Are you ready for the holidays? It seems early, but as I'm getting ready for a holiday craft show this week, I'm reminded that it takes some preparation for our hearts to be grateful in the midst of too much chaos and commercial celebration.
I'm reading a very sweet book by Ann Voskamp entitled ONE THOUSAND GIFTS in which she says that "thanksgiving is the way of the fullest life." She makes a remarkable discovery that in the midst of many miracles and times of crisis, Jesus gives thanks. I've given you several references below, but have a blessing and do a word search yourself. When are we the most likely to give thanks? If you're like me it's when we get something we really want...or when someone pulls through a health crisis...or when our children do what we tell them. 1 Thes. 5:18 says "...give thanks in ALL circumstances". How many times are we asking for more when we haven't said thanks for what we have already received?
Listen to Deborah Norville in THANK YOU POWER: "Gratitude helps us take care of the emotional business of negative things in our lives." I have heard it said that it is impossible to have a negative attitude when you have a grateful heart. Let's be the example others can learn from: starting right now let us be the one to GIVE THANKS!
For further study: 1 Chron. 16:34, Psalm 7:17, Psalm 100:4, Daniel 6:10, Matthew 14:19, Matthew 26:26, Luke 7:36-50, Luke 12:48, Luke 24:30, 1 Cor. 11:23-24, Ephesians 5:19-20, Colossians 3:17
Be blessed in your understanding of God's word.
Love,
Holly
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