HOW TO BLESS THE LORD IN SEASONS OF TESTING & BLESSING

Are you more likely to remember the Lord when things are good or bad? Throughout my years in ministry I have asked this question to many people.  Some seem to forget the Lord when things are good and suddenly remember when things fall apart. Others seem to remember the Lord when things are good, but panic when things go bad. The results seem to be evenly mixed. 

WHAT FOLLOWS THANKFULNESS?

When the seasons turn to fall, I tend to become reflective about life. This year, my reflections have been upon God’s intention to relate to me personally. Am I available to relate to him? Recently, I have noticed that thankfulness seems to be one of the simplest, yet important factors of entering into his presence (“Receiving the Gift of Thankfulness”). For the last few weeks I have challenged myself, my family and faith community to a “Thankfulness Challenge”.

Reflecting on thankfulness has led to the Psalms. While meditating on what David has written about thankfulness, I have discovered an interesting relationship between thanks and praise,

5 GIFTS OF THANKFULNESS

Mere religion is not attractive to God. Religion doesn't satisfy anyone who has tasted the goodness of the Lord. God's intention has always been to relate to us personally. Recently, I have noticed that thankfulness seems to be one of the simplest yet important factors of entering into his presence.

In the Psalms, David continually calls us to "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good and his steadfast love endures forever" (Psalm 107:1). This frequent call to thankfulness gives an insight to David's heart. No wonder God cherished his heart the way he did.