Are You A Burden Bearer?…
    Carrying Someone’s Burden (Galatians 6:2)
 
Galatians 6:2, Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
 
There is no shortage of people in need. Have you ever been so busy in life that you missed the opportunity to do something big in the life of another? We all need help and we are all helpers—that’s part of being human. But what does it look like to help each other well? The people who help best are people who both need help and give help—being able to share their burdens and to bear the burdens of others.
 
In many cities in the Middle East, carriages or carts were not allowed to enter the city gates, so porters usually had to carry heavy loads on their backs. These men were often chosen from among the poor and were forced to spend long days and nights in back-breaking labor. Often, two porters would walk side-by-side and take turns relieving each other.
 
So when Jesus told those who were “heavy-laden” to come to Him for rest-it was a clear illustration of an everyday struggle (Matthew 11:28). When Paul encouraged the Galatian church to “bear one another’s burdens,” (Galatians 6:2), it was more than a spiritual truth-it was a way for Christians to practically live out their faith.
 
Walking alongside someone who is going through hardship means making time for that person, maybe at a child’s ball game, or at church, or over coffee, or during a small group meeting. It means having conversations that go beneath the surface, hearing what’s on his or her heart, and praying for and together with the person.  As people who are needed, we can ask to hear our friend’s story. The better you know other people, the more you enjoy, appreciate, pray with, and love them. And the more you love them, the more they will invite you into their lives in times of hardship.  Problems are complex, and there will be times when limits to our human gifts, abilities, and experience create the need for co-helpers.
 
Maybe today you can do something to help lighten someone’s load. Think of someone who is hurting in your church or your community-and think of a way you can do something practical that will help them. Bearing other’s burdens is sometimes more than kind words and sweet notes. It’s rolling up your sleeves and doing something positive to affect their lives. If we are not willing to help others with their problems, then we have no one to whom we can minister.
 
I want to encourage you today to be sensitive to the needs of others who are around you. When you go to church, go to work, or even spend time with your family and friends, ask the Holy Spirit to help you see when people are carrying too much by themselves. If you discern that they are burdened, go to them and ask, How can I pray for you today? What is happening in your life?

God may use you to bring real relief and freedom into someone’s situation. Perhaps just providing a listening ear is all that is needed to help that person get through his or her dilemma.

On the other hand, if an overwhelming problem, weakness, habit, or sin is pressing down on your life, you need to be humble enough to say, Hey, I need someone to pray with me! This is too much for me to do completely by myself! It may be difficult for you to open your heart and reveal your need, but it will be far more difficult for you to carry it alone until you eventually become emotionally devastated by that burden.

As brothers and sisters in the Lord, we need to do everything we can to step deeply into people’s lives in order to encourage and refresh them spiritually and to help them get through their problems. When we see someone struggling, we must be bold enough to ask that person how we can help! When we work together as a Body in this way, every need will be addressed and met!

1. Have there been situations in your life when you thought you might break under the weight you were trying to carry by yourself? When that happened, did anyone come to you and ask how he or she might help or pray for your needs?

2. Have you ever gone to others to see how you could help them through the situations they were enduring? Or have you been too self-consumed to remember that other people have needs too?

3. Do you know of individuals you should check on today to see what you can do to help them through a situation they are facing? In what ways can you be a strength or an encouragement to them?
 
Prayer, Lord, I am asking You to help me be sensitive to the needs of other people. Help me to stop being so self-consumed with my own concerns that I am negligent in recognizing the needs of people around me who need help and prayer. Holy Spirit, help me see through the masks people tend to wear to cover up what is really happening in their lives. Give me the wisdom to know how to approach people who need strength and encouragement. I pray this in Jesus’ name! Amen.
 
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  Having a Mind of Prayer (I Thessalonians 5:17)
 
I Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
 
Most of us have learned throughout the years that we must schedule a prayer time with God. This is a great practice—because if we don’t plan to visit with the Lord, then it will get quickly swept away in the busyness of our day. He who runs from God in the morning will scarcely find Him the rest of the day. — John Bunyan. I cannot emphasize the importance of prayer enough. It is the means by which we make our supplications known unto the Lord.
 
