COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

“The king rejoices in Your strength, Lord. How great is his joy in the victories You give!... Surely You have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with the joy of Your presence.”  (Psalm 21:1,6 NIV)

“Count your blessings” is a popular phrase I’ve never related well to. The moment I try to list all God has done for me, I realize how woefully short my efforts fall. I can thank Him for my salvation, for the blessings of home, relationships, work, and ministry. But I know His grace extends far beyond that. Even if I spent a week, I could hardly cover everything adequately. And when I came to an end, all I’d have would be a mechanical list -- the exercise itself would take the delight out of my praise.

Yet even joy-filled King David didn’t attempt to cram all God’s wonders in a single hymn. Though he rejoices throughout Psalm 21, he hardly describes everything God has done for him. The king’s adulation rings through much of the psalter -- as if he couldn’t contain it in one place or time. But his masterful adoration is more than a list of thank-yous. David knew a secret of thanks it took me a while to uncover. Real thanks are tied to the nature of God. Here David offers gratitude to his Lord for specific blessings in verses 1-6 and ends describing God’s eternal gifts. All the psalmist’s joy cannot be separated from his Master’s presence. Without God, the king understands, even the richest gain would be empty. To know God deeply is the greatest blessing of all, and intimate knowledge comes with a lifetime of loving Him.

So instead of detailing every benefit God provides, like David I’ll thank Him for a few big ones today and spend time basking in His love. As I look closely into my Lord’s face, I can’t help but delight in His presence. 

-- Pamela McQuade, from “Daily Wisdom to Satisfy the Soul,” published by Barbour Publishing, Inc. Used by permission.

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JESUS MEETS US ON THE WAY

“Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus Himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing Him… As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if He were going farther. But they urged Him strongly, ‘Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.’ So He went in to stay with them. When He was at the table with them, He took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him…” (Luke 28:13-16, 28-31a NIV)

There are times when all of us long for the companionship of Christ. When we are facing some deep loneliness that seems to darken the brightest day, some great sorrow that has broken our heart and changed our lives, or some heavy burden that comes through no action or fault of our own. At times like these we long for the presence of one who speaks our name, understands our plight, and can break the hold of loneliness, sorrow, despair, and burdens we bear.

There are other times when we are at the peak of our powers and all is going well that we want someone to walk with us, to share our challenge, excitement, and reward of the path we have chosen. We desire a companion who can appreciate the challenge and victory of life in the days when all is well.

There are still other times when we need a companion to whom we can say thank you. There are those times when we are overwhelmed with gratitude. We know that the goodness we enjoy is not just the result of our good work but that someone else had a hand in our well-being, comfort, and success.

At times like these it is good to remember that the risen Christ walks beside us – awaiting our invitation to stay with us, break bread with us, interpret life for us, give us hope, and share in our thanksgiving. May we, like the disciples before us, have our eyes opened to recognize Christ as He comes to walk beside us this day. 

-- Rueben P. Job in “A Guide to Prayer for All Who Seek God”

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A HEART FULL OF GRATITUDE

In Psalm 138:1, the psalmist declares, "Lord, I will thank You with all my heart; I will sing to You." This verse is a beautiful reminder of the importance of gratitude in our relationship with God. When we reflect on His kindness, faithfulness, and goodness, our hearts naturally overflow with thankfulness.

It's incredible to think that anyone could witness the countless blessings and mercies of God and remain unmoved. His kindness is evident in the small, everyday moments of our lives, as well as in the grand, life-changing events. His faithfulness is unwavering, even when we falter. And His goodness is a constant source of comfort and joy.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving, let's take a moment to pause and reflect on the ways God has shown His love and care for us. As we learn to thank God more and more, we will more and more see God in the little happenings of daily life, and increasingly see much about which to rejoice. Let our hearts be filled with gratitude, and let that gratitude be expressed in our words, actions, and songs of praise. When we thank God with all our hearts, we not only honor Him but also remind ourselves of His presence and provision in our lives. 

-- SOUND BITES Ministry™, compiled from a variety of sources 

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A THANKFUL HEART

“Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  (Ephesians 5:19-20)

A thankful heart is one of the primary identifying characteristics of a believer. It stands in stark contrast to pride, selfishness, and worry. And it helps fortify the believer's trust in the Lord and reliance of His provision, even in the toughest times. No matter how choppy the seas become, a believer's heart is buoyed by constant praise and gratefulness to the Lord. 

-- John MacArthur

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GIVING THANKS FOR GOD’S ENDURING LOVE

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever."  (1 Chronicles 16:34 and Psalm 136:1)

This verse is a powerful reminder of the unchanging nature of God's love and goodness. As we celebrate Thanksgiving this week in the U.S., it's a perfect time to reflect on the many ways God has shown His love and goodness in our lives.

Thanksgiving is more than just a holiday; it's an opportunity to pause and recognize the countless blessings we often take for granted. From the warmth of family gatherings to the provision of our daily needs, God's goodness is evident in every aspect of our lives. His love is not fleeting or conditional; it endures forever, providing us with a constant source of comfort and strength.

As we gather around the table this Thanksgiving, let's take a moment to express our gratitude to God. Let's thank Him for His unwavering love, His abundant blessings, and His faithfulness in every season of our lives. Let our hearts be filled with thanksgiving, not just on this special day, but every day, as we remember that His love endures forever.

May this Thanksgiving be a time of deep reflection and heartfelt gratitude, as we celebrate the goodness and enduring love of our Lord. 

-- SOUND BITES Ministry, compiled from a variety of sources

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THE DISCIPLINE OF GRATITUDE

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV)

Gratitude goes beyond the "mine" and the "thine" and claims the truth that all of life is a pure gift. In the past I always thought of gratitude as a spontaneous response to the awareness of gifts received, but now I realize that gratitude can also be lived as a discipline. The discipline of gratitude is the explicit effort to acknowledge that all I am and have is given to me as a gift of love, a gift celebrated with joy…

Gratitude as a discipline involves a conscious choice. I can choose to be grateful even when my emotions and feelings are still steeped in hurt and resentment. It is amazing how many occasions present themselves in which I can choose gratitude instead of a complaint. I can choose to be grateful when I am criticized, even when my heart still responds in bitterness. I can choose to speak about goodness and beauty, even when my inner eye still looks for someone to accuse or something to call ugly.

-- Henri J. Nouwen 

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