Book Recommendation!

Each girl was challenged to spend seven days working on developing gratefulness in her life! Each day's assignment came from this great little booklet by Nancy Leigh DeMoss, The Attitude of Gratitude: Developing a Grateful Heart.

Have you written any letters of gratefulness recently? Let this quote inspire you!

"A handwritten note is like dining by candlelight instead of flicking on the lights, like making a gift instead of ordering a product, like taking a walk instead of driving. Handwritten notes will add a lot to your life. You can still use the telephone or the Web for the daily chores of staying in touch, but for the words that matter, it's courteous, classy, caring, and civilized to pick up a pen."
-Margaret Shepherd

...so get writing!

A Thankful Heart

This month's meeting was on developing a spirit of gratefulness.
Contentment is realizing that God has already provided everything I need for my present and future happiness.
The Lord is Good, Psalm 34:8.
He is the God Who Gives all things to Enjoy, 1 Timothy 6:17. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, James 1:17
Be content with what you have, for He has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you, Hebrews 13:5

Gratefulness in Scripture
David - Psalm 92:1-2, It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night. David was in communication with God all the time! (Psalm 55:17, Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, And He shall hear my voice.)
Job- when faced with deep trouble and after losing everything, he blessed the Lord, responding in faithfulness, not in anxiety. Realized that all comes ultimately from God. Job 1:20, Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. He was rewarded, God gave him double what he had lost.
Daniel- Daniel 6:10 -When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open (toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.
Paul- he learned to be content in whatever state he was (Phil. 4:11). 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 - Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. We find IN HIM (not always in what happens to us) plenty of reason to thank Him and plenty of power to thank Him.
The ten lepers - only one took time to go back and say thank you, and he was made whole (healed) by his thanksgiving and faith. Be forever grateful to the One who has saved your life!

Look UP! -our thanksgiving should be directed towards God
Where is your focus? On me or God? It all depends on your perspective: thank God for allowing you to go through _______. He’s designed it for you to grow closer to Him. He knows and understands. He’s allowing it. Romans 8:28 - all things work together for good to them that love God. Character cannot be formed in ease and quiet!
Day in and day out, all the time, we’re to be grateful! Focus on the positive. You cannot be grateful and angry at the same time. Spend time with Him. Give Him the best of your time, talents and treasures. It lifts Him up, glorifies Him.

Psalm 119:63 - At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.
Psalm 103:2-5 thank God for His benefits, Ps. 104 bless the Lord, 1 Samuel 12:24 consider what great things He has done for you!
Hebrews 13:15 -Through Him, therefore, let us constantly and at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name.

Look AROUND -thankful for relationships, thankful towards others (Eph. 1:16, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers).
What does a grateful heart look like? it’s contagious!
It is revealed and expressed by thankful words, not in murmuring or complaining. Is a humble person. Conscious of God and others- seeking to bless them. Easily contented, not bitter (yield all rights to God). Life-giving.

Begin your morning by thanking God
Express thanks to other people
Rejoice in trials
Look for benefits instead of murmuring (remember Pollyanna!)
Pray for those who have benefited you
Thank God for your authorities and pray for them