Grateful Moments: Reflecting on God's Love and Blessings
Many will pause this Thursday to feast with family and friends in thankfulness. However, as believers in Jesus, in each moment, we get to recall the goodness, kindness, and love of God towards us. It is so important to recognize we GET to pause in gratefulness every moment of every day intentionally. This is enacted practically by the way we live and treat others.
Beloved, all humanity has reason to be grateful to God because of God. This post covers vital aspects of cultivating a heart of appreciation wrought through Creation and Salvation. Then, it moves into the blessedness reserved for the Children of God (exclusively), seen in His presence through the Spirit, the Blessed Hope (anticipation of Christ’s coming), and finally, eternal life given to us through His name.
Throughout the post, I have chosen biblical passages illuminating the journey of believers, emphasizing the transformative power of God's love. The post concludes with a powerful prayer expressing gratitude for the unending love and grace bestowed by the Almighty. It is an expression of gratitude, acknowledging the profound impact of God's love, mercy, and continuous guidance in our lives, which I've included here. I hope you will grab your Bible, Journal, and favorite Fall beverage and snuggle up in a cozy chair with the expectation of being blessed. Let's jump in.
All Humanity Has A Reason To Be Thankful
God’s Work in the Creation of Humanity.
Our existence unveils the deep and abiding truth that each day, as we rise, God confirms He is God. God confirms our status of blessing for in our lives alone—He declares we are created by and for Him. Finally, the very act of inhalation and exhalation throughout our day declares the very name of God–YHWH. These gifts are given to everyone, even if individuals choose not to glorify Him in it.
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“Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.” Genesis 2:7.
God’s work in Reconciliation through Salvation.
Let us remember there was a time when we knew not the Lord, nor appropriately ascribed praise, honor, and affection do Him. But this didn't prevent God from doing the incredible. He sent Jesus when we didn't know any better to institute salvation so we who would believe could believe.
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“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:6.
“but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8.
“Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.” Romans 5:9.
“For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.” Romans 5:10.
“More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” Romans 5:11.
Thankfulness Reserved for the Children of God
We Have His Continual Presence.
Beloved, we are walking in what the Old Testament Saints were waiting for. We have been filled and sealed with the Spirit of Holiness. We are never without the presence of all the fullness of God. This gift of grace should cause us to shout with great adoration. God is not only with us; He lives in us.
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“And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.” Ezekiel 36:27.
“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” Romans 8:14-15.
“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16.
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own.” 1 Corinthians 6:19.
“But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.” 1 John 2:27.
We have the Blessing of His Coming.
We need not be afraid, nor will we shrink back from the Day of The Lord. No, each day we GET to wait with great anticipation of the Blessed Hope. He has cleansed us by His blood and declared us justified. We have peace with and confidence in God. Glory.
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“so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.” Hebrews 9:28.
“For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.
“In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” John 14:2-4.
“waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” Titus 2:13-14.
We Have Eternal Life With Him.
Friends, in Christ we have eternal security. Sometimes we can get sidetracked contemplating the things of this life. But God offers us the much more and right now. Let's remain cognizant that He has been granted us to experience the God-kind of reality from the moment we received Christ. May we take hold of this now, as well as relish the goodness of God to come. God did not leave out any details when He spoke in His Word concerning the blessing of eternal life. When we received Jesus as Savior and Lord, we got God–all of Him, forever. One day, we will step out of this world and step into the manifestation of His Kingdom which has no end. Beloved, we are only at the beginning of a life that has no end. This is an incredible earth-shattering truth.
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“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also, he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Revelation 21:3-5.
“And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.” Revelation 21:22-23.
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Conclusion.
I hope you were blessed and filled with reasons to thank and praise our God and Abba Father. These are a few reasons, and I'm sure there are so many more. Before we close in prayer wanted to give you the Tip of the Month: If you have a Gratitude Jar and will be hosting Thanksgiving, reflect on what you've placed in the jar and consider sharing a few thoughts over Thanksgiving dinner. To make it even more fun, make it interactive. You can place a pad of paper by your jar and ask those who are celebrating with you to write their own note of gratitude before leaving your home. If you don't have a jar, consider creating and kicking it off with your guests this Thursday as a memorial for the years to come.
Let’s Pray and Give Him Thanks.
Abba Father, You are more than words can describe. Jesus came so I would know You and experience You in every way. Thank You because You allow me to recognize how You lavish Your Love on me. You sought me through Your good Spirit. You called me by name. You washed me with the blood of Jesus. You call me Your child. You placed shoes on my feet (peace with God), a ring on my finger (authority restored), and put the robe on me (righteousness of God). I am so grateful for the continual kiss of kindness by You and Your unending grace. Each day, my life overflows with Your tender mercies, and I want to say I love and Thank You! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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Reflective Questions:
1. How does the post inspire you to intentionally pause and reflect on gratitude in your daily life?
2. Which aspect of the believer's journey resonates with you the most—Creation, Salvation, or His Presence—and why?
3. In what ways can you incorporate a spirit of continuous thankfulness into your relationship with God?
4. How does the anticipation of Christ's coming shape your perspective on the challenges you face in daily life?
5. Consider the biblical verses mentioned. Which one speaks to you personally, and how can you apply its message in your life?
