Aug 18 ~ KEEPING AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE IN PRAYER: THE GIVER OF GIFTS

2 Corinthians 9:15 “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.”

GOD has given each saint the gift of the Holy Ghost which is the one and most important gift of all (Acts 2:38).  Each saint is given a special gift for the body of Christ to the glory of God (Eph.4:7-8).  The Lord has given me the gift of giving, not only of myself, but of words of comfort and affirmation to those who need it.  I’ve never been able to give out as much as I receive, especially to God.  I thank God for giving me the gift of giving but above all, giving me the gift of the Holy Ghost!

Pat Rembert

Aug 17 ~ KEEPING AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE IN PRAYER:  THANK GOD

Psalm 118:29 “O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.”

God’s mercy is forever, so our giving of thanks should be forever.  We never know what tomorrow will bring. I remember a time where I had a gun pulled on me and the individual shot 8 times. None of the bullets hit me or came near me! Lamentations 3:21-23 reminds us that when we open our eyes each morning, and we have strength of mind and body, we must give thanks to God because His mercy is everlasting!

Robert Rembert

Aug 16 ~ KEEPING AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE IN PRAYER: A CONTAGIOUS ATTITUDE

2 Corinthians 2:14 “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.”

When we start our day off with prayer that is filled with gratitude, it sets our temperament for the day.  In II Corinthians Chapter 2, Paul refused to come before the church of Corinth in heaviness because he knew it would change the way they responded.  When we begin to pray with thankfulness, it puts us in a place of happiness and removes fear and doubt.  We can spread the knowledge of Christ better with a positive attitude.  “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (I Thess. 5:18).

Rose Johnson

Aug 15 ~ KEEPING AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE IN PRAYER: WE OWE GOD!

James 4:6 “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”

We serve the great God who freely gives us the grace needed to live, move, praise Him, and most of all, to approach Him in prayer.  He teaches us to entreat Him.  I’m reminded of the scripture in Luke 14:11 that says, “For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”  We move God to action through faith.  Through humility, we remind ourselves that God owes us nothing, but we owe Him EVERYTHING!

Rosalind Wilbanks

Aug 14 ~ KEEPING AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE IN PRAYER: GOD RESPONDS TO THANK YOU!

Colossians 1:12 “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:”

We can choose to be thankful in prayer even when we have not received an answer, or when our situation has not changed. When we are thankful while waiting for an answer or change, God responds to us with strength. The strength that only He gives. His strength qualifies us for an eternal, undefiled, unfading inheritance. So let us thank Him and watch His response!

Cheryl Jemison

Aug 13 ~ KEEPING AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE IN PRAYER: TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND LEAN NOT TO YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING

Colossians 2:6-7 “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:  Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.”

There were so many times after I got saved that I didn’t remember to be grateful and tell God thank you.  I had to learn that just saying thank you was not enough, I needed to pray with gratitude for everything.  People of GOD, be grateful in things you don’t understand and JESUS will give you an understanding when you pray.  The word of GOD has every answer we need!

Sherry Newberry

Aug 12 ~ KEEPING AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE IN PRAYER: A HEART OF GRATITUDE

Romans 6:17 “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.”

When you think about gratitude, it’s a two way street.  First you show appreciation and then you return it with a kind gesture to let the person know you appreciate them.  When I was baptized in Jesus’ name and filled with the Holy Ghost, I was so thankful.  I needed to show my appreciation by living a lifestyle that’s acceptable to God.  You will never be able to turn your life around on your own, you must let God do what he specializes in.  Don’t forget, showing gratitude is a two way street!

Brandon Linson

Aug 11 ~ KEEPING AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE IN PRAYER: GRATEFULNESS,  A WAY OF LIFE

Psalm 107:1 “O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.”

Thanksgiving isn’t just a season or a day on the calendar that we celebrate in the month of November.  It should be a part of saints’ daily walk with Christ in order to have a healthy spiritual life.  As we practice gratitude, we shift our thoughts to Jesus and the way we see ourselves and our situation. Paul said, “I have learned no matter what state I am therewith to be content (Philippians 4:11).”  Let us grow in thankfulness in our daily walk with Christ.

Sabrina Singleton

Aug 10 ~ KEEPING AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE IN PRAYER: PRESSING IN TO WIN

Colossians 3:17 “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”

Often times when we pray, we greet the Lord with grumpiness, sleepiness, tiredness, hurt, etc., but we must tunnel through our many emotions and press into prayer.  We must enter into his gates with thanksgiving and into his courts with praise, showing honor and appreciation to our Lord (Psalm.100:4). We should come before the Lord, with a repentant heart, being godly sorry for our shortcomings (Psalms 51:17).  Ask and seek the Lord for the things you are in need of, both spiritually and naturally.  It is gratifying to know we can come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in the time of need.

Cynthia H. Clanton

Aug 9 ~ KEEPING AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE IN PRAYER:  WALKING IN GRATITUDE

James 4:10 “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”

Humility is demonstrated when we bow in sincerity of heart and soul before the Lord and acknowledge our own meanness, unworthiness, our sin, and wretchedness.  We then begin to implore the grace and mercy of God in Christ Jesus. When this is done, we are assured in His Word that He will lift and exalt us in His time.  Having had my own personal challenges with my children, I had to seek God’s face and trust that He would deliver and set free.  Though this realization didn’t come overnight, God granted me a PEACE and consolation that He was with me even in my darkest time.  

Viola Smith