“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 43:5 NIV

Ann almost shouted when she said, “Praise the Lord!”

This practice was not uncommon for my coworker. Neither was the phrase, “Thank you, Jesus!” She freely gave credit and glory to the Lord, no matter where she was. Her praise could be about little things or something big on her heart. She recognized God’s goodness and His hand in the everyday circumstances of life.

I, however, tend to whisper praise under my breath unless with family or friends. Then, I’m a bit more vocal with my gratitude.

Praise God when things are good.

That’s pretty easy if we remember. When things are going smoothly, relationships are good, health is excellent, and nothing is broken, we should give thanks and praise the Lord. But sometimes, we get complacent and take things for granted. Often, we forget that these things are the answers to our prayers.

Praise God when things are not so good.

Praise God anyway. We have good reasons to hope. We can thank God that He hears our prayers, knows our problems, and works to provide in many ways: a temporary job, housing, transportation, medication, doctors, helpers, repair technicians. He grants favors and blessings in big, little, and unique ways.

The Bible gives us instructions and examples about praise and thanksgiving. King David rejoiced, thanked God, and danced for joy before the people. He unashamedly expressed awe and reverence. Although David did many notable things, he also greatly sinned and paid the price for it. Yet, he still worshipped and praised God.

Reflect on recent days and consider how God worked in your situations, even if you didn’t notice it then. Recall the unexpected blessings that lifted your spirit. Journaling these things will encourage you. Then, praise God.

Whether you experience good things or not, praise God because He always works for our best and inhabits the praises of His people.

by Karen Huffaker
used by permission

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“What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?”
James 2: 14 (NLT)

Please read James 2:14-26. I read an amazing quote the other day, and I would like to share it with you in regards to this scripture.  “God blesses us because we respond to Him, not as a response to our good works.”

I posted this scripture because I see to often a trend that is misunderstood. Somehow, new believers have come under the impression that they must start doing good works, and that this will please God. That God will know they are not the same sinner they were before by their good works now.

As a body of Christ, I feel we have not really taught this very well. All to often we are happy to see an increase of volunteers without fully seeing where their hearts may be. All to often our new volunteers get burnt out or fall away, because they misunderstood how and why we do good works.

James writes here, “what good is faith without action?” This is a true, as true gets. Yet, we do not prove our faith by our actions. Our faith is in our belief, our surrendering of ourselves to Jesus. There is no proof, other than what God sees in our hearts. Our good deeds do not make us more faithful; our faith leads us into action.

Faith and true belief must be established first. If it is not, we are working from our flesh to perform these good works we are doing it without God. We are doing it to show others around us and to show God we can change…and folks, this is just not the way it is. We can’t change on our own. We can only change by the blood Jesus has shed for us, it is Him inside of us, that is leading us to change. Doing good works out of your faith in Christ is not a New Year’s resolution (something we can do on our own will power), it is a way of life.

Once we are in full faith, and belief, and trust in God, He will guide us towards the good works He would like us to do. I often feel a pull, or a tug, or even sometimes a push from His Holy Spirit in me, to do a good work. This is the response to God, and by which we as well as others around us are blessed by God.

Father, I pray today that we are working in response to You Lord. I pray that we are not working from our own strength or our own will, but that we are working as a result of You stirring in us a desire to do something. I pray that we are working by the power of Your Holy Spirit in us, that it is You doing the work, and us being a vessel of Your love. Help us as a body of Christ, Lord, to share this with other brothers and sisters. Let us not be so quick to accept new help without understanding where their hearts are. Let us take time to teach Your living word, so others may be strengthened by it, and it becomes alive in their lives as well as ours. We ask all of this in the mighty name Jesus, Amen

Question: Have you been living a works-based or faith-based life of salvation?

by Rev. Daniel Forster
Used by permission

FURTHER READING

Walking with Jesus

Jesus Christ Never Changes

Where Do Your Works Come From?

If  you don’t have a relationship with Jesus, you can learn how to start one at this link:
https://thoughtsaboutgod.com/four-lawsghtsaboutgod.com/blog/

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“Children are a blessing and a gift from the LORD.” Psalm 127:3 (CEV)

It struck me that if children are a blessing from the Lord, then God must actually be looking upon us as blessings too! Since we are “His children God is our Heavenly Father” God also views us as a blessing to Himself.

I know some days my children are blessings. Just recently, a simple “thank you” from our kindergartener made me smile. When she saw the impact her words had on me, she quickly asked, “Mommy, did that just lift your spirits up, up, up?”

