/28/2006 11:46:23 AM PDT by La Enchiladita (God Bless Our Troops...including U.S. Border Patrol, America's First Line of Defense)

We thank You, Lord, for blessings
You give us on our way;
May we for these be grateful,
And praise You every day. —Roworth

Amen, and many thanks.

145 posted on 06/29/2006 2:20:48 AM PDT by .30Carbine

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