Friday, November 6, 2009

HOW CAN WE SHOW THANKS?

Have we ever gotten a note expressing thanks from another person? How did it make you feel?

When someone holds a door open for us how do we respond? Do we just walk on through the door or do we express our thanks? We should thank the person. And do we hold the door open for others? We might not always hear the person thanking us, but we find ourselves doing it because we know it’s the right thing to do. And then, we might be surprised and that person may respond.

Sometimes we are told to pay it forward. A friend does something nice to help us. He or she tells us to do a special deed for someone else. Do we seek to serve others, no matter how small the act? Something as simple as giving a ride to someone down the street.

Do we volunteer our time, resources, and talents? Do we send out cards to those who are ill or experience difficult times? Do we donate to missions or to a local nonprofit ministry or charity?

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

ARE WE GRATEFUL?

"So in everything, do to others as

you would have them do to you. . . .”

Matthew 7:12 (NIV)






How do we react when someone we know receives a gift or special recognition? Are we happy for them? We should be. The golden rule tells we should be as happy for them as we would want them to be for us.

As we mature in Christ, we are to become almost invisible and let Jesus shine through us. When we live as God desires, we, illumine Him. By doing what He desires, we bring honor and glory to Him. Our obedience tells God how much we love Him and He accepts what we do as our thanks.

Monday, November 2, 2009

TRUE THANKFULNESS

“To obey is better than sacrifice, and

to heed is better than the fat of the rams”

1 Samuel 15:22



How can we show God we are truly thankful for what He has given us? Have we ever had someone do something for us and we forgot to thank him/her? God likes to be thanked when He performs an act for us. A friend may help us because God has spoken to them. We might do a good deed for the same reason.

OBEDIENCE IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE

When we choose to obey God, He appreciates our efforts. If we had to choose to do as our Master wishes or follow what we want. We should strive to choose to follow Him.

HOW DO WE TREAT HIS GIFTS?

Have we ever viewed what we have as a gift from God? How many things do we possess that would not be ours unless God gave them to us? This could be a short coming for a lot of us. Our homes, our books, our nice warm clothes. Our families, our friends,

Our personal resources, our means of transportation all have God as it’s ultimate source. Shouldn’t we learn to take care of what He has given us better?

The natural resources of our land could ultimately run out. We, who are God’s children, should remember we are His stewards and should thank Him for what He has provided for our use. Also, we should search for ways to protect our Master’s earth.

God Alone

  Jesus and the children at our church's prayer walk.          I will both lie down in peace and sleep;  For You alone, O LORD make ...