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.

Gratitude Showing Appreciation is a Must

 

Gratitude

Showing Appreciation is a Must

Is there someone you need to thank God for?

  

Paul said it was not only a pleasure

to the show gratitude, but a must.

The Thessalonians were faithful

and it showed as they stood fast

in the time of hardship.

This insight into Paul’s prayer

reveals repeated thanks giving to God

for the faithfulness of the Thessalonians.

It makes me question…

How much am I

noticing the faithfulness of others?

How much time am I

thanking God for faithful people?

How much pleasure do I

take in the well doing of others?

 Paul’s overflowing thanks and gratitude

didn’t stop when he said

Amen and got off his knees.

Paul wrote a letter to the Thessalonians

to let them know how grateful he was.

Can you image

getting a letter like this?

Can you image

the encouragement to face life’s battles?

Can you image

taking the time out of your busy day

and getting excited about

the good works of others?

Taking the time to let God know

how special those faithful ones are?

How about taking the time to

type out an email

or log onto someone’s face book

to let them know you thank God for them.

Paul had no idea his letter

would have had such an impact on the world.

In the same way,

it is impossible for you to know

the impact your words of thanks giving will have.

 

  

 Scripture Reading

2 Thessalonians 1:3-4 THE MESSAGE

You need to know, friends,

that thanking God over and over for you

is not only a pleasure;

it's a must.

We have to do it.

Your faith is growing phenomenally;

your love for each other

is developing wonderfully.

Why, it's only right that we give thanks.

4 We're so proud of you;

you're so steady and determined in your faith

despite all the hard times

that have come down on you.

We tell everyone we meet

in the churches all about you.