“Praying without ceasing” doesn’t mean that one must pray every minute of every day. That would be impractical. It means to be regular, faithful and steadfast in your prayer life. It carries the idea of consistency. We ought to always be in an attitude of prayer and communion with the Lord. We should always be in the mindset of prayer, even if we’re not physically on our knees or mouthing the words. This is what the Apostle Paul meant when he said, “Pray without ceasing.” God's people are to be a praying people.
 
I fear that we often reserve prayer for church services, at meal time, or at the close of the day, but we need to be consistent and continual in prayer. Andrew Murray made this observation: “Prayer and life are inseparably connected. Which has the stronger influence over you, prayer for 5 or 10 minutes, or the whole day spent in the desires of the world? Let it not surprise you if your prayers are not answered. Learn this great lesson: my prayer must rule my whole life.”
 
What is needed to live such a life of prayer? The first thing is undoubtedly an entire sacrifice of one’s life to God’s kingdom and glory. If you try to pray without ceasing because you want to seem religious and good, you will never succeed. Yielding ourselves to live for God and His honor enlarges the heart and teaches us to regard everything in the light of God and His will. We automatically recognize in everything around us the need for God’s help and blessing, and an opportunity for His being glorified.
 
Paul’s exhortations were: “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit . . . for all saints; and for me” (Ephesians 6:18-19) and “Continue in prayer…withal praying also for us” (Colossians 4:2-3). To forget oneself—to live for God and His kingdom among men—is the way to learn to pray without ceasing.
 
Don’t abandon your daily prayer time but work to cultivate a constant conversation with God throughout your day. Stop during moments of stress and ask for His strength. Praise Him during victories. Intercede for friends, loved ones, or co-workers facing trials. To see our prayers answered, we must seek to get beyond the five or ten minutes in the morning and make our conversation with God an all-day event. Prayer is such an important matter that we are instructed to operate with a constant attitude of prayer.
 
· What choices can I make today that will help me to focus on praying without ceasing?
 
· How does knowing that I am a “watchman” when I pray affect what I am praying about?
 
Prayer: Father, with my whole heart I praise You for this wondrous life of continuous prayer, continuous fellowship, continuous answers, and continuous oneness with Him who lives to pray forever! Father keep me abiding and walking in the presence of Your glory, so that my prayer may be the spontaneous expression of my life with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
 
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                  Storms of Life (Acts 27) 
 
Todays devotion is an excerpt taken from the Leadership page from our website. If you would like to read this lesson in its entirety, please open the Leadership link.
 
Acts 27 speaks of a great storm that occurred at sea, causing Paul’s fourth shipwreck, while he was on his way to Rome. Although the ship was damaged beyond repair, thankfully, no one on board lost his life. The Lord knows where we are and what we go through! Amid a great and long storm there was on the ship the man of God who had a word from God. Christian’s should give words of hope and encouragement in times of darkness and trials! We know the Lord Jesus and the forgiveness of sins and we have been given the Word of God and we are the light of the world! Paul was letting his light shine on the ship in the dark and difficult days.
 
Paul gives an address to the crew—he begins to preach and exhort the people. Obviously, they should have listened to Paul warning. In such a critical hour of need Paul had a word from the Lord, but the people resisted his warning. Much of the world’s problems today are because people will not listen. Many will listen and receive the advice from the philosopher, the psychologist, and the professor, but reject men like Paul. Because the crew was stubborn and prideful, they would not listen to Paul and the result was that they experienced disaster and loss. It pays to pay attention to men of God with a Word from God!
 
You may be in the midst of a difficult storm right now. Your life may be headed in a direction contrary to God's will, but if you belong to Him hope remains. The children of God are going to make it home. Storms will come our way, but we are secure in Jesus; therefore, believe God and trust in Him. He is greater than any storm we may face. He can either calm the storm or calm us in the midst of the storm. If we could see Him as He is, we would find peace and refuge.
 
