Choosing to be Thankful and a Giver
Posted: Wednesday, November 23, 2011
by Avis Ward
GeoVi's Home for Pregnant Teens
The day is bright and sunny and the morning air is crisp and sharp. It is mid-morning and the temperature is about 51°F or 10°C. I’ve said, thank you Lord at least several dozen times aloud and in my brain. I thank Him for yet another beautiful day!
Living in the South Carolina upstate at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains has sealed it for me. Fall is my favorite time of the year! As I gaze out the window of my home-office, I am reminded of the time when I wasn’t sure what or when my next meal would be. You see, times were lean and starvation was the enemy’s choice for me.
As born-again believers, we must feed off the word of God during famines and feasts. When we live off God’s word, there is a spiritual fullness that alleviates physical hunger. As my thanks to God for His goodness and mercy were being expressed, the doorbell rang.
To summarize briefly, a spaghetti dinner, meatballs, parmesan cheese, garlic buttered toasted bread, garden salad and napoleons were delivered by a neighbor’s teenage son. The son came back with ice tea and more dessert. There was enough in plastic containers for not one but three meals!
Apostle Paul speaks best for me, right now. He said in Philippians 4:12: “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” (New International Version ©1984)
We do not have to see our blessings for them to be ours. We must believe we have already been blessed and behave accordingly. To be thankful— give thanks!
“Give” thanks. We are not to be only on the receiving end. We must give. God’s word offers key practical principles for his children. When we adhere to them, we can “be of good cheer because Christ has overcome the world.” We can experience a peace that passes all understanding, so much so, we are flabbergasted by it but accept it as God’s will for our lives. We can be content, in the valley and on the mountaintop! We can “count it all joy when we face various trials.”
When we give, we will receive. I received that spaghetti dinner because I had not only given thanks and praises to God but I had planted seeds by giving tangibly and intangibly to others. That valley experience, by the way, taught me what it meant to truly live by faith. I had always declared God as my Source but counted on those paychecks to do things for me. It is God who does everything for me and it is God who I count on for everything!
We are approaching Thanksgiving. Let’s break that compound word apart: Thanks – Giving. We have options. We have choices to make. We can opt to be thankful, or not. We can also choose to be giving, or not. The decision you make will determine how blessed you are.
The bible tells us in Luke 6:38: “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your lap. For with the same measure that you measure it shall be measured to you again.” (King James 2000 Bible, ©2003)
Who would not want to receive such a promise from the King of Kings and Lord of Lords? The only caveat is, you must “give.” This giving works for believers and nonbelievers. An unlawful abiding citizen can use illegally acquired money to build a pediatric wing on a hospital will benefit from this key principle. If you give you will be blessed.
What a blessing it is to be a blessing! Seek God’s direction on how you can be a daily blessing to others. Someone needs to be heard; bless them with confidential listening ears. Someone needs a transport to the market; give them a ride. Take leftovers to that neighbor God has placed on your mind. Are you unwilling to give money for fear of abuse? Give a gift certificate instead. Take or mail a check to the utilities company for an anonymous someone. Send a handwritten note to family and friends expressing your love and inclusion of them in your prayers. Reacquaint yourself with someone who hurt you, assuring them of your forgiveness. Reach out to our youth and seniors. Their lives are filled with changes and challenges. Show them Christ in you.
It is our choice to be thankful, a giver, and blessed or not. God has no monetary price tag on His grace and mercy. Miracles are not for sale. What God has done for one, He has done for all. Pray for what He has done for you to be revealed so that you can receive it. Until that happens, do not fail to be thankful and a giver. Blessings are waiting to overtake you!
Make Thanksgiving Day every day in your life. The Lord will surely bless you and keep you as you share His love with thanks and giving.
©2011 Evangelist Avis Ward, El Elyon Outpouring Center
Living in the South Carolina upstate at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains has sealed it for me. Fall is my favorite time of the year! As I gaze out the window of my home-office, I am reminded of the time when I wasn’t sure what or when my next meal would be. You see, times were lean and starvation was the enemy’s choice for me.
To summarize briefly, a spaghetti dinner, meatballs, parmesan cheese, garlic buttered toasted bread, garden salad and napoleons were delivered by a neighbor’s teenage son. The son came back with ice tea and more dessert. There was enough in plastic containers for not one but three meals!
Apostle Paul speaks best for me, right now. He said in Philippians 4:12: “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” (New International Version ©1984)
We do not have to see our blessings for them to be ours. We must believe we have already been blessed and behave accordingly. To be thankful— give thanks!
“Give” thanks. We are not to be only on the receiving end. We must give. God’s word offers key practical principles for his children. When we adhere to them, we can “be of good cheer because Christ has overcome the world.” We can experience a peace that passes all understanding, so much so, we are flabbergasted by it but accept it as God’s will for our lives. We can be content, in the valley and on the mountaintop! We can “count it all joy when we face various trials.”
When we give, we will receive. I received that spaghetti dinner because I had not only given thanks and praises to God but I had planted seeds by giving tangibly and intangibly to others. That valley experience, by the way, taught me what it meant to truly live by faith. I had always declared God as my Source but counted on those paychecks to do things for me. It is God who does everything for me and it is God who I count on for everything!
We are approaching Thanksgiving. Let’s break that compound word apart: Thanks – Giving. We have options. We have choices to make. We can opt to be thankful, or not. We can also choose to be giving, or not. The decision you make will determine how blessed you are.
The bible tells us in Luke 6:38: “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your lap. For with the same measure that you measure it shall be measured to you again.” (King James 2000 Bible, ©2003)
Who would not want to receive such a promise from the King of Kings and Lord of Lords? The only caveat is, you must “give.” This giving works for believers and nonbelievers. An unlawful abiding citizen can use illegally acquired money to build a pediatric wing on a hospital will benefit from this key principle. If you give you will be blessed.
What a blessing it is to be a blessing! Seek God’s direction on how you can be a daily blessing to others. Someone needs to be heard; bless them with confidential listening ears. Someone needs a transport to the market; give them a ride. Take leftovers to that neighbor God has placed on your mind. Are you unwilling to give money for fear of abuse? Give a gift certificate instead. Take or mail a check to the utilities company for an anonymous someone. Send a handwritten note to family and friends expressing your love and inclusion of them in your prayers. Reacquaint yourself with someone who hurt you, assuring them of your forgiveness. Reach out to our youth and seniors. Their lives are filled with changes and challenges. Show them Christ in you.
It is our choice to be thankful, a giver, and blessed or not. God has no monetary price tag on His grace and mercy. Miracles are not for sale. What God has done for one, He has done for all. Pray for what He has done for you to be revealed so that you can receive it. Until that happens, do not fail to be thankful and a giver. Blessings are waiting to overtake you!
Make Thanksgiving Day every day in your life. The Lord will surely bless you and keep you as you share His love with thanks and giving.
©2011 Evangelist Avis Ward, El Elyon Outpouring Center
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