It’s not too late to join the Gratitude Challenge on our NEW Facebook page! It’s never too late to be thankful and express our gratitude to God.
Recently I came across a book by Dustin Crowe – The Grumbler’s Guide to Giving Thanks. It’s been an eye opener for me in giving thanks and having a heart of gratitude. Apparently I have been doing wrong. There’s a question that Dustin asks; Am I offering thanks as a tax or a gift to God? Ouch. It made me stop and evaluate how I give, why I give and to whom am I giving thanks.
I highly recommend getting a copy. You can purchase on Amazon or through Truth for Life (where I heard about the book) and it’s free when you make a donation in any amount and I do believe shipping is free as well.
“Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him.” For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.
But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. For “who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:9-16 NASB).
Romans 11:34 “For who can know the LORD’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice?”
For me, as I see it, in our humanness we are limited. Especially when it comes to understanding ALL that God has for us, i.e. His plan for us, how He works ALL things together for our good and His glory. We will never know and understand everything in the Bible this side of Heaven. John 21:25 “Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written.” (NLT). I believe ALL that He IS the whole world could not contain the books that would be written (not to add to scripture). Y’know that saying separate your who from your do? What you do isn’t who you are. I think God is the only one who is what He does. God is love. He loves everyone, but not everyone will accept Him. His who is is His do. No?
We may not know or understand God’s mind fully or how He operates. But we can know what pleases Him. And knowing what pleases Him, we can have some understanding about Him. If we are in Christ, verse 14 -16 of 1 Corinthians says, “But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. For “who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.” “Mind of” being the operative words. We can have Christ like thoughts.
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18. Not only do we learn that we are given the instruction to give thanks it also God’s will for us. So if you’re wondering what God’s will is for your life, start with giving thanks to God. Finding God’s will for us, for our lives, is a journey, it can take time, so here’s a good place to start just by giving thanks.
With the month of November being noted for Thanksgiving, we can take the opportunity to grow our minds like Christ by giving thanks and we are doing His will. Sounds so simple and it is and there is more to this with offering sacrifices and being obedient. Perhaps that’s another post.
Join us on the new Facebook page for a 30 day gratitude challenge. It’s not too late, it’s always a good time to give thanks.
Happy Monday! Hope you are enjoying these free coloring pages to help with memorizing God’s word. With Thanksgiving and Christmas just around the corner it’s good time of year to reflect on our generosity and gratefulness. Generosity is cultivated through being grateful. When we are thankful, it changes everything about our outlook and attitude. We become generous with our time, our love, compassion, our finances, our time; we want to share what we have with others.
And think about this when we are generous today we are laying stones for the next generation like in the book of Joshua. By donating our time, our money, our resources, we are laying stones and building God’s Kingdom so that one day others will see how God worked through us and ask, “What do these stones mean to you?” Joshua 4:6.
In the small mining town of Bovey Minnesota, Charles Wilden approached Eric Enstrom to take a photograph of him. Charles Wilden, was just a salesman selling foot scrapers at the time. Perhaps this encounter was more than just a hapenstance. Enstrom was getting ready to attend a convention of the Minnesota Photographer’s Association at the time and was compiling a portfolio to take with him. This photograph dates back to 1918 and has been shared all over for many decades.
“I wanted to take a picture that would show people that even though they had to do without many things because of the war they still had much to be thankful for”
For years I thought the book on the table was a Bible. I guess it could be but, according to Enstrom it is just a family book. To complete the composition he added glasses resting on the top of the book, a knife, a bowl of gruel, and a loaf of bread. He then had Wilden bow his head and fold his hands in prayer. It is often said “a picture is worth a thousand words and this photograph seemed to say a lot. This gentleman didn’t have much to speak of but he had a grateful heart. I know it can be hard to be thankful for somethings. But the Bible says to be thankful IN all things, 1 Thessalonians 5:18 – “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (KJV). God’s not asking us to be thankful for all things but in all things. This is also God’s will for us. If you’re struggling to be obedient to God, here’s a simple way to start. Just be thankful. There are so many blessings that come from being obedient to God.
For over 100 years this photograph has been hung in homes, churches and restaurants across America reminding us to give thanks and with a grateful heart. With Thanksgiving quickly approaching why should we wait or limit ourselves to just one day of being grateful for all that God has given us? If you have or had this photo or painting hanging in your home be reminded to be thankful to God. He loves you and has given His all for us.
To read more of the history of this photograph follow the link . Please like and share, thank you.
Welcome back again and thank you. Prayer is an important part of the Christian life. After all it is how we communicate with our Heavenly Father. “Never stop praying.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17. The KJV says “Pray without ceasing.” The greek word for ceasing is adialeiptōs , translated – incessantly. Makes me think of a pesky insect, like a fly continually landing on my food or buzzing around my face. It just doesn’t stop.
That’s what God is trying to tell us in Paul’s letter to Thessolanica, be pesky with prayer. Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” And Ephesians 6:18 – “Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.” Pray at all times and go to God about everything.
He wants to hear it all. The small things, like finding your lost keys, helping you with deciding where to go for dinner, He wants to be included in all you do. He wants to hear about how excited you are about finding something you lost, or how a memory makes you happy, and He wants to hear about your bad day, how a co-worker made you feel angry or how you messed up. Sometimes we don’t know what to pray. And the cool thing is, we don’t always have to talk. We just need to be present in His presence and listen. We can always find something for which to praise Him. Thank Him for all that He is doing, has done and will do because God is faithful. Thank Him when you get the perfect parking space, thank Him for finding a lost item, thank Him being able to tie your shoes and if you can’t thank Him for the person who could. Praise Him for His creation, for the song birds, the rain, the sun, praise Him for the small things and the big things. Thank Him for the person who delivers your pizza 🙂
So as you begin the weekend, be pesky in prayer, in all things, all the time and be present in His presence.
If you liked this post be sure to like and share. And please leave your thoughts, comments and prayer requests. Thank you
The Kedge Anchor 
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