Gratitude To the Elderly

Gratitude

To the Elderly

Our seniors have given their lives

working and raising families

to make life better for all of us.

Look around you

and see how many things you enjoy

because of them

and send a little gratitude their way.

I have always loved the elderly.

My grandparents were wonderful to me.

Sandy’s grandparents on her dad’s side

died before I knew her.

But her grandparents on her mother’s side

were wonderful to me, too.

Many people do not want to grow old.

I am not one of those people;

I have always dreamed about the golden years.

I have dreamed of coming to a place in life

where I am not working for a house payment.

A time where I can encourage love

on young people.

I look forward to being a blessing,

like my grandparents and other elderly people

have been to me.

I realize that not all elderly people

have a wonderful disposition.

Some of it is caused from their choices.

For many growing old is hard….

they worry and sometimes

medications effect their moods.

When the Apostle Paul writes to Timothy,

a young pastor,

he instructs him about the elderly.

He encourages Timothy and the church

to honor, respect and care for the elderly.

From the Message Bible,

we find we should do this out of gratitude.

Paul tells us that there are those

who lived a good life

and we should show

our gratefulness to them

by making sure they are cared for.

Children and grandchildren should especially

show their gratitude by making sure

the elderly family members are cared for.

Look around you….

much of what you and I see,

someone older than us contributed

in some way to it being there for us.

So let’s show our gratitude to them!

Scripture Reading

1 Timothy 5:1-8 THE MESSAGE

Don't be harsh or impatient with an older man.

Talk to him as you would your own father,

and to the younger men as your brothers.

2 Reverently honor an older woman

as you would your mother,

and the younger women as sisters.

3 Take care of widows who are destitute.

4 If a widow has family members to take care of her,

let them learn that religion begins at their own doorstep

and that they should pay back

with gratitude some of what they have received.

This pleases God immensely.

5 You can tell a legitimate widow

by the way she has put all her hope in God,

praying to him constantly

for the needs of others as well as her own.

6 But a widow who exploits people's emotions and pocketbooks

 — well, there's nothing to her.

7 Tell these things to the people

so that they will do the right thing in their extended family.

8 Anyone who neglects to care for family members

in need repudiates the faith.

That's worse than refusing to believe in the first place.

Gratitude Be a Choir Conductor

Gratitude

Be a Choir Conductor

Your gratitude can get others to sing

Praise to God!

We are entering the season of giving.

It is a time we think of those less fortunate.

1 Corinthians 9:12 tells us how to get a two-for-one.

When we give to the needs of Christians,

they in turn give praise to God.

Giving to the needs of poor Christians

not only brings praise to God,

but bountiful abundant praise.

The Greek meaning is “to fill up to the full.”

 I am sure you have seen it.

The joy on a person’s face

when they not only receive a gift

that makes life easier;

but the feeling they get

when that gift reminds them that God

has not forgotten them!

 Why do we do it?   

 Why do we give?

The answer is very simple.

Our hearts are filled with gratitude.

Gratitude can’t help itself.

Gratitude gives!

When gratitude gives,

voices of praise are lifted to God.

I know we are in tough times

and almost all of us have less

then we had 2 years ago.

What if we expressed our gratitude

for God’s love anyways?

What if we helped out

other fellow Christians in need?

I think we could form a choir

that could “fill to the full” heaven

with bountiful praise.

Become a choir director.

   You say why focus on Christians?

Because that is where God says we are to start.

When non believers see our gratitude

and care for each other,

they become attracted to the real deal.

And they, too, will join the choir.

 Scripture Reading

2 Corinthians 9:12-15 THE MESSAGE

12 Carrying out this social relief work

involves far more than helping meet

the bare needs of poor Christians.

It also produces abundant

and bountiful thanksgivings to God.

13 This relief offering is a prod

to live at your very best,

showing your gratitude to God

by being openly obedient

to the plain meaning of the Message of Christ.

You show your gratitude through your generous offerings

to your needy brothers and sisters,

and really toward everyone.

14 Meanwhile, moved by the extravagance of God in your lives,

they'll respond by praying for you

in passionate intercession for whatever you need.

15 Thank God for this gift, his gift.

No language can praise it enough!

Galatians 6:10 KJV

10 As we have therefore opportunity,

let us do good unto all men,

especially unto them

who are of the household of faith.

Gratitude When the Glass is Empty

Gratitude

When the Glass is Empty

 

When your glass is empty,

Set it under the promise.

God has an endless supply to meet your need.

 

All of us have heard the illustration of the glass.

Is it half empty?  

or, is it half full?

We also know that the glass can overflow;

or be empty.

The other day, I went to the funeral home

to comfort a friend we’ve known for over 30 years.

She has had two husbands that have died

and now within 19 days, two sisters.

 Her cup is normally full;

but yesterday, it was empty.

Another friend, we’ve had for over 35 years,

 has lost her job and lives with her daughter and son-in-law.

 Saturday her daughter’s adopted son

was coming home from college.

On the way home, his friend driving fell asleep at the wheel,

and Sam was thrown from the truck.

Head injuries leaves the family

with the fear that today might be Sam’s last.

Their glass was full;

but now it is empty.

The Apostle Paul writes to the church in Colossae (now Turkey);

he tells them to be on their guard and pray.

Be careful - everything in life is not good.

And yet, in the same breath,

he says do it with gratitude.

What is so amazing is Paul is writing from experience.

You see, Paul was in prison when he wrote that letter.

How about you?  Is your glass empty?

Does it seem like everything has been taken from you?

Then stand guard;

be defensive and pray!

Remember, God has the ability

and the desires to give you everything

you have need of for life and Godliness.

Scripture Reading

Colossians 4:2-4 The Message

Pray diligently.

Stay alert,

with your eyes wide open in gratitude.

3 Don't forget to pray for us,

that God will open doors

for telling the mystery of Christ,

even while I'm locked up in this jail.

Colossians 4:2-3 AMP

2 Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life],

being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving.

3 And at the same time pray for us also,

that God may open a door to us for the Word (the Gospel),

to proclaim the mystery concerning Christ (the Messiah)

on account of which I am in prison;

2 Peter 1:3-4 NIV

3 His divine power has given us everything we need

for life and godliness through our knowledge of him

who called us by his own glory and goodness.

4 Through these he has given us

his very great and precious promises,

so that through them

you may participate in the divine nature

and escape the corruption

in the world caused by evil desires.