ThanksGIVING
"Thanksgiving to God is an exuberant response to giving me HIS everything . . . by giving Him MY everything"
- Martha Kilpatrick |
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1000 Gifts
Wherever you are, count your blessings, collect gifts, count it all joy. Because there's no way to enter into His courts but through the gates of Thanksgiving -
and it's only in His presence is fullness of Joy!
FREE DOWNLOAD: 
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD 1000 Gifts iTunes App |
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"We must practice and become brilliant at receiving the love of God and give it away as quickly as possible, knowing that it is going to come back to us... deeper, bigger, w i d e r and STRONGER." - Graham Cooke |
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g r a t i t u d e
"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.
It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." -Melody Beattie |
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u n c o m m o n g r a t i t u d e
"For the foundations of the earth are The Lord's..."
1 Samuel 2:8, NIV
If God is everywhere, then He is here.
If He is here, He is with me.
If He is with me, He will protect me.
God's had me on my knees recently. I've been searching Scripture for wisdom/ I'm thankful for His truths. I'm thankful for His inspiration to have a heart of gratitude. Hannah's prayer to The Lord found in the early verses of 1 Samuel reflect an uncommon heart of gratitude....gratitude that brings a heart of joy -- an uncommon response to longing, adversity, grief, pain and loss. Gratitude brings us the unexpected perspective of God's grace.
We know that God is at work in all things. But when we can give thanks for the things that make no sense to us, the things that hurt us most, then we are claiming our trust in God and the promises of His Word. It is not enough to pray through adversity, but to be grateful in it. Having uncommon gratitude brings us closer to the grace God intends for us. Stepping out in that trust is the faith that draws us near to God's heart...it is the blessing of obedient faith. Theologian Henri Nouwen says it this way, "Gratitude is more than a mere "thank you." It is a discipline to be practiced each day in a conscious way." The apostle Paul reminds us in his first letter to the Thessalonians, "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (5:16-18) Gratitude frees us from bitterness and discontentment, lightens our perspective when life gets heavy, and brings peace to anxiety and a renewed sense of humility before God. The humble heart sees the blessings of God clearly, and longs to share them with others. Truely, gratitude helps us recognize more fully where we are... because of God's grace. For that, above all else, I'm most thankful. |
f e e d i n g t h e h u n g e r 
Feed Gratitude. Nurture gratitude and joy thrives. "Let the Word of Christ dwell in you... share it with thankfulness and joy to God." Colossians 3:16
Feed Flexibility. Our plans may have to be adjusted, but in the rush of where we are headed, don't we want to pause to listen for God's leading? "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord... plans for a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Feed Patience. Everyone has a tender place, deep within. Extend grace. "With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love." - Ephesians 4:2
Feed Laughter. Look for JOY! Encourage it and relish it. "For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace." Isaiah 55:12
Feed Contentment. The world presses us into anticipation. Pray for a peaceful, contended spirit. "There is great gain in godliness with contentment..." 1 Timothy 6:6
Feed Compassion. Look for places where God opens a door for you to serve, fill a need, extend an arm of love and generosity. "Whatever you have done for the least one of these... you have done for Me." Matthew 25:40
Feed Encouragement. There are 40 commands for us to care for 'one-another'. Be purposeful toward others. "Build one another up..." 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Feed Forgiveness. Extend forgiveness. Experience freedom. "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4:32
God wants us to open our mouths wide -- enjoy the feast! |
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