In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”–1 Thess.5:18

Someone said,” The foundation of gratitude is the expectation of nothing.” I believe there is a better way to look at it. As a child of God I do expect some things–the Bible teaches us to do so.As we yield ourselves to God’s will we can expect that He will supply all our needs (Matt.6:33).We should expect that and we should be thankful for it. There’s nothing wrong with expecting God to keep His promise—there is something wrong if we don’t. God is honored when we trust Him.

The best way to develop a grateful heart is to realize that we don’t deserve anything–we really don’t! Think about it this way—Those who don’t deserve anything should be thankful for everything. That way our gratitude is rooted and grounded in grace. How can we not be grateful when we realize that everything we have is the result of God’s grace? No one is earning their way with God–nobody! “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father–“(James 1:17).

As long as we think we deserve more, bigger, and better we will fail to be grateful. When we understand that we are just sinners saved by grace, deserving of hell, it is much easier to accept what God allows and to appreciate what God provides. Although we are totally undeserving, we are joint-heirs with Christ.Be thankful!

” Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have–” (Hebrews 13:5)

Jealousy and envy are big trouble- makers, but there is a cure. Someone said, “The best way to cure envy is by practicing thankfulness.” Pastor Paul Chappell said,” Comparison is probably the number one cause for ingratitude.” He might be right. Although the Bible tells us it isn’t wise to compare ourselves with others (2 Cor. 10:12) we often do it anyway. As you know, we sometimes make fools out of ourselves by coveting the things that other people have. Were we truly thankful that wouldn’t happen–we would be content.

God always does what he does for a reason. He blesses some with an abundance of material possessions and He blesses some by withholding them from others. In His infinite wisdom He knows what is best for each particular person. He has a different plan for each of us and He designs things accordingly.

Don’t make the mistake of getting disgruntled because others have more than you. We all have more than we deserve. We have what we have because of grace, not goodness; mercy, not merit. Whether we are abased or abounding we should be content. Count your blessings and be thankful that God gives you what you need, rather than what you deserve. Think about it and you will thank God for it.

It was high noon when the woman approached the well, an unusal time for most people. She came for water at a time when there was the least amount of traffic because she, evidently, wanted to avoid a face to face confrontation with the other women. There was a reason for her fear–she had been married five times and was living with a man who was not her husband. The “respectable” women of the city would never keep company with a woman like that.

Suddenly a stranger approached her and ask for a drink of water—but you know the rest of the story don’t you. In her wildest dreams she never envisioned meeting the Son of God–especially during the course of her regular routine, especially on this day and in this place. Who could have imagined an experience like hers? Her life and her eternal destiny were changed in a matter of minutes. After her encounter with Jesus she had a purity, a peace and a purpose that she never had before. She was changed forever and she wanted everyone to know. Running into the city she proclaimed her great discovery.

There are many lessons to be learned from this story, but I want you to consider just one–You never know what a day may hold! Although none of us will ever experience the exact same thing, we should think about the possibilites that each new day may bring. Some unexpected and unusual blessing might be just around the corner. Something more wonderful than anything you ever imagined could happen today. Although we don’t have a promise the mere possibility of it should be enough to make us look forward to each new day. With Christ at the center of your life you have good reason to be excited about life.Tell someone else what you’ve discovered.

I am determined to keep my focus on Christ, rather than the conflicts and calamities around me, and to help others do the same. One great thing about this subject is that it cannot be exhausted. When you think you’ve said it all you haven’t even touched the hem of the garment.

Many years ago, a man congratulated Sir Issac Newton on his great knowledge. The wise philosopher replied,“I have been like a little child on the sea-shore taking up a little water in a shell when the vast ocean of truth lay undiscovered before me.” Is not that the way we should feel when we speak of Christ. That’s what Paul had in mind when he said the love of Christ “passeth knowledge“. Listen to these words in Romans 11:33,”O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!”

If you think you’ve got it all figured out–think again! Let us spend our lives “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:2). That’s the key to everything related to the Christian life.Only by doing that can we “be filled with all the fulness of God.”