Is Jesus at the helm of your vessel? Are you following His direction or have you chosen to chart your own course? Going contrary to the will of God is never a good decision. The Lord stands ready to restore you, but you must seek Him. If you are going your own way, things will soon get out of hand if they haven't already. If you are not part of the family of God, you are charting your own course. As of yet you have failed to admit your need for the Lord or His guidance in your life. He stands ready to save and direct your life as well. Come to the Lord and receive the peace that only He can give.
 
Questions to Consider:
Trials can make us either better or bitter.
What makes the difference?
Is it a sin to be discouraged? Why/why not?
It is easy in a trial to feel angry toward God.
Is this ever permissible? If so, how?
If not, how do we deal with it?
Sometimes our attempts to encourage someone fail. How can we offer genuine encouragement in Christ?
Are there things that we should avoid saying or doing at such times? 

Prayer: Lord, as we sail through life's storms, may Your presence and rule in our lives preserve our trust in You. May we not allow the winds and waves to draw us aside from serving You faithfully, wholeheartedly, courageously. When we must decide whether to believe circumstances or the Sovereign Lord, may we again and again choose to trust in You. May others see You in us and come to know You too. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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When Anger Rears Its Ugly Head (Proverbs 14:29)

​Proverbs 14:29, "He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly."
 
The difference between those whose anger controls them and those who control their anger is not found in whether things happen to provoke anger. All of us are going to experience disappointments, hurts, and insults from time to time. The question is how we will respond. We have the choice of keeping our anger in check no matter what has transpired. While there is a time and a place for righteous anger, far more often we “fly off the handle” and respond in the heat of the moment. Thomas Jefferson said, “When angry, count to ten before you speak. If very angry, count to one hundred.” Knowing that an immediate reaction is likely to be wrong, we should carefully consider our response when we are provoked. If you quickly grow angry and lose your temper your wrath will place you in great danger. There is great wisdom in being slow to wrath and controlling one’s anger (James 1:19; Proverbs 15:18).
 
In our case, our temper can cost us our job, our marriage, our health, our testimony and closeness with people we love. Temper tantrums can damage the relationship with your wife, kids, or friends, making it difficult to communicate or be close to them because they have been hurt by you or don't trust you. If you are a pastor that struggles with losing your temper, it can hinder your effectiveness in ministering to the people of your church. In fact, you may lose them. A lady once came to Billy Sunday and attempted to rationalize her angry outbursts. She said, “There’s nothing wrong with losing my temper. I blow up, and then it’s all over.” Mr. Sunday replied, “So does a shotgun, and look at the damage it leaves behind!”
 
There are some people who make excuses for their anger. They say, "It just runs in my family." Or belittle it by joking that they are like a loaded shotgun with a hair trigger. Anytime they are pushed into a corner, they blast away. Then they say, "Oh, well, my anger only lasts a little while." Well, so do tornadoes, but look at what damage they can cause! When you are quick to get angry, you can lose so much. You can lose your job, friends, children, wife, health, and testimony. There is nothing more debilitating, devastating, or unbearable to your Christian testimony than for you to fly off the handle. Below are ten warnings of uncontrolled anger.
 
We need to bring our anger to the Lord and ask Him to help us act like Him toward those who offend us. Some of us need to get before the Lord today and ask for help, because we know that we might not be angry right now, but it could happen before the lights are out tonight. And, we know that when anger comes, we will need God’s help to respond properly. Others have been simmering in your own anger for quite a while now. The best thing you can do is get to the Lord and ask Him to turn down the heat in your heart before you have a meltdown.

Submit your unbridled anger to God. Allow Him to redirect this powerful emotion for His glory. There will be plenty of things which will make you angry. How are you going to deal with them? If you give them to God, you will have peace; but if you hold onto them, you will be a wildfire waiting to break loose.
 
Prayer: Father, I know that sooner or later I will experience anger. Help me, to handle it wisely that it doesn’t control me. When that time comes give me strength to give it to You for Your glory and for me good so that it does not consume me.  In Jesus name, Amen.
 
