Posted on

The Power of Gratitude!

There are many power principles in the New Testament. One of them is the power of gratitude. King David taught much on the power of gratitude. People that are grateful have such an advantage over those who are ungrateful. The ungrateful cannot see beyond their current circumstances; The grateful see hidden opportunities, even during times of difficulty. The ungrateful do not appreciate what they currently have, so they are always looking and desiring what others have; The grateful appreciate what God has placed in their hands. The ungrateful are never satisfied, so they are always stuck in a vicious cycle of jealousy and desiring what others have; The grateful place great value in what they currently have, thus they are free to grow from there. The ungrateful are not generous, because they do not value what they have; The grateful are generous, even with the little that they have. the ungrateful can’t see past their circumstances to see God’s love and mercy. The grateful realize that God is good, and His mercy endures forever! (Psalms 106:1)

Ephesians 5:20 “Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God”

Posted on

How do you show your love?

I love you! We hear this phrase in so many settings. I can love my spouse. I can love my car. I can love my dog. Is it all the same thing? In its purest form, love is an overwhelming feeling, and a solid commitment. True love is not just a statement. As an example, when a singer comes to town and sings before a live audience, they might say to the audience, “I love you all.” But in reality, they don’t even know the majority of people that are there. It’s just a nice thing to say. True love is different. In John 13: 34-35, Jesus gave the disciples “a new commandment.” The commandment was “to love one another, as He had loved them.” That takes love to another level. Jesus loved so much that He died for us all. Jesus left His glory to deliver us from sin and destruction. In Ephesians 5: 25 – 27 describes how Jesus sanctifies and cleanses us with His word. He will present us spotless before the Father in that precious day. That is true love. The question then is: Are we loving each other as Jesus loved us? Are we speaking words that cleanse and encourage each other? Are we dying to self so that others can live? Are we protecting each other, or are we backbiting and gossiping against one another? Are we bringing people closer to God with our lives, or are we pushing them away? Something to ponder  today.

John 13: 34-35: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”