A thankful heart is a choice we make, and thankfulness changes us, our
perception, our attitude and so much more.
By choosing thanksgiving we actually choose less self and more Savior. We stop being selfish and start being more
aware of others.
in everything give thanks;
for this is God’s will for you
in Christ Jesus.
What keeps people from being thankful? There are many answers to that question. Attitudes that stick to the heart are like
disease that goes untreated.
Let all bitterness and
wrath and anger and clamor and
slander be put away from you,
along with all malice.
Those things in the way of forgiveness are like
roadblocks. It is time to remove
them. Removing comes with getting honest
with yourself and with God.
Have we devoted ourselves
to honest prayer? Being thankful may be
the answer.
Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.
Forgiveness is one of
those pieces that cripples us if we don’t accept it and give it. This story and these verses points to that
fact.
Remember Jesus’
conversation with Peter. Often this is
me too. Look close.
Then Peter came and said
to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up
to seven times?” 22 Jesus
said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times
seven.
Plain. Simple.
Forgive.
Go deeper. Check your heart. Let God answer the question for you. Have I lost sight of God’s grace because I am
not giving and receiving the forgiveness of God and others? Often the root of bitterness and
unforgiveness makes us turn inward and be selfish. Humility cannot be found when we do not
forgive.
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with
humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;
Realizing we are forgiven
by God leaves us humble. Letting others
live in forgiveness lets many people live humble lives. In fact humility may be the key that unlocks
the places and relationships that we have longed for. God has a plan for our lives, and forgiveness
is part of it.
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at
the proper time,
Forgiveness is undeniably
linked to being thankful. Knowing we are
forgiven makes us thankful.
How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered!
I pray that my life is a
highway of forgiveness, both going out and coming in. There is nothing sweeter than helping people
find freedom in Christ. Our freedom
begins in the our relationship with Jesus and will change those who experience
our love for God!
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