78 The Power Of Gratitude 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

Giving thanks infuses joy into your daily life. British Theologian John Henry Jowett said, “Every virtue divorced from thankfulness is maimed and limps along the spiritual road.” He is saying, without gratitude, your faith becomes a hollow religious practice and your love for others crashes and burns, leaving you drained of joy and acting like a martyr. When Paul says in (Thessalonians (5:18) “In everything give thanks for this is the will of God” He’s not saying every circumstance you encounter is necessarily God’s will for you. No! We have no problem getting ourselves into situations that God never intended for us, but, at such times we can and should approach God with a thankful heart as we ask Him to extricate us from such circumstances or situations. Yes, we’ve all been there accidentality or otherwise. We are human and succumb to temptation but when we realise where we are at, we know our only hope is in God. So, in humble thanksgiving we turn to our Saviour for help. Likewise when we are helped or ministered to by a fellow believer we need to acknowledge, appreciate and thank them for their concern, willingness and in-put by helping us. Unfortunately words such as “Thank you, Please and sorry are a few of many words that have all but dropped out of our vocabulary. Yes, unfortunate and disappointing, but true. . There are people who interpret scripture this way, “Well whatever happens is the will of God… give thanks and praise Him for it and get on with life” The Bible doesn’t say everything is God designed… It says In it, through it and beyond it He can and will work with you and me for good… “The will of God in Christ” is that we give thanks and praise to God in the middle of our problems, difficulties and circumstances, Why? because it makes us feel good? No! Because praying without ceasing introduces a song of praise into our situation…muddling and praying our way through it isn’t going to make it, whereas, taking it to God, who can make something out of the mess we find ourselves in will bring the reason why the Bible tells us “In everything give thanks” In any given set of circumstances you can choose to whine or choose to worship - and you can’t worship without giving thanks Ever find yourself asking, Why me, Lord? How come You don’t answer my prayers? Well-meaning friends will tell you “Things will get better,” but you can’t see any light at the end of the tunnel. And just when you think things can’t get any worse, you pick up your Bible and read, (1 Thes 5:16-18) ‘Rejoice always, In everything give thanks’ as if your supposed to enjoy your situation! Alexander McLaren said,” Seek to cultivate a buoyant, joyous sense of the crowded kindnesses of God in your daily life.’ that means thank and praise God for all the blessings He is giving you right now and each day; (Your health , the weather, your home the meal you’ve just consumed your family and friends etc.) all the things we take for granted. The fact is, However, when life overwhelms you the last thing you feel like doing is giving thanks Right! But, as Nancy Leigh De Moss puts it, “When someone or something Hijacks your plans for your day off, or you get an unexpected bill that wasn’t in the budget...Don’t try living the Christian life without gratitude. Or By sheer willpower and effort you may succeed at “gutting out” right responses, but your Christianity (so called) will be hollow, hard-edged and uninviting… If all our faith had to offer were words that only fit in a theological textbook, it would be unkind to extend it to someone struggling to survive. True Christian-centred, grace-motivated gratitude fits life’s most desperate moments and difficult situations, When there are no answers, it gives hope. It transforms overwhelmed strugglers into triumphant winners .Gratitude is a hard-fought, grace-infused, Biblical lifestyle… and it’s transforming power is reserved for those who know and acknowledge the Giver of every good gift and who are recipients of His redeeming Grace.” I cannot improve on Nancy’s words and I thank God and her for them. I learned to adopt an attitude of gratitude in some of the hardest times of my life, Humbling myself under the mighty hand of God was the only way I could find, when it was only God and I, I found that was all I needed. And you know what, it was always enough. An attitude of gratitude is what I call a spiritual courtesy and as Christians we should never be found wanting in this area. Remember every good gift comes from God, so, thank Him and whoever He sends it through. Thank you for reading these words on Gratitude and Gratefulness. We have so much to thank God for as He caters for our every need. God bless you all in Jesus’ name. Phaline.

