How much time have you spent during your life being thankful that vengeance isn’t our task? Even before I began this series of theology blogs, I decided that Thursday posts would focus on thankfulness. Then, it was because I’d experienced how unpleasant life could be without thankfulness, and I wanted a somewhat regular reminder of
Because of eternal life I give thanks in the meantime. Yesterday I gave thanks for steady rain that watered the earth without flooding. I was also thankful to live in a solid building that kept me dry throughout the lengthy showers. I thanked God for the breeze that rang the wind chimes He allowed me to
Giving thanks for promises that will be kept effectively raises our awareness of God’s character. Isaiah 32 contains several promises that you might not have noticed in your studies before. “See, a king will reign in righteousness and rulers will rule with justice. Each man will be like a shelter from the wind and a
We adopt thankful behaviors for God is our reward . These are positive, practical, and beneficial for both believers and non-believers. Let’s concentrate on four things: hospitality, mercy, generosity, and kindness. Not surprisingly, they echo or embody the fruit of the Spirit. Matthew 10:41 pairs hospitality and reward. “Anyone who receives a prophet because he
How should we give thanks for victory? At first glance that looks like a really stupid question. Of course we should give thanks for victory. Who wouldn’t? Could it be possible that some ways might be wiser than others? Scripture is full of options. We can pray our thanks to God as Solomon did when
Live thankfully now and anticipate the future. In that sentence, I want to emphasize thankfully, and anticipate. Given that two days ago, it came out that the definition of future really means what happens after death, the events occurring at the end of this week, or in July, or next year are really all things
Focus on hope and live thankfully. They’re relatively simple words, but they can be a challenge during any swirl of dismaying events. Let’s go through them one at a time. Focus. For today, we’ll single out these phrases from Webster’s definitions: a state or condition permitting clear perception or understanding, and directed attention. On. Webster
Hope is a gift from God for sanctification. The idea seems more obvious now than it did six weeks ago, though it’s always been true. But, how shall we comprehend hope? Poet Emily Dickinson offers us some vivid imagery in her 314th poem: “Hope is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul And sings
Living thankfully for happiness during this virus is probably going to take more concentrated intention than it once did. However, I believe I can do it, and you can too. We woke up this morning, we could get up from our mattresses, see and hear people we love, and make plans. What gave you happiness before?
Thankful people value the knowledge God gives. By his grace, we hear the words of Wisdom. “Listen, for I have worthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right. My mouth speaks what is true for my lips detest wickedness. All the words of my mouth are just; none of them