Have you ever heard of Reverse Trick-Or-Treating? Well, a day or two before Halloween we had some reverse Trick-Or-Treaters come to our door. They were from a local church, and they gave the kids some candy and left a book for Jeff and myself. The book was titled '199 Reasons To Be Thankful.'
199 reasons folks! That is a lot of reasons to be thankful. No matter what is going on in your life, and I do mean
no matter what, there is still something to be thankful for. This book is proof. Here are some of the reasons they list and what they say about them.
5. Sabbath Rest~In this crazy workaholic world we live in, rest is tough to come by. We run full steak ahead all day long and then struggle to sleep when we finally tumble into bed. God ordained rest. It's one of His greatest gifts to us, and one we should be very thankful for!
14. Jesus' Work On The Cross~In one sacrificial act, Jesus offered Himself as atonement for all. Oh, the blood of Jesus! It truly washes me whiter than snow. May we never take the work of the cross for granted.
Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of His death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.~Ephesians 2:16 NLT24. Godly Teachers~Godly teachers train us to follow after the Lord wholeheartedly. By their example, we're taught how to grow into the men and women of God we're called to be. Thank God for every single one who's had an impact on you!
31. Do-Overs~Do you wish you could go back and start the day over? Have a second chance? Praise God...the Christian life is full of do-overs! our forgiving God gives us second, third and fourth chances!
43. The First Christmas Lights Of The Season~As you see tiny lights twinkle against the evening sky, be reminded of that night so long ago when a star shone over Bethlehem, lighting the birth of the eternal King.
59. Laundry~Piles of laundry are proof of God's provision for us--we have clothes to wear! Next time you stare at a pile of dirty shirts, pants, socks and underwear, whisper a prayer of thanks that God provides for your needs.
65. Freedom To Worship~There are so many places around the globe where worship is illegal, forcing believers to take their celebrations underground. What a blessing it is to be able to worship when and where we want! Thank God for this freedom, and while you're at it, pray for those who aren't allowed to worship freely.
For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.~Galatians 5:13 NLT77. My Home~Maybe the walls of your home need a fresh coat of paint or the roof needs replacing. Perhaps your furniture is outdated or worn. In the grand scheme of things, those things don't matter at all, do they? God has blessed you with a safe haven. A place to go, away from the troubles of the world. Now, that's definitely something to be thankful for.
Then the king said to the man of God, "Come home with me and refresh yourself, and I will give you a reward."~1 Kings 13:7 NKJV86. Things That Didn't Happen~How many times have you asked God to make something happen, only to thank Him later that you didn't get what you asked for? Maybe He kept you safe from an accident or a bad relationship situation. We need to thank God not only for the things that happen in our lives, but also for the things that don't!
I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.~Psalm 40:1-2 NIV90. Chocolate~Ah, what a gift from on high! Chocolate, the soother of the soul. The melt-in-your mouth remedy for what ails you. Does it seem like a silly thing to be thankful for? It's not! All good gifts come from above...and chocolate is one of the best!
109. Pen, Ink and Paper~Whether you love the feel of a pen in your hand or like to type e-mails, it's a blessing to be able to communicate with others. Today, use the gift of writing to pen notes to friends, thanking them for the role they've played in your life.
118. Those Who Have Gone Before Us~Make a list of those people who have paved the way, bringing you to where you are in your spiritual life. Then go through that list, thanking God for each and every one. For the ones who've gone on to be with the Lord, spend some special time reflecting on the special role they played in your life.
Lord, You always know just the right people to send into my life. You've arranged my parents, my Sunday school teachers, and my coworkers. Thank you for those who've gone before me. Amen!
125. Leftover Turkey After Thanksgiving~The turkey--all fifteen to twenty pounds of it--signifies not just God's provision, but also His overwhelming, undeserved abundance. It's more than enough. Plenty for one meal...and plenty for days to come. Now that's something to be thankful for.
137. Life's Hard Lessons~Do you ever feel like you got your degree at the school of hard knocks? Instead of bemoaning the fact that you've made a few mistakes, take the time to thank God for the lessons He's taught you...even if they were acquired the hard way.
143. Best Friends~Best friends lift your arms when you feel you can't go on. They offer words of encouragement and support when you're down. And they speak truth, even when it's hard to hear. Everything is better when you've got someone at your side.
Lord, thank you so much for my best friends. I don't know where I'd be without them! Bless them today, Father, and show me how I can be the best possible friend to them. Amen.
158. Celebrations~Oh, how we wait for the special days on the calendar to arrive! Whether it's a birthday, a holiday, or a celebration of an achievement, these times allow us to reconnect with friends and family in a special way. Find something new to celebrate today!
"You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands."~Isaiah 55:12 NIV161. Exercise~Ah, exercise! It lifts us from our humdrum state, gets our blood pumpkin, and strengthens us, inside and out. Whether you're making the rounds at the gym, riding your bike, or jogging in the park, take the time to thank God for the gift of exercise. It's a gift He hopes you'll use...often!
178. Perseverance~As you go through seasons of perseverance, hold tight to God's promises. Continue to praise Him. Those who are watching will learn a lot by seeing how you handle this season!
189. Friends And Loved Ones I Have Yet To Meet~Have you ever thought about the friends and loved ones you haven't even met yet? Who will they be? What impact will they have on your life? The Lord brings people together in the most wonderful ways--at church, at work, in neighborhoods, in families.
Lord, it's exciting to think of the people I will be close to in the future. I don't know them yet, but one day we'll be the best of friends. Thank you for the friends I have now...and the ones I have yet to meet. Amen.
199. I'm Not In Charge!~The minute you let go of the control you have in your life, the minute you acknowledge that God alone is in charge, the sooner He's able to move on your behalf. You were never meant to handle this on your own, anyway. He knows best how--and when--to intervene in the lives of His children.
The Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me."~Matthew 28:18 NIVThat is only 20 reasons out of all 199. Powerful right? It really puts things in perspective for me. We are all going to have bad things--big and small--happen in our lives. Even when really big things are going on in our lives--health issues, grieving a loved one, marital problems, difficult family situations, etc.--God is there for us. That alone is a blessing! Plus, when those big things are going on in our lives, we really need to focus elsewhere for a bit. When we do that, we can gain much perspective. That is a good thing!
I pray that each and every one of my friends, family, and blog readers will be able to focus on the blessings. They are there. I promise! :-)
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