in 2017 we will need hope and thankfulnes

There are a couple of things that I would like to bring to your attention as we look toward and almost speed toward the New Year.  We have so much to be thankful for.  Just start naming a few of them.

A friend posted on Facebook a quote I well remember and need often.  It says, “Don’t let what is wrong with you keep you from worshipping what is right with God.”  (Comes from Mark Batterson’s book Chase the Lion.)  It is so true that we tend to focus on the negative or the pain or the hurdles rather than on the good things, the blessings and the opportunities.

2017 is sure to be full of opportunities.  It will have the same amount of days with all kinds of weather to be experienced, challenges to grab on to, moments to enjoy and more.  How we look at the days will guide our path.  So be challenged.

Colossians 3:15  NLT

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

1 Thessalonians 5:18  NLT

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Be thankful.  It really is that simply.  Happiness seems to be something that comes and goes with our situations or our experience.  Joy is something that we must choose to stick with us as is thankfulness.  Truly being thankful comes from a life that has chosen to be that way.

I have spent time with several of my family members in Oklahoma this last week.  One of the character traits I have noticed has been thankfulness.  When you can be grumpy, choose to be thankful.  When you want to try, choose to be thankful.  When you want to yell or get your way, be thankful.  Turning situations towards thankfulness will change you and others.

Be thankful.  That is one sure way to make 2017 great.

Romans 15:13  NLT

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 1:18  NLT

I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.

Hope is something that we all need.  Again, I believe that hope is something that we choose because our direction and confidence are placed in someone much bigger and better than us.  That is God.  By the way we live with hope we give others hope.

I have heard several times recently and been reminded that we must be “brokers of hope”.  May our lives, may our action, may our words, may our generosity, may our attitudes impart of people the understanding that we live with hope.  Real hope is based now on what I want to happen but on what God promises. 

Confident hope is something the world lacks.  We have lost hope in leaders, but we must not lose hope in God.  People will fail us and do it often, but our God will never leave us nor fail us.

May we live life so that others see we have hope and that we are thankful!

Have a wonderful and blessed 2017.  See you at church on Sunday!

NOTE... Thank you to everyone who have supported me and the The Community Fellowship this past year.  May God bless you in 2017 in huge ways!  There is still time to give an end of the year gift Mail your gift online at https://tcf.ccbchurch.com/w_give_online.php and choose general fund, Dream Center (homeless and feeding ministry) or Vision fund (completion of new campus).  All gifts are tax deductible.