Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me.
Psalms 103:2 (NIV)
Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
You must never forget the one who put you there. The one who bought you out of darkness into the marvelous light. In a situation where God has shown true faithfulness and exercised his right to fix our situations, it is easy to forget the prior hardships and act as though we did it ourselves, or we simply forget to say "thank you", as if we were entitled to the blessings we've received. We act as though God was SUPPOSED to fix certain things, and that's just not the case. God is not our puppet. He doesn't do things for us strictly because we want Him to. He does these things because He loves us, and as a great Father, he wants to make us happy...however, He gets offended when we loose gratitude. God has feelings just as we do, but I'm sure His feelings are intensified since He is the creator of everything, feelings and all. He feels hurt and pain in ways that we couldn't imagine.
How do you feel when you do something nice for someone, out of the kindness of your heart and they don't seem thankful...in that moment when people act as though what you did was something you had to do, instead of something you did by choice, as if you were not deserving of a simple "thank you".
Isn't that the worst???? Just super ungrateful and rude in action...
Well, this is exactly how God feels. When we don't thank Him for things we often take for granted like air/oxygen in our lungs, beating hearts, stuff that is absolutely necessary for our lives, but that we just don't think about until its gone. We hear it all the time that we should be thankful just that we rose this morning, clothed in our right minds, but someone LITERALLY did not rise this morning. We are NOT entitled to the life we live. Everyday is a true blessing. The mere fact that you are able to read this blog is enough for you to give God some praise! Do you know that there are still people in 2012 that can't read????
God is like "really... you really think you're entitled to the many blessings I give you? Do you not know that at any moment, I can shut it down...shut off the oxygen supply, and ALL."
Thankfully, God is gracious (unlike man) and He does all of these things because He loves us. He definitely likes to hear "thank you" because He says so in His word.
Psalm 100:4
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 (NIV)
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Let us Remember that God doesn't have to honor any of our prayers, nor are we entitled to His blessings. Let us take a moment to say thank you...Thank you God for EVERYTHING. Everything you can think of!
Let me be honest, I'm real bad about giving thanks for my food before I eat. Lots of time, I'm super ravished before I sit down to eat, and I scarf down my food without saying, "thank you for this food, God". I actually just ate, and I forgot to bless my food...I repent right now, and I say, "Thank you God, for the food I already ate..."
I will make a conscious effort from this moment forward to not eat before I give thanks. Even Jesus gave thanks to God before they broke bread at the Last supper.
Matthew 26:26 (NIV)
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”
I had to repent for there is no excuse. God is working double time on our behalf and He's working out those seemingly impossible situations out for our good, When the Father delivers you, and closes some doors on some horrid things, don't lose your humility, remember the one who bought you out. Give thanks, give glory, honor, and praise every time you think about it because it is not by our own doing, but by the blood of Jesus and the grace that is sufficient in our lives. It is by grace that we have made it this far. I just thank God for Jesus, and for His grace and mercy!
Reflect on this scripture:
Ephesians 2:5 (Amp)
Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved ([a]delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation).
If you do not know Jesus, follow the steps in Romans 10:9
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Also, If you haven't already, please check out Journey to Destiny's new web site!
journeytodestinymini.wix.com/jtdm
There is a spot for you to send comments, and prayer requests! We are here for you! Be encouraged!!! :~)
I love you, but God lovess you wayyyyy more!
~Ximena
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