Thursday, February 22, 2007
When we are Discontent,we are Saying God's Grace is not Enough.
Please visit Iris for more Thankful Thursday lists!
2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you,so that always having all sufficiency in everything,you may have an abundance for every good deed;
1 Timothy 6:6-11 But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world,so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering,with these we shall be content. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil,ad some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But,flee from these things,you man of God,and pursue righteousness,godliness,faith,love,perseverance and gentleness.
Contentment is not passive acceptance or positive thinking. Someone who is content is one who sees God's provision for his needs and God's grace for his circumstances. So,it is true when we are discontent,we are saying God's grace is not enough. God is not enough---what He does is not enough...it is a heart of ungratefulness.
That brings me to that thankful part! I love the blog Just Peachy! Peach is my blogging friend and I adore her heart of thankfulness! It has been a blessing to see read her lists of thankfulness each week! It inspires me to be more thankful!
Here are some purposes and practices of thankfulness from my Bible Study,*The Practice of Godliness* that has helped me have more of a heart of thankfulness:
Purposes of Thankfulness:
1) It acknowledges God's goodness
2) It promotes humility in us
3) It stimulates our faith
4) It promotes contentment
Practices of Thankfulness:
1) It takes effort
2) Do it no matter what your current circumstances
3) Acknowledge God as the source of everything
4) Always,in everything,give thanks
My Thursday Thankful List:
1) I am thankful for the lives I have been able to witness as they are faced with extreme pressing trials. Amy especially has a faithful heart towards God in the midst of painstaking,difficult circumstances.
2) I am thankful for salvation and the spiritual blessings of God that are poured out everyday.
3) I am thankful for a church that holds fast to sound doctrine and teaches,equips,and challenges us to live godly.
4)I am thankful for women in the blog world who are held by Biblical convictions. Their blogs encourage me greatly.
5)I am thankful for the blessing of homeschooling my precious children and the laws that allow for this.
6) I am very thankful for a believing husband...who loves me and guides me to Biblical thinking and Truth.
7) I am thankful for a home where love abounds and God's name is mentioned often by everyone. That is a BLESSING!
8) I am thankful for God's Word,the Bible, and how it convicts,encourages,and sets me straight.
I want to be thankful everyday. It really is an act of obedience...regardless of my circumstances or feelings...God tells us in His word that we should "in everything give thanks;for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18
I am a stay at home mother to 4. I am very blessed to have a godly husband who loves the Lord and his family. I welcome the days of much needed grace,the times of sweet victories,and the tears of trials,knowing it is all for God's glory. I want my lifesong to sing to Him,the author and finisher of my faith. Soli Deo Gloria--To the Glory of God alone.
18 Comments:
I had not ever thought about thankfulness being an act of obedience, but you are so right. Thanks for sharing that with everyone! Blessings to you!
Great post! Thanks for being honest about your personal struggle and efforts to be thankful and content. What a blessed list!!
I loved this post - not one specific thing, but just the overall tone. Great reminders in it. Thanks.
This was fabulous, friend! Thank you for intertwining the concept of obedience into the whole idea of thankfulness. I so enjoyed this post, Kim.
BTW, thanks for the link, too. You touched my heart.
Contentment is something I have struggled with in my life sometimes too, and have often had to re-learn the lesson the hard way. Thanks for the good reminder. It's amazing how difficult struggles bring us back to the place where we realize how much we truly have to thank God for.
Kim,
This is such a wonderful post. I really needed to read that tonight. I am quite poo-poo this evening and this hit me between the eyes.
Have a super evening.
I love this, Kim. Just the title is profound statement. Thanks!
Hi Kim. I love your title, I like Jani had not thought about thankfulness being obedience. I had though not being content was to not be obedient but never quite put thankfulness in there with obedience. Thanks for the great reminder. I love doing these thankful posts, it really reminds us of the good things God has blessed us with. Your blessed to have a church that teaches sound doctrine.
Really great post! (We are on the same wavelength re: contentment--it was the kids' virtue ysterday)
Kim,
I really appreciate the continued lesson on contentment. I am so blessed that everywhere I turn this week, God is teaching me this lesson. I definitely don't want to live my days in discontent thinking that God's grace isn't enough, for it most certainly is!
What a wonderful post. Loved it! Thanks for sharing.
Lori
Wonderful post and great reminder about thankfulness being an act of obedience. Even on days like today where everything is hectic and I have a sick one at home, I feel *so* thankful for what the Lord has done for me and my family.
Thank you for your comment on migraines! I saw the neurologist this morning and he's having me run a bunch of tests but I feel good knowing that we should have an answer soon--I pray!
I love Thankful Thursdays, so glad you're participating. I look forward every week to writing what I am thankful for and reading others---it's really a blessing.
Have a great weekend!
What a great post! I have been journeying with the Israelites in my Daily Bible, and have realized anew how our grumbling reaches God's ears. Yes, our grumbling is saying "God, what you have done is not enough." And He hears it! Ack!
Bless you for having such a grateful heart.
Such good reminders after a difficult and busy week.
Blessings!
I agree, Kim. I guess that is why have been writing my Thankful posts on Thursday for almost a year (I missed a couple)...We live all such a fast passed life, it is nice to stop once a week and thank Him for what He has given us. It always warms my heart when I read women who struggle, but are still thankful...
1 Timothy 6:7-8 were the verses my dad lived by.
Blessings on your weekend and always.
I am thankful that through this crazy phenomenon of the blogosphere that I came across your blog and am growing in my personal life because of "friends" that have crossed my path like you. God is so creative, huh? ; )
Great reminder for me to practice thankfulness--with purpsoe. What a wonderful list--God has truly blessed your life.
I am thankful for you!
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