" MUCH OBLIGED "

Top Of The Morning To You,

I sincerely want you to know that I'm obliged that you stopped by. This week we are going to be looking into the art of being thankful. So saddle up and let's hit the trail towards thankfulness.

Thank those who have helped you along the way, but remember to praise God for his care and protection. In all areas of life we should show our THANKFULNESS. THANKSGIVING should be an integral part of our praise to God. As we praise and thank God for material and spiritual blessings, we should also thank him for answered prayer. Remember when you asked God for protection, strength, comfort, patience,love, or other special needs, and he supplied them? Beware of taking God's provision and answered prayer for granted.

Four elements of true thanksgiving are found in the psalms. (1) Remembering what God has done, (2) Telling others about it, (3) Showing God's glory to others and (4) gifts of self, time, and resources. If you are thankful your life will show it. Praise and thanksgiving should be a regular part of our routine, not reserved only for celebrations. Praise God continually, and you will find that you won't take his blessings for granted.

How do we give thanks in everything? Please understand that we do not have to thank God for everything that happens to us, but in everything. Evil does not come from God, so we should not thank him for it. But when evil strikes, we can still be THANKFUL for God's presence and for the good that he will accomplish through the distress. During the Thanksgiving holiday,we focus on our blessings and express our gratitude to God for them. But thanks should be on our lips every day. We can never say thank you enough to parents, friends, leaders, and especially to God. When thanksgiving becomes an integral part of your life, you will find that your attitude toward life will change. You will become more positive, gracious, loving, and humble.

Until Next time...

Jim