77. What To Expect In Life. Hebrews 11;8

In the above scripture the Bible tells us, ‘By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going’ Or all the difficulties he would encounter. Isn’t it good that God doesn’t give us the whole picture of our journey!! In that light let’s look at things we should expect on life’s journey… 1. Opportunities and Opposition. Paul wrote in (1Corinthians16:9) “a great and effective door has been open to me, and there are many adversaries.’ Indeed we will encounter obstacles and opposition, and we should pray that God keeps the eyes, and ears of our hearts open to these and that He may awaken our minds and spirits to the opportunities He is presenting to us. As we progress on our God-given assignments there will often be attacks. But here’s the good news; We are in Christ, and the enemy has to respect that authority, but, because the enemy still considers each of us a High-value target and a threat to his plans. we must stay alert 2. Setbacks meant to derail you ...; (Proverbs 24:16) says ‘A righteous man may fall seven times and rises again’ think about this.. Who is Solomon describing? Answer ‘a righteous man’ How often does he fall and get up again? answer ‘seven times’ He is saying failing doesn’t make us a failure, not learning from our mistakes and refusing to change our methods does, and so does refusing to take advice and try again. If sin causes us to stumble, we must repent and renounce it, then get back on track. If you fell because you were trying something new and unfamiliar, you don’t need to beat yourself up but draw on God’s grace, resolve to do better and keep moving forward. By doing this, we are making sure at the end we will be able to say like Paul in (2 Timothy 4;7) ‘I have finished the race’ Not everyone who starts the race will finish it. Many will start and drop out for one reason or another, don’t be one of those. Again in (1 Corinthians 9:24:27) Paul writes.. Do you not know that those who run in a race; all run, but one receives the prise? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prise is temperate in all things, they, to obtain a perishable crown, but we, for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run.. not with uncertainty… I fight not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into submission, lest, when I preach to others, I myself may become disqualified.’ Paul is not talking about his salvation here; that was a settled issue, He’s talking about the heavenly reward, and these particular words should make us stop and think “Lest I Myself Become disqualified.” Paul is speaking here about people coming after us, that we are to be living examples of how those who fought the good fight to the end, not only received the crown which awaited them, but left a blue-print for the next generation to follow, just as Jesus did for us Here are some things that may cause us to stumble on our journey. 1. Failure to pray and read God’s word everyday. 2. Saying No to God when He deals with us about a specific area in our life. 3. Moral failure stemming from wrong habits and relationships. 4. Allowing doubt and fear to cripple us. 5. Wasting time on frivolous pursuits instead of focusing on the one thing God has called us to do, 6. succeeding in our careers and failing at home. 7. Not sowing our treasure, talent and time into God’s Kingdom, resulting in a lack of resources to fulfil His will for our life. And the list can go on and on. Now, Even God doesn’t expect you or me, to accommodate that list everyday, but when things are not going right it’s good to have a check-list handy and refer to it regularly. Also, If you say Psalm (139; 23-24) daily with sincerity it will keep you close to God. “Search me, O God, and know my heart, see if there’s any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” I say a similar prayer each morning, David said it and God said of him “He is a man after my own heart.” We must all take responsibility for our own lives instead of blaming others. In the garden of Eden , when God asked Adam why he had eaten from the tree, he blamed God and his own wife “The woman YOU gave me” Read Genesis 3:12-18” and when God asked Eve about it she said “The serpent deceived me and I ate” and so on it went. But God accepted none of it , in fact as you read the above verses you will see they paid a great price for their disobedience. And so are we. You may ask,”Since God is all knowing How come He got so angry with Adam and Eve? Answer, Because neither one would take responsibility for their actions! When we sin and ask His forgiveness, God willingly forgives us (see Nehemiah 9:17) What He wont accept, however, is blaming, rationalising, justifying, and excusing. His word says in (Proverbs 28:13) He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will receive mercy. Here are two more things you need to know; the wrong people will hurt you. There are two groups of people you should not allow to influence you. 1. Very needy or very negative people, they will cling to you and you will end-up being their security blanket; they will get possessive and pull you down and nothing you say will satisfy them. Point them to a professional they require that sort of help. Such people are very draining, doubting and distracting. These are people who really don’t want to know about God, they just “jump on the band-wagon” for the ride, or are looking for an argument. I say to such people, “Listen, I am happy to talk and discuss your problem, but if you are looking for an argument I’m just not interested.” Love them and help them as much as you can, but never be influenced or led by them, just disconnect graciously. 2. The right people will help you. When God has a job to be done, he seldom calls one person, He usually calls others to help to stand and support you. That means your willingness to reach for help isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strength. Paul spent an entire chapter in the New Testament acknowledging the people who helped him fulfil his vision. (Philippians 3:5). If you are wise, you will acknowledge that God hasn’t gifted you to do everything, so delegate, and work from your own core strengths. That takes humility on your part, but pays great dividends in the long run. Another valuable lesson we all must learn is to give up short-term gratification for long-term fulfilment. Paul bottom-lines his life and ministry in (1Philipians 2-16) ‘I know that my work and efforts were not useless’ Nothing in life is more important than the choices we make. See (Genesis 13:12) ‘Lot moved his tents to a place near Sodom’ and for a while he prospered, but in the end everything he worked for went up in smoke. In the next verse we read, The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him; ‘Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are – Northward, Southward, Eastward, and Westward for all the land which you see, I give to you.’Lot chose the easiest but wrong direction and lost. Abram relied on the Lord and took what was left, and won. Choices, choices, choices! When it comes to making choices make a habit of asking yourself these questions; How will this effect my character, my sense of self respect and confidence when I approach God in prayer? How will it affect my influence and respect with other people? How will it affect my family and those who are following in my footsteps? The Bible gives us the answer; (Hebrews 12:1-2) ‘Therefore as we are surrounded by such a huge crowed of witnesses to the life of Faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, and especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Thank you for reading “What to expect in life” As Bible believing Christians, we must keep our eyes and ears open to the Word of God DAILY, or we will miss what God has to say to us each day. This is so important I can’t emphasise it enough. Think about it 30 minutes a day spent with God, Reading His Word aloud and listening to Him; if you do, you will never hear those words:--”Depart from Me; I never knew you.” I challenge you to... Try it for a month and see the difference He will make in your life. “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing from the word of God.” I am praying for all who read this. God bless. Phaline. ----------------------------

