Gratitude in Affliction
by Charles Stanley
65
Do good to your servant according to your word, LORD.
66
Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I trust your commands.
67
Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.
68
You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees.
69
Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies, I keep your precepts with all my heart.
70
Their hearts are callous and unfeeling, but I delight in your law.
71
It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.
72
The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.
At Thanksgiving, we typically express gratitude for God's blessings. But did you ever consider thanking Him for something that doesn't seem like a blessing—such as a trying circumstance you want Him to remove or change? A grateful heart is most precious to God when, humanly speaking, our situations don't warrant giving thanks. By making four foundational decisions, we can begin to see the value of our adversities and respond with appreciation.
Believe and trust the Lord. Only by viewing life from a scriptural perspective can we understand His purposes in our trials and trust His wisdom in allowing them.
Accept the situation as coming from God—either directly sent or permissively allowed. If we truly believe He's working for our good (Rom 8:28-29), we can choose to receive each difficulty as coming from His loving hand. Then we can say "Thank You."
Submit to God in the circumstance. Although we may not like the situation, knowing that God "[is] good and does good" (v. 68) allows us to confidently place our lives under His authority.
Draw from Him the strength to endure. No one has the ability within himself to endure hardships with gratefulness. Only by relying on the Lord can believers go through adversity with an appreciative heart.
Now, think about that circumstance you would like changed, and with a new mindset, offer this prayer to God: "Lord, I accept this situation as coming from You. In faith and trust, I place myself under Your loving authority, and draw from You the strength I need to endure with gratitude."
From Dr. Charles Stanley
=============================================
How You Can Help Shake the World for Christ
by Dr. Jack Graham
I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.
1 Corinthians 1:10
Today is Black Friday… a day when people who have camped out in front of stores overnight wait for them to open so they can get good deals on Christmas gifts. If you’ve ever been to a store on Black Friday, you know how crazy it can get… people grabbing and clawing like crazy to get their hands on the next great deal!
I think we can safely say this day is usually not marked by a spirit of Christian unity, even though it’s supposed to kick off the Christmas season. But despite how divisive you may see shoppers act on the evening news, I’ve been so encouraged in recent years at the level at which unity is happening among believers.
One big reason for this, I believe, is simply because people are more willing than ever to agree on what’s important and lay aside the non-negotiables of the faith. We have differing views on issues like the process of sanctification and the second coming of Jesus, but are unified when it comes to the very important things like salvation by faith alone and the deity of Christ.
So when it comes to people from other stripes of our faith, be quick to find areas of agreement. A unified church is a powerful church, and it’s the kind of church Jesus wants us to be. Put aside petty differences and let the church shake the world for Christ!
HELP THE CHURCH SHAKE THE WORLD BY WORKING TOGETHER WITH PEOPLE ACROSS THE SPECTRUM OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH.
No comments:
Post a Comment