PowerPoint - Dec. 14, 2007

December 14, 2007

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

--1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

I’d like to point out a few key words in today’s verses… “give thanks in all circumstances.”

It’s easy to give thanks to God and have a grateful heart when things are going well in your life. But the hard part is being thankful when life gets hard!

I believe having a thankful response in all circumstances starts with having an appropriate perspective. It’s easy to become narrow in your outlook and forget the big picture. When we become so focused on ourselves and our problems, the problem usually ends up being a lot bigger than it should be.

So today… I encourage you to take your eyes off your problems and, instead, look to God. Say a prayer of thanks to Him that He has created you and given you life… and look at today as a gift from God to start fresh.

As it says in Lamentations, “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

Most often, we can’t change our circumstances… but we can change our response to difficult times. If you allow every trial and tribulation to become an opportunity to thank God, He will always show up! When we come into the presence of God and sing praises to Him… He is always there!

God inhabits the praises of His people and can change your entire perspective on whatever it is you may be facing today.

having a thankful response in all circumstances starts with having an appropriate perspective.