There are many simple things that make my heart sing: I am blessed when our children, “brother and sisters” treat each other with Love and respect. I am blessed when they are kind to friends and neighbors. I am blessed when they share well. I am blessed when they remember good manners. I am blessed when they are thankful and not just consumed with their own needs. I am blessed when they are obedient. I am blessed when they learn and grow into new skills. In the same way, our Father in Heaven is blessed when we, His children, do these simple things.

Reflect:
Knowing that God loves you unconditionally, take a few moments and ask God to show you how you bless Him. How can I bless the heart of my Father today?

Prayer:
Dear Father, help me be a blessing to You and Your Kingdom. Help me love others and treat everyone with kindness and respect. Help me live a life that makes Your heart sing.

By Idelette McVicker
used by permission

FURTHER READING

• God’s Creation
• Be Blessed, Beloved Child
• No Child Ever Leaves God’s Sight\

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“Jesus asked, ‘Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?’” Luke  17:17- 18

“Gratitude recognizes that a gift has been given, a favor has been done by someone. There is a gift and a giver. But there is more. Gratitude also calls for a response to that gift. We thank the giver with an expression of appreciation — a handshake, a hug, a note. A gesture of gratitude completes the exchange, closes the circle, lets the love flow back to the giver.” — Don Postema, Space for God.

I needed to read that quote. It was an “ah-ha” moment for me — it made so much sense. Many gifts I have given in the past have left me with a sense of emptiness because I never heard back if the gift was appreciated or not.  The circle was not closed — I didn’t feel love flow back from the recipient of my gift.

But there have also been so many times when I have not taken the time to thank the giver of a gift for me. Those who gave me a gift would have likewise felt empty because I didn’t take the time to let them know the gift was appreciated.

How often do we take all the blessings and gifts from the Lord for granted — we almost feel entitled to them. Far too many times.

You may relate to this thought. I encourage you to say this prayer with me.

Lord, thank You, for You are the giver of so many beautiful gifts. I thank You for them all.  Enable me to remember to thank You and thank others when they give a gift of kindness. Cause me to express my gratitude. Let the circle of love close — let love flow back to the giver. Amen.

By Katherine Kehler
Used by Permission

Further Reading

•   Thanksgiving for What God Has Done

•   The Generosity Habit

•  Salvation Explained

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“..the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name”  Ephesians  3:14-15

Spiritual blessings begin with a revelation of God as Abba Father. Be blessed with a love relationship with Him. He wants you to know Jesus personally and grow in Him. Be blessed to desire righteousness that conforms you to the will and ways of God. He wants to give you holy joy in abiding in Him.

Be blessed with emotional blessings. Jesus is your healer of emotions. He releases healing to remove rejection, failure, and shame. Choose forgiveness for yourself and others. Be blessed with peace and joy to replace fear and anxiety (Matthew. 10:13) because God never fails. In Him you can have strong hope to believe Him for His promises.

Be blessed with knowing your personal value in Christ. You are of great worth to your heavenly Father. Let Him show you how He sees you in His Son. Receive His favor and His heart for you.

Be blessed with right relationships with others. Let God direct you to right loyalties and wholesome friendships that encourage your life with Him. May you live in healthy community with others.

Be blessed with mental blessing to remove blinders of deception from your mind, so that you will know the truth and have godly wisdom and discernment, knowing good and doing it.

Be blessed with God’s health and safety for all physical needs. Lean in to God’s strength and protection.

Be blessed in all your labors that God has authored. May your work or studies prosper in the provision of His hands. Acknowledge that He is your source and provider.

I pray blessings. I speak blessings. I choose to be a blessing.

By Sylvia Gunter
Used by Permission
From:  Blessing For Life: Word Of Hope and Healing

Further Reading

•   God is my Delight

•  HE IS!  A great poem

•  Salvation Explained

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The post Seven-fold Blessing appeared first on Thoughts About God.

Psalm 16

You are kept and protected by God for He is your refuge. Choose to put your trust in God and hide yourself in Him.

Be blessed to rejoice in your Lord. You have no good beside or beyond Him.

You are one of the saints of God.  You are excellent and glorious. You are the noble one in whom is all of God’s delight.

The Lord alone is your chosen and assigned portion and your cup. He holds and maintains your future.  Be blessed to rest in His security.

The boundary lines have fallen for you in pleasant places. Surely you have a delightful inheritance.

Be blessed to praise the Lord, who counsels you. Let your spirit receive His instruction even in the night seasons

May you always keep your eyes on the Lord. With God at your right hand, you will not be shaken or moved.

Because of His greatness may your soul be glad and your spirit rejoice. May your body rest and confidently dwell in safety.

Be blessed with assurance that God will not abandon you nor will He let you see decay.