76. Living successfully With God. Matthew 6:33

Some people think that God’s sole purpose is to save their Soul, help them become morally upright and spiritually mature and one day He’ll take them to Heaven to live with Him. Now, in a sense all that is true. But here’s what is not true – That God is not interested in your job, your health, your relationships, your finances or your dreams and goals because somehow those things are carnal, worldly and temporal. When you think like that, you “spiritualise” every promise you read in Scripture, and when you pray, you get to believe the only thing God wants you to do is to become more spiritual. Let’s look into scripture and see what God really says about this. The truth is, in fact, the exact opposite. Take a look at these scriptures (Joshua1:8, Isaiah 48:17), 3 John 2.). By maintaining that God plays no part in your achieving career success or financial security, you are contradicting His Word. And when you do that, you’re on dangerous ground, because then you are making yourself the sole source of your success, and the Bible calls that – “pride”. What Jesus taught is this; in (Matthew 6:31-33.“Do not worry, saying, What shall we eat? Or what shall we drink? Or what shall we wear? For after all these things The Gentiles (Who do not serve God) seek... For your Heavenly Father knows you need all these things. But seek first The Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” So let’s be clear on this, God wants us to succeed in life, work and play. For the right reason putting and keeping Him at the top of the list. Why? Because He knows best how to direct our lives, in any and every area, Spiritually, Physically, emotionally, intellectually or financially.-- Makes sense doesn’t it! In (Mark 8:36) Jesus says “What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and suffers the loss of his own soul.” And to drive home the point, He told a parable (story) about a rich man who died and went to hell, while a poor man on his doorstep went to heaven. He was making the point that nothing is more important than your salvation but, God also has a plan for your life, and he wants you to know that plan and succeed in life through it. In (3 John 2) we read; “I prey that you may prosper in all things… just as your soul prospers.) note the phrase ‘in all things’ that means your mental and physical health, your emotional well-being, your family relationships, your career and finances. All things means – all things. There’s not an area of your life that God is not interested in or that He wont get involved in when you seek, obey and honour Him. In The Old Testament (Deuteronomy 29:9) God said; ‘Keep the words of this Covenant, and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do’ and in The New Testament Jesus said in (Matthew 6;33)’But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you’ Aren’t you totally invested in the success of your children? When they succeed in life, don’t you celebrate with them? Well, as His redeemed child, your heavenly Father is invested in your success and celebrates it with you. So start praying and believing Him today for success in all your endeavours. How can you know God wants you to succeed in life? There are several reasons, I’ll zero in on just three of them. 1. Because He created you;--. In (Genesis 1:26) we read ‘Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness’ The words ‘image’ and ‘likeness’ are important. Think about it; we sometimes tell a child, ‘You are the image of your Mother or your Father” Now, because you are God’s supreme creation, He poured into you His mind, His power, His wisdom and everything else you need to succeed. Once you grasp the truth of that and begin to act on it, your outlook will be transformed. You will start thinking like a ‘no limit person.’ 2. Because you have worth.;-- Actress Ethel Waters who used to sing at the Billy Graham crusades said ‘I am Somebody, cause my God don’t make no junk!’ As the crowning achievement of God’s creation, you are the object of His attention and affection. The Psalmist wrote in (Psalm 139:17-18) “How precious are your thoughts about me Oh God, they can’t be numbered, I can’t even count them.” 3;--. Because everything God made was for you. “You made them rulers over the works of your hands: you put everything under their feet.” Does that mean God will simply drop success into your lap? No, God blessed them, and...said to them in (Genesis 1:28,)“Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it.” God has given you His authority and creative ability to succeed in whatever He calls you to do. So instead of thinking like a victim, start thinking like a victor. In Scripture, the word “success” simply means knowing and doing God’s will in your life. It’s that simple! For Joshua success meant entering The Promised Land, conquering it living there and enjoying all its blessings everyday, read what God told him; in (Joshua1:7-8) “Only be very strong and courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses my servant commanded you; not to turn from it to the right hand or to the left; that you may prosper wherever you go. This book of the law ,shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night that you may observe to do all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous and… you will have good success.” True success involves these three things; 1.Becoming what God wants you to be. 2 .Doing what God wants you to do. 3. Having what God wants you to have. While you achieve the goals He has set for your life, you become successful. As the renowned author and Lecturer Dale Carnegie once observed “success is getting what you want, Happiness is wanting what you get>”In their endless quest for achievement, some people become so greedy and grasping that they are never satisfied. And because they are always wanting more, they fail to enjoy what God has already given them. Real success isn’t a destination, it’s a journey, it’s a joy created by progress. It’s knowing that you’re on schedule when it comes to God’s assignment for your life. Thank you for reading these thoughts. I pray we all lead a successful life achieving the ultimate goal Our Heavenly Father has set for each of us. God Bless. Phaline.