1 Thessalonians 5:18
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus!
Pastor Jill Briscoe from Elmbrook church talks on being really thankful.
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"GRATITUDE"
Watch and decide for yourself if these people in the video below have something to be thankful for or not? Or were these things all just mere luck?
I truly believe God was watching over each of them! I call that Amazing Grace!
When was the last time you recall being thankful for your eye site? or any other part of your body that we sometimes take for granted?
Like my Mother used to always tell me, "Things could be worse" and
"We should be thankful for the cross we bear now,
because things could be worse."
Jesus Christ give up His life for your salvation, but many men and women in the US military did the same but for our freedom. See the list of those who died for our freedom.
America has surely been blessed, view the original version of the famous American song God Bless America
Learn more about how to be more thankful?
When someone says, "Thank you," for something that you give them,
don't you feel more inclined to give them something again?
When we Thank God for his blessings, It works in a similar way.
“You don’t have to know a drowning person to save their life.”
Would you be thankful?
So here’s the question: how soon should the Gospel be introduced in a relationship with someone?
Looking at Jesus and His ministry, many times He spoke directly to people in their first encounter. A few examples:
- The woman at the well
- Nicodemus
- Legion – He cast the devil out of him during their first meeting. Jesus called people to follow Him with no relationship at all. (It doesn’t appear that He even had introduced Himself fully yet.)
- Paul had a similar pattern in his witness.
Paul preached immediately after his salvation.
Paul was beaten and suffered as a result.
Paul confronted strangers in Athens, in Macedonia, in much of what was recorded in Acts.
1. Sharing the Gospel takes boldness.
The Spirit must fill us with His passion and power. If you and I are honest, our reluctance to preach the Gospel may just be a case of being a people pleaser or even being ashamed of the Gospel.
2. Sharing the Gospel produces persecution.
It’s much easier to say nothing. If the Apostles would have only done community service or waited on tables they would not have been persecuted as severely. If they hated Him they will hate us. We are an aroma of life to the saved and an aroma of death to those who are perishing.
3. Sharing the Gospel produces faith.
Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. No preaching means lack or or no faith. In order for others to believe they are going to have to hear the Gospel some how.
How good do you need to know the other person?
It is obvious that building relationships is important. That is a fact, but remember that you do not have to know the person that is drowning before you save their life, right?
Many times it takes many times hearing the Gospel to be saved. For me, I knew about God since I was a little boy, and heard stories of how Jesus came to save me a sinner. But I needed to hear this when my heart and mind were ready to accept it fully.
Also there is wisdom in knowing when we should speak to people about Christ and how we can maximize the impact of our witness. Yes there are times when we share good news with others that they do not want nothing to do with it.
Some people say that “We must earn the right to be heard.” As much as I tried to understand what he really meant I couldn’t help but think that according to the Scripture, Jesus earned that right for me as well. We preach in the authority and righteousness He earned through His life and death.
In fact if a person’s eternal soul is at stake then we should have some sense of urgency in our efforts. Remember once again, you don’t have to know a drowning person to save their life. After that drowning person is saved, don't you think that person that was drowning would be thankful! It works in the same way with a person being saved spiritually.
View all of our many Encouraging Books
The Gift of Gratitude is a little book with a big message. You can read it in a few minutes but its impact will last a life time.
If hardship or disappointment has stolen your joy it will restore your hope and cause you to fall in love with life all over again.
Embrace the gift of gratitude and you will find the joy that eludes almost everyone else. It is like a butterfly - the harder you try to catch it, the more elusive it becomes. Find the attitude of graditude in your life.
But if you live with a thankful heart it will find you; it will light on your shoulder.
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