Being thankful

Do you see what we've got? An unshakable kingdom! And do you see how thankful we must be? Not only thankful, but brimming with worship, deeply reverent before God. For God is not an indifferent bystander. Hebrews 12:28 The Message

How thankful are we today? I am guessing that there are things in your life, just like there are in mine, that you don't feel very thankful for. But I have learnt if we can lift our eyes and see past those things, there is plenty to be thankful for. Especially God's grace and strength which empowers us to indeed lift our eyes.

We pray that you'll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul - not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us. Colossians 1:11-12 The Message

I believe that being thankful opens the door to seeing more of God's plan for our lives. It is, as Psalm 100 says, like a password,

Enter with the password: "Thank you!"

Make yourselves at home, talking praise.

Thank him. Worship him.

For GOD is sheer beauty,

all-generous in love,

loyal always and ever.

Psalm 100:4-5 The Message 

He is a God who is always worthy of our thanks and praise. David knew that so well.

Thank you! Everything in me says "Thank you!"

Angels listen as I sing my thanks.

I kneel in worship facing your holy temple and say it again: "Thank you!"

Thank you for your love, thank you for your faithfulness;

Most holy is your name, most holy is your Word.

The moment I called out, you stepped in; 

you made my life large with strength.

Psalm 138:1-3 The Message

Question for today, are you able to find 20 things in your life that you are thankful for? Maybe it will only take you a few moments to think of 20 things, maybe it will be a challenge. However it is for you, give God thanks for those things in your life, and ask Him to keep showing you more.

He kneeled at Jesus' feet, so grateful. He couldn't thank him enough - and he was a Samaritan. Luke 17:16 The Message