Show Gratitude
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. (1 Peter 4:12-13)
Show gratitude. That is what Simon Peter said. We need to praise the Lord for whatever happens in our lives. He can use our difficult times to be a blessing to others. Through our experiences, we can better understand other people.
What you go through, God can use in the days to come. Some of you have lost children. Although you say it’s not fair, life is not fair. You probably have a more tender heart toward people who suffer loss than anyone else. Because you know the depths of grief, God can use that.
Maybe you have experienced cancer, or maybe you are going through cancer right now. No one can really talk to a cancer patient quite like someone who has experienced it. Don’t ever discount your pain because God does not want you to hide it. He may just want you to use it, and that is powerful. That is how God wants us to live, to be grateful for whatever we have experienced.
You should be especially grateful that the Gospel was preached to you. That is what Simon Peter is saying. I thank the Lord that I was raised in a family that went to church. I was exposed to Bible verses when I was “knee high to a grasshopper.” I thank the Lord that the very first thing our family did whenever we moved, was to look for a church. That is why I went to all kinds of different churches. We finally settled on a church that had a great children’s program. That gave me a lot of things to do, just like our present church does for families.
We need to thank the Lord that someone preached the Gospel to us. That is why the Scripture says in Romans, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.” (Romans 10:15) You also have those beautiful feet when you share the Gospel with someone else. Be grateful in all things!
Show gratitude. That is what Simon Peter said. We need to praise the Lord for whatever happens in our lives. He can use our difficult times to be a blessing to others. Through our experiences, we can better understand other people.
What you go through, God can use in the days to come. Some of you have lost children. Although you say it’s not fair, life is not fair. You probably have a more tender heart toward people who suffer loss than anyone else. Because you know the depths of grief, God can use that.
Maybe you have experienced cancer, or maybe you are going through cancer right now. No one can really talk to a cancer patient quite like someone who has experienced it. Don’t ever discount your pain because God does not want you to hide it. He may just want you to use it, and that is powerful. That is how God wants us to live, to be grateful for whatever we have experienced.
You should be especially grateful that the Gospel was preached to you. That is what Simon Peter is saying. I thank the Lord that I was raised in a family that went to church. I was exposed to Bible verses when I was “knee high to a grasshopper.” I thank the Lord that the very first thing our family did whenever we moved, was to look for a church. That is why I went to all kinds of different churches. We finally settled on a church that had a great children’s program. That gave me a lot of things to do, just like our present church does for families.
We need to thank the Lord that someone preached the Gospel to us. That is why the Scripture says in Romans, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.” (Romans 10:15) You also have those beautiful feet when you share the Gospel with someone else. Be grateful in all things!
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Building Men Over MembershipsAre You Encouraging Others?Committing Others To ChristSharing Your StoryFaith Beyond Your FamilyGod’s Purpose In Your PainAligned PrayersPraying with PowerA Defining EncounterA Desire To ServeA Faithful and Helpful FriendRestoring Broken RelationshipsThe Power To RestoreA Guilt-Free LifeA Hand Of BlessingA Heart Of RepentanceAllowing God To Do The ChangingAre You Feeling Stuck?Trust His HeartBe Ready For InterruptionsFull of the Holy SpiritDefeating DepressionPowerful Prayers and a BurdenThe Triumphal EntrySurrender Your Life to ChristGratitude Is The Gateway To ContentmentGratitude Is A Defense Against AnxietyDealing With DoubtFocus On The WordGiving and ServingListening Instead Of Talking
February
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March
Witness with Your WordsGod’s Word Is EnoughStay Rooted In The TruthA Call to God’s ChurchFalse ProphetsJesus Intercedes for YouHave You Met Christ?Focus on the GiverEncountering God’s GraceStanding Accountable Before GodBe Ready for the End Jesus Understands Your PainLooking ForwardImmeasurably MoreLiving in DenialYour Salvation MomentWhat Does It Look Like To Be The Church?A Word of BlessingJesus Cares about YouThe PavementWhen You Need Hope The End Is Near Stand on the Word of GodA Gracious GiftCelebrating Through BaptismThe Promise of the Holy SpiritBe Aligned in PrayerI Am InnocentGod Draws Us to HimselfFind Rest in the LordBearing The Burdens Of OthersPrioritizing Your Love For Christ
2 Comments
Never underestimate what God can do with your life .... He can, and, will use You in ways You never imagined !! Remember ... His Ways are "Far Higher" than ours !!
True True True God give me the strength to share the Gospel with others ðŸ™