In Love with the Bible

Learning to love God's Word

Gratitude

February 28, 2021 by Marion

2 Chronicles 17:6 and Acts 16:25: I am currently reading in a devotional Bible that has daily readings from both the Old and New Testaments. These two passages appeared in one day’s reading. In the 2^nd Chronicles passage we read that Jehoshaphat’s heart delighted in the ways of the Lord. As a result, he tore down the idols found in the land and sent teachers throughout the nation to teach people God’s ways. God rewared him by establishing his kingdom and keeping other nations from making war with Judah. In the Acts passage, Paul and Silas, imprisoned for proclaiming the word of God, were singing God’s praises. It reminds me that delighting in God is not tied to circumstances. When God gives great blessing, I want to respond with great gratitude and when God allows/brings trials, I want to respond with great gratitude. I think this is only possible if my focus is on him and not my circumstances. It is too easy to be complacent when life is good and too easy to grumble when life is hard, but if I maintain my focus on God, he will show me the right response to all of life.

Comments

Gary Langdon says

February 28, 2021 at 3:51 pm

Giving gratitude and thanksgiving is my model for living.
1Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

My personal background: Married to Paul in 1979, raised and homeschooled 6 children (whom I am enjoying so much as adults), and now spending time with my grandchildren every chance I get.

My background as a Christian: learned the basics of Christianity growing up as a Seventh Day Baptist, became a Lutheran after marriage, and have been a member of an ecumenical group called the Work of Christ Community since 1974.

Why I decided to blog: When I was new at being a Christian (around 20), I had a conversation with my sister in which I shared with her some insight I had gotten into a particular scripture through a book I had read. In her response she told me why she did not feel like she could buy religious books at that time in her life and that God was just teaching her through his word. I remember feeling extremely jealous. I had not yet experienced God saying anything to me directly through his word—and I deeply desired that he would. In the intervening years, I have experienced God speaking to me through his word and as a result, I have fallen in love with the Bible. It is my desire to use this blog as a way of sharing some of the things I've learned along the way. I will cover hearing, reading, studying, and meditating on scripture. Because I also want to keep the posts short, some of those topics will be take more than one post. Feedback, questions, and comments are welcome as long as they are also civil.

Marion