When people look at us, they automatically make some sort of assessment. They size us up by the way we look, but mostly by how we act and the words we say. The Bible teaches us that what is in the heart will be spoken in our words. Sooner or later our words will reveal who we really are.
Matthew 12:34 “O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”
What are you revealing today? Many of you will be with family or friends. Are you grateful for whatever God has allowed in your path? We are to be looking beyond our circumstances to the beauty of what we have. When we do that, we are humbled and our eyes gaze upward not inward. Anyone can feel sorry for themselves, but that is such an insult to our Savior who has done so much for us. If you are a Christian, your attitude should never be “woe is me.” We all have moments when we don’t feel good or don’t like our circumstances, but we must remember we have hope. A hope that no one can take away from us. A hope that when revealed to others can give them hope. Determine that you will have a good day in the Lord.
Psalm 118:24 “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
Today, choose to be thankful all the time. Use music as a tool to lift your spirit to the Lord above. Music can change our mood in a second. Play some uplifting praise music. Songs like, “Give Thanks.” “How Great Thou Art,” “The Goodness of God,” and on and on I could go. You don’t need songs that place the emphasis on you but on Him. His mercies are new every morning and we need to rejoice in them. This will also change the mood of your family. So, put on some good background music to make people think of the blessings of God.
II Samuel 22:50 “Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name.”
Refuse to complain about anything. Complaining is nothing more than telling God you don’t like what he’s placed in your life. You are placing an indictment on Him. This always is a result of an ungrateful heart. Remember how the Israelites murmured and complained about all the things God was doing for them? It angered God and they paid the price. Just remember God hates an ungrateful heart.
Psalm 106:24-26 “Yea, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word: But murmured in their tents, and hearkened not unto the voice of the Lord. Therefore, he lifted up his hand against them, to overthrow them in the wilderness:”
Don’t try to fake it! You cannot bless God in one breath, complain, and gossip in another. James makes that clear and you will be labeled as a hypocrite.
James 3:9-10 “Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.”
Take the verses below and pray over them, write them down, and share them with your family today to help them understand where your hope lies, and what an awesome God we serve. Take their eyes off themselves and their circumstances for a while, and refocus their thinking. What a blessing you could be to someone if you can help them to be a thankful person, but they must first see it in you!
Ephesians 4:29 “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
