Living Lessons: For October 14th, 2013

Living Lessons:  for October 14^th, 2013  

("Living Lessons" are articles I write for our church bulletin every Sunday.)

A Check Up from the Neck Up:   I was really blessed to enjoy a great message on Thursday at the Young At Heart devotional and meal.  Art Kixmiller used the words “Check Up from the Neck Up” in speaking about our attitudes.  Then he also hit a home run as he swung his devotional bat at one of my favorite topics, “gratitude”. 

Today’s living lesson is meant for you to do a mental check up on yourself.  How’s your attitudinal health?  Are you feeling down, depressed, and lonely?   Sometimes we get this one from being self-centered and studies have shown that being thankful to others can turn many of those situations around.  The doctor has some medicine prescribed just for you, and this medicinal curing system today begins with gratitude.

When was the last time you wrote a “Thank You” letter?  When was the last time you told your Walmart cashier, “Thanks for serving me today.”  When was the last time you called your parents just to say “Thanks for raising me.”  When was the last time you thanked your Lord for putting up with so many prayers that have more complaining and begging in them than gratitude?  Now, we’re not accusing anyone, but if you’re like me, you might be a bit guilty of not being too thankful.  Let’s see what scripture has to say about it.

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” - 1 Thess 5:18

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” – Psalm 107:1

“Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – Eph 5:20

“Be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” – Col 3:15-17

“Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!” - 2 Cor 9:15