There’s an abundance of blessing that happens when we verbalize our gratefulness and proclaim God’s wonders. We can be grateful in our heads, but when we tell others of the great things He has done, it’s as if we are drawing back curtains and letting His light beam into our hearts to warm us. We were designed to praise Him and proclaim His goodness. When we do, we are blessed beyond measure!

Reflection

Takes some time to make a list of as many blessings as you can that you have from God. Begin sharing some those things with the people God has placed in your life. Take notice of how it impacts your attitude and theirs.

Prayer

Father, You are so good and You bless us abundantly. May we never grow tired of proclaiming Your wonders to others. Fill our hearts with gratitude and our lips with praise. Conform us in the image of Your Son Jesus, Amen!

The word of Christ.  One of the reason I love to go to church is that our Pastor teaches directly from scripture. He’s not seeking to tickle our ears with a nice uplifting message. Instead, he spends hours during the week working to understand the original author’s message and then listening to God for how to share with all of us.  He preaches the full word of God.  He doesn’t skip over the tough parts or hop from topic to topic.  We must desire and allow the word of Christ to dwell richly in us; for it is the source of our wisdom. 

Teaching and Admonishing. None of us have attained a place of complete knowledge of God. Every step we take toward knowing Him opens our eyes to a new depth of how much of Him we have yet to understand. We forget, lose focus, and even willfully disregard our Father in heaven.  We need to be taught and reminded who God really is, what He has done, and what He is capable of. We need our brothers and sisters in Christ to do so.   To receive this we must open ourselves to relationship with them.  Finding a local body of mature believers and seeking Christ together is critical to your walk with God. 

Singing with Thankfulness. There’s something about a song that can burn in your brain and teach you for many years going forward.  Our hearts were designed for praise and song.  Our lips long to sing of His great mercies and shout of His excellence.  Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs have the power to refocus our eyes where they belong.  Singing with thankfulness together is a powerful medicine that is meant to be taken daily. 

So what is a Sunday morning like?   It is a body of believers that seeks hard after Jesus, that He (the living Word) would dwell richly in them.  Through the wisdom of His word, they teach and admonish one another through Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.  It is a place of love and powerful worship and I am blessed!

Reflection

What is your church like?

Is God’s word the rudder that steers your church?

Is it a place of teaching and admonishing?

Do you thankfully sing His praises?

Prayer

Father, we thank You that You have given us a body of believers to worship with even if we haven’t found them yet.  Lord I ask that Your people would see their need for one another and that You would provide a place for all those that are worshipping You from afar; apart from the body. Draw them together that they may grow and carry out Your great mission.  In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!

We must put away the old and fully embrace the new.  Replacing all filthiness and improper talk; making no provision for the flesh. Instead, we embrace the purity of Christ and with grateful heart let our lips be filled with thanksgiving and praise. 

The world would take notice if we as Christians would carefully use every word for His glory rather than letting whatever come out of our mouths like a firehouse.  Not only would it take notice, but it would be blessed and uplifted. 

Reflection

Where, when, and with whom are you most likely to have improper talk?

Ask God to help you change the manner in which you speak; replacing sarcasm and filthy talk with thanksgiving. 

Prayer

Father, help us to remain focused on You in all things, especially in our speech.  For we know that it is not what goes into the man that defiles him, but what comes out of him.  May our words, actions, and thoughts be pleasing in your sight.  In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Paul came to realize that the real blessing isn’t the gift itself, but the knowledge and confidence that what God faithfully provides through Jesus is enough to get him through no matter the physical need or circumstances.  God’s provision in Christ cannot be compared with the physical needs we have in any moment, yet God in His great mercy chooses to meet those as well. 

What and amazingly merciful God we have that is able to patiently teach us this truth.  Most of us rarely go without anything. Some of us know what it is to scrounge for a meal.  All of us have been given everything we need in Christ. This provision is greater than any other found in the physical realm.  Let us not miss the fullness of the phrase:

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength ~ Philippians 4:13

Reflection

For which is greater;  to learn to be completely content and strengthened in Christ or temporarily  satisfy our physical needs?  We must master the demands of our flesh and put them in their proper place.  When we do, we see the real provision God has given us through His Son Christ and we ovegrflow with joy in all circumstances. 

Am I content with what God has apportioned to me?

What needs distract you from seeing what God is providing for you in Christ Jesus?

Ask yourself, “Do I really believe that I have all I need in Christ?”

Prayer

Heavenly Father and Great provider, You seek to show me my heart’s deepest need and are teaching me that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  Your provision in Christ is all I need. Write that truth upon my heart with your permanent marker of Love. May Your truth be the fuel of every thought and may our response be lips filled with praise.  We lift all of this in stour Son, Jesus, Amen!

As we celebrate Thanksgiving today, I’m reminded that I’m most thankful that my Savior is with me during times of smooth sailing and times of prolonged storms.   

Read Acts 27:1-44

1) What observations did you make (who,what,where,why,when, and how?)

2) What challenges or questions need to be answered to fully understand the text?

3) What is the main theme?

4) What is the application to the original readers?

5) How does this passage apply to believers today and you personally?

Hoping you have an amazing time of Thanksgiving today.  For those processing through difficult times today, we can always give thanks for our Savior who walks with us through these difficult times. Praise God for His faithfulness!