James 1:17 "Every
good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of
lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."
Philippians 4:6 "do
not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."
The idea of thanksgiving becomes an automatic practice for
the child of God. While we may often
forget to tell God "thank you,"
the very lifestyle of Christians should show they are a thankful being
toward their gift-giving God. We readily
admit we would be in a hopeless condition were it not for God's provisional
nature toward us. That's why we thank
him for our food, our homes, our families, and on and on to include everything
we are and everything we have. He is a
loving God whose love toward us is seen daily in the abundance of blessings he
provides.
Are there times when you feel God has shorted you,
especially in the "blessings" department? We see our neighbor prospering and having
things we have longed to have. He drives
a better car, wears nicer clothes, takes more vacations, and another list goes
on and on.
What is it, you want right now, that you want to ask God to
provide? Here is your chance. Make a wish list. Let me help you, by making a list of some
things that I have personally wished for.
New truck, new house, a complete new wardrobe, a big fat
bank account, a bass boat, fame, an iPad, safety and health for my family, Caribbean
cruise, a trophy buck in my gun sights,
(I could keep making this list forever!)
Does your wish list look anything like mine?
I was on a roll with my list, then I thought about a quote I
read earlier today. It goes like this:
"What you take
for granted, someone else is praying for. What if you woke up tomorrow with
only the things you thanked God for yesterday?" OUCH!
Look back to the top of the page and read, really read and
absorb the two Bible verses. And there
is one more verse I wish to share with you.
It's from Philippians 4:11-13 and the pen of our old friend, Paul:
"I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how
to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of
living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with
plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me
strength. "
Someday I may have
everything on my wish list. On the other
hand, my earthly life may come to an end before I have anything from the
list. That teaches me to be content with
what I have, knowing all gifts are from God, and it is he who calls me to do
everything through Christ, who gives me strength. While that makes my wish list "not so
important," it enriches my life for God when I know he is my source for
all things.
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