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     The Lord Sees All Things (Proverbs 15:3)
 
Proverbs 15:3, The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
 
Have you ever tried to hide from anyone? Were you successful? Well, one thing is certain - we can never hide from God! He knows everything! We acknowledge this fact, yet often continue in our sins. We may even attempt to cover our sins, putting on a saintly face at church while we live like the devil during the week. My friends, we cannot fool God. The God who created and made all things is not only omnipotent, He is omnipresent.
 
One of the great and far reaching truths of the Christian life is that God is Omnipresent. In other words, He is everywhere at the same time. This has both a convicting and encouraging side to it. These following Scriptures mention the omnipresence of God (Psalm 139:1-12; II Chronicles 16:9; Jeremiah 16:17; 23:24; Job 31:4; 34:21; Matthew 28:20; Zechariah 4:10; Hebrews 4:13).
 
We many times think of a child who is trying to steal a cookie out of the cookie jar, who looks left, and then right, thinking no one sees him. This would be the negative side to this great truth. But even if his parent doesn’t see him, God does! The truth is, God always sees everything we do. Nothing is hidden from Him. We would be best to take it by faith and be careful how we live, knowing HE knows all and sees all. For as the Bible says, “…be sure, your sin will find you out(Numbers 32:23)”. And He has not changed His mind regarding sin. God hates sin too much and loves us too much to allow us to get away with secret sin.
 
As Christians we must never lose sight of the fact that God sees and knows everything that we do and think. No matter how carefully we may hide from others, nothing is hidden from His sight. Hebrews 4:13 says, “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” God knows what we are doing and what we desire to do. Nothing is hidden from God. He knows all and sees all.
 
But there is also an encouraging side to this. The Lord sees us also when we are struggling with discouragement or a difficult trial in life. He is there when we are in pain, whether physical or emotional. He is there when we feel like we are lonely or feel like failures. He is there when we cry out to Him for help… and He hears!
 
We can take heart as believers! The Lord will never leave us nor forsake us. Not only that, but He will go through life with us, as the Good Shepherd that He is. No wonder the Bible says, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me(Hebrews 13:5-6)”. 
 
What do we have? We have Almighty God as our Saviour and Shepherd. He is also our source of contentment. This is truly worth thinking about and rejoicing over! The Lord sees, knows, and walks with us every day. I’m glad He sees all things!
 
God knows if you are in the right or if you are wrong, even if you are uncertain. He knows the awkwardness of your situation when you have made a difficult decision and few people support you. Trust that God knows enough about you to lead you in the right direction. Trust that He loves you enough to convict you when you are going astray. Finally, trust that He cares enough to stand by your side through it all.
 
Prayer: Father, You know my heart. You focus on me and know every detail of my life. Search me right now. Cleanse me and free me from anything that displeases You. Not only do You see me, but You also value me. Thank You that I can never lose Your love. Help me to have a more intimate relationship with You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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   One of the Hardest Things We’ll Ever Do Is…
                  Wait on God! (Psalm 62:5)
 
Psalm 62:5, My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.
 
To be honest, I’m not sure to whom I’m writing this post today–but I suspect somebody needs to hear it. The pastor in me comes to life when I’m reminded of believers who increasingly grow impatient with God, and I want us to pray for one another about that issue today. God is operating on a schedule that we cannot see! (Isaiah 55:8-9).
 
Because He is outside time, God's timing is not the same as ours. One of the most important traits of the Christian life is patience. Over 150 times some form of the word “wait” appears in the Bible. Waiting on God results in us being strengthened (Isaiah 40:31).
 
One of the hardest things we’ll ever do is to wait on God! Many times, in life GOD tells us to wait, yet we trust our own judgment and do our own will. Choosing your personal will over God’s, will always result in reaping consequences. Delays do not mean God will fail to come through. Be willing to patiently wait on God, and to trust in Him even when you do not understand what He is doing.
 
I begin with some Bible texts that remind me that I need to let God help me with my impatience:
· “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)
· “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” (Psalm 27:14)
“I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.” (Psalm 130:5-6)
· “Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.” (Micah 7:7).
 
When I read these verses, waiting seems so easy. We simply look forward to the day when God is going to respond, and we stay focused on Him in the meantime. The truth is for most of us waiting is not easy. It is one of the hardest things to do.  
 
