The idea of having an “attitude of gratitude” has been around for a while. It’s biblical!
In 1 Thessalonians 5.16-21 (CEB) we hear: 6 Rejoice always. 17 Pray continually. Give thanks in every situation because this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Don’t suppress the Spirit. 20 Don’t brush off the Spirit-inspired messages, 21 but examine everything carefully and hang on to what is good. 22 Avoid every kind of evil
In his book, Recovering Abundance, author Andy Stanton-Henry discusses the concept of gratitude as foundational to our lives personally and as a community of believers:
I believe that anytime we practice gathering our resources, lifting them up, and giving thanks, we see them differently. We see them through the lens of gift and gratitude. Gratitude transforms our way of seeing people, places, and things. Before giving thanks, we look at what we have as products to be sold, purchased, or consumed. After giving thanks we look at what we have as gifts to be received, cherished, and stewarded. Before giving thanks, we look at what we have as few and less. After giving thanks we look at what we have bounty and blessing. What begins as a few loaves and fish becomes enough, more than enough — abundance. This is part of the transformation that happened through the leadership of Jesus in the story of the feeding of the five thousand (Mark 6:30-44).
My prayer for 2024 is that as a community of disciples, we live with grateful hearts for all that God has done, has given, and continues to promise – every day! It’s only when we get out of our comfort zone, it’s only when we are so grateful to God for all things, that our hearts are open, the scales fall from our eyes, our hearts and hands are open and ready to serve the Lord. We continually see the awe and wonder of this great world God has given us and can’t wait to share the gifts we have been given. We can’t wait to tell our neighbor of how Christ has changed our lives! When there is true community, we are connected to God in gratitude. We embrace the future unafraid and with great gusto!
REJOICE ALWAYS – PRAY CONTINUALLY – GIVE THANKS – LISTEN FOR THE SPIRIT
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever
1 Chronicles 16.34
With a Grateful Heart and Praising God for All of You,
Pastor Lenore