Be filled with the joy of God’s presence. He will make known to you the path of life. At His right hand there are pleasures forevermore.

By Sylvia Gunter
Used by Permission
from: Blessings For Life: Words Of Hope And Healing.
© Sylvia Gunter, 2017

Further Reading

•  Stepping Into a Personal Revival
•   Get Wise
•  Salvation Explained

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The post Blessing from Psalm 16 appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Lord, you are to be blessed and praised;
All good things come from you:
You are in our words and in our thoughts,
And in all that we do.   Amen”
St Teresa of Avila

How often do we think like St Teresa?  Knowing absolutely that everything we are saying and doing comes from God?  I know, speaking for myself  that it is not easy to praise and feel blessed when things are not going well, especially when I find myself faced with the problems and trials of everyday living.  It is very easy to count blessings and see God in everything when things are going well and going the way we wish them to, but it is so hard to feel blessed and want to praise when they aren’t.

One of the things that I have learned to do when things seem the darkest is to look around me and see the many blessings that are right there beside me.  The blessing of sunshine, the rain falling on parched land, the excited voices of small children playing, the many colors of the flowers or trees that are so close to me,  or even the food that will sustain me throughout the days that are to come.  If I am lucky enough to be near the ocean all I have to do is look far out to the horizon and realize that God is to be blessed and praised and that just as He is in midst of the tides He is also in me.  There are so many blessings around us and all we have to do is recognize them.

Blessed One, sometimes it is hard for me to see the blessings that are all around me.  Enable my eyes to be opened to the beauty and the joys that surround me.  Help me to see the blessings in every situation and respond with thanks and praise, just as St Teresa did.  Amen

Receive the blessings and guidance that God is offering you and give thanks.  Even if you don’t feel like praising, or you feel God’s presence and his blessings are far away, simply sit and feel His presence which is one of the most beautiful blessings.  He will understand.

by Terry Stead
Used by Permission

Further Reading

•  How to be fill with the Holy Spirit
•  Stepping Into a Personal Revival
•  Salvation Explained

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“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” Psalm 20:7  (Read all of Psalm 20.)

My friend moved to palliative care. She was dying. The Psalms comforted her as she prepared to meet Jesus and grieved leaving her family.

Often, we turn to the Psalms when our souls are hungry, thirsty, and needing comfort. They provide words to express what is going on inside of us. When I want to bow down in worship, I turn to Psalm 100.  When I feel afflicted and need protection I turn to
Psalm 27. When I want to remind myself of God’s presence, I read Psalm 139.  When I am in distress, I read Psalm 18. Do you have a favorite Psalm?

When I want to send a blessing, I offer Psalm 20. So today, I offer you Psalm 20. “Times of trouble” come to everyone — during those times, may the LORD answer your cry. May His name protect you. May He send you the help you need. May He strengthen your whole psabeing. May He tell you that He knows your name and remembers everything you have sacrificed for Him.

May He answer you and bless you with your heart’s desires. May He grant you success as you strive to follow Him. He alone has the power to rescue you. Some people trust many things to save them, but let us boast in the LORD our God. May we rise up and stand firm.

O LORD, answer our cry for help! Hear the desires of our heart. Thank You that you have all the power and strength we need. We deliberately put our trust in You to act on our behalf. Help us rise up and stand firm in You. Amen.

By Donna Mitchell
used by permission

FURTHER READING

•  Eternal Love – a Poem
•  God, Our Source of Life

Learn more about knowing Jesus at: https://thoughtsaboutgod.com/four-laws/

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Some years back as I was driving my daughter Andrea to middle school, she noticed I was anxious.

“Why are you so quiet, Dad?”

I told her I was worried about a book deadline.
She asked me,

“Haven’t you written other books?”  “Yes,” I replied.
“How many?” At that point the answer was fifteen.

She responded,

“have you ever missed a deadline before?” “No,” I said.
“So God helped you fifteen times already?” “Yes,”

I winced. She was sounding like her mother.

She reasoned further,

“if he has helped you fifteen different times, don’t you think he will help you this time?”

Satan has no recourse to your testimony! Your best weapon against his attacks is a good memory. Don’t forget a single blessing! 1 Corinthians 6:20 says,

“You have been bought with a price. You belong to God.” God’s message for you?

Remember whose you are. Live out your inheritance!

By Max Lucado
used by permission
From: Glory Days

To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:
https://maxlucado.com/about/

FURTHER READING

How to Spend a Day With the Lord

Hearing God’s Voice – a Study by Charles Stanley

Learn more about knowing Jesus at: https://thoughtsaboutgod.com/four-laws/

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