Why, then, does God require us to wait?
1.Waiting reminds us that He is in charge. We’re not in charge of the calendar or the clock. We don’t control all things. Only God does, and His calling us to wait reminds us of that truth. Man may possess the finest watches or clocks money can buy, buy God owns the time!
 
2.Waiting teaches us faith. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1). The concept almost assumes a gap in timing between our request and God’s response. If everything happened immediately, faith would be less necessary.
 
3.Waiting makes us grateful. When we pray for something and God requires us to wait, we are more grateful when He finally does respond positively to our prayers. And, we learn in a strange way to be grateful as we wait even if He chooses to respond “no” to our prayers.
 
4.Waiting reveals our idolatries. If we simply can’t wait on God, it’s likely because something we want to happen is more important to us than God’s overall plan. We think our plan is so right that God needs to respond to it right now.
 
5.Waiting prepares us for whatever God has for us in the future. Whatever God’s plan is, waiting is often God’s way of saying, “You’re not ready to receive what you want yet.” He knows our hearts, and He alone knows when He needs to do some work in us before granting our request. Our call is to trust Him in the meantime.
 
Prayer: Lord, I know too often I pray for my will rather than Your will to be done. I know that You have the results already worked out. Teach me to learn to wait on You. 
 
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   Developing a Holy Lifestyle (I Peter 1:14-16)
 
I Peter 1:14-16, "As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy."
 
This is Peter’s plea for holy living. Those who desire to truly walk with God and make a difference in this world for Him must be holy. Holiness is not negotiable. It is central to the very nature and character of God, and it must be central to our lives. It is impossible for us to have His power and enjoy unhindered fellowship with Him apart from holiness. To be holy people, we must be focused on Christ’s coming, obedient in all of life, and growing in our knowledge of God’s holiness.
 
The gifted and greatly used Scottish pastor, Robert Murray M’Cheyne, wrote to his missionary friend Daniel Edwards these powerful words in 1840: “Remember you are God’s sword—His instrument—I trust a chosen vessel unto Him to bear His name. In great measure, according to the purity and perfections of the instrument will be the success. It is not great talents God blesses so much as great likeness to Jesus. A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand of God.”
 
It is not possible to have a lasting, fruitful ministry for God while harboring secret sins. A person may be able to maintain a façade for a while, but eventually the sin will be discovered and the truth will be revealed. Many greatly used men have fallen because they thought they could be holy only on the surface without it affecting their lives and ministries. Holiness must begin in the heart. When we love God as we should--“…with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” (Matthew 22:37)--we will not allow anything that displeases Him to enter or remain in our lives.
 
But remember, “be holy” actually means, “be becoming holy.” It’s a process. Holiness is formed over a lifetime; it’s not like poof--the moment you turn to Jesus, you’re the final thing. Holiness comes by trying, failing, and continually learning to live a life set apart from the world’s mold.
 
Holiness takes root in your life as you get into God’s Word and with God’s people, increasingly surrendering your mind and your body to the life God has called you to. Here’s the good news. It’s happening today. God is pouring His character into you with every righteous decision you make to be like His Son. Illustration: A woman from Berne, Switzerland, tells us this story of her country's flower, the Edelweiss. The very name of this plant is a story in itself. Edelweiss is a compound word which in the German language means "noble and white." It is a small perennial herb of the Aster family whose pure white blossom must be sought after, since it nestles in the highest snowy cliffs of the Alps. It is so absolutely white that it blends perfectly with its snowy environment, losing its identifying characteristics completely in its surroundings. Even when picked and pressed in paper for preservation, it remains free from discoloration for many years. It retains its purity. If we are to be like the edelweiss, we must keep ourselves pure and noble, endeavoring to walk with God each day. As we yield to the Holy Spirit and live a godly life, we take on the traits of the Lord Jesus Christ and become more like Him.
 
· As we are renewed in our personal holiness, the impact of our work for God will increase.
· We should seek to change the world around us rather than the world changing us.
· If someone were to describe your life as a believer, what characteristics would they mention?
· Take account of your life and how you interact with the world around you.
· Daily spend time with God and seek to be a shining light of God's holiness to others.
· As I review my life, in what ways can I say I am not the person I used to be?
· If I were to ask someone close to me, would they notice these changes?
 
