The blessings that come with being grateful

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And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15 I heard about two young city slickers who were driving through a small town out in East Texas. They stopped at a little café for a bite to eat, and they noticed an old farmer bowing his head and giving thanks for his food. Now, this wasn’t something they were used to seeing in the city. So they walked over to that old man with a little smirk on their faces and said, “Sir, does everybody around here pray like that before they eat?” Without even looking up at the two, the old man said, “Nope. The hogs don’t.” As believers in Christ, expressing your thankfulness toward God for the blessings in your life is of the upmost importance. In fact, as you read today’s passage, you’ll see that there is a direct correlation between letting Christ rule in your hearts and being thankful for His blessings! Now, I’m not saying you have to bow your head and close your eyes every time you chew a piece of gum. But take some time each day to acknowledge God’s blessings, and thank Him for what He’s given you. When you do that, you’ll begin to see just how blessed you are and just how good God is! GRATITUDE IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. SO SPEND SOME TIME EACH DAY ACKNOWLEDGING GOD’S BLESSINGS AND EXPRESSING YOUR GRATEFULNESS TO HIM. Accepted by Dr. Paul Chappell “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” Ephesians 1:3–6 People do all sorts of things in order to be accepted by a group. Some wear certain clothing and fashions. Others adopt particular hairstyles. They may change what they eat, where they live, and more in an effort to fit in. There are even tragic cases of people severely damaging their lives or committing crimes in an effort to be accepted. As Christians, we have been given the precious promise that we have been accepted by God—not because of what we have done, but because of what Jesus did. As a result, nothing can change that status. The same grace of God that provides our salvation also settles our standing in His eyes forever. The Bible does not tell us that we might be accepted or that we can be accepted, but that we have already been accepted. The righteousness of Christ that has been applied to our account makes us fit to stand in the very presence of God despite our failings and shortcomings. Recognizing this truth frees us from the constant cycle of worry and uncertainty that comes from trying to be good enough to measure up to a standard we can never meet. God’s grace works in us to give us the ability live righteously so that our witness and fellowship with God are not hindered. But our acceptance is external, coming through God’s grace, and it is eternal, never changing or failing.   Today’s Growth Principle:  Understanding God’s acceptance of us is the basis of our ability to rest in His love.