Prayer: Father, it’s amazing that You are not only saving me, You are also transforming me into the likeness of Your Son. However, I need Your help to make the right decisions and live a life that is set apart. I long to “be becoming” holy. Forgive me when I fail, and give me Your strength to succeed. In Jesus’ name, Amen
   
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  Testimony and Character of Job (Job 1:20-22)
 
Job 1:20-22, "Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly."
 
This passage in Job is one of the most powerful passages in the entire Bible because it presents to us some of the crucial building blocks for the true worship of God Almighty. You can't mention the name Job without immediately thinking of suffering and trials. Job is God's example of a life of devastation and intense loss. Yet also in the name Job you have to think of gratefulness and praise.
 
Not much is told about Job's early life. From the beginning of Job 1, we see that God had blessed Job with many children, much wealth, large properties, much livestock, and overwhelming success. Yet among all that, the Bible describes Job as "perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil" (Job 1:1). Among all his success, Job honored God.
 
One day Satan approached God and sought to prove that Job's righteousness was simply out of abundance. God allowed Satan to bring loss into Job's life as long as Job's life was preserved. Immediately after God allowed that the devil hit Job hard. His animals and servants were slaughtered, his fields were burned, and his children were killed. In the span of a few verses, Job lost everything. How did Job react to such loss? How would you react in such a situation? While some people could rationalize becoming upset with God, questioning His goodness, and turning away from God, Job reacted in a humble, godly manner. Job never once blamed God for what had happened. Not once did he sin against God in cursing Him for the trials he faced.
 
Your testimony during a trial will have a greater impact than your testimony during prosperity. The Christian that can praise and worship God when his entire world seems to be caving in is a person who has deep devotion, love, and a strong relationship with the Lord. Job teaches us with his life that genuine worship is not distracted by traumatic circumstances. In fact, he is one of several men in the Bible that praised and worshiped God in times of affliction and great crisis.
 
The immediate reaction of facing trials is asking "why?" We want an explanation as to why we have to face a difficult situation that others don't. Yet God wants us to view the trial as an opportunity to honor Him. God often works greatest during times of greatest pain. Rather than asking "why," thank God that He has given you a unique opportunity to honor Him. Your testimony during a trial will have a greater impact than your testimony during prosperity. Thank God that He has allowed you to be such a witness! Take time today to call out to God in praise specifically for your trial. Follow Job's lead and say, "Blessed be the name of the LORD." If you can still praise God in your trial, He will use you as a blessing to others as well.
 
Prayer: Lord, help me to stay strong and to praise You when trials come. I’m thankful for people like Job who have trusted in You when suffering. Help me to honor You in times of great affliction and anguish by worshipping You during my trial. In Jesus name, Amen!   
 
 
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     Our Abundant Spiritual Blessings in Christ     
Ephesians 1:3, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
 
Imagine Paul as he sits in his prison cell at Rome contemplating the things of God when all at once he breaks out in praise and worship. It was just him and God. God flooded Paul's heart and he broke forth in praise. True worship comes from praise-filled hearts of the redeemed. God is the source Who supplies us with our blessings. Those who have been saved by the wonderful grace of God can lay claim upon these many blessings. Not some spiritual blessings, but all.
 
My friend you may not have much by way of material things, but when you were born again, you were born rich. Have you ever heard of the story of a famous oil field called Yates Pool? Well, during the Depression, this field was a sheep ranch owned by a man named Yates. Mr. Yates wasn't able to make enough on his ranch to pay the principal and interest on the mortgage, so he was in danger of losing his ranch. With little money for clothes or food, his family (like many others) had to live on government subsidies. Day after day, as he grazed his sheep over those rolling West Texas hills, he was no doubt troubled about how he would pay his bills. Then a seismographic crew from an oil company came into the area and told him there might be oil on his land. They asked permission to drill a wildcat well, and he signed a lease contract. At 1,115 feet they struck a huge oil reserve. The first well came in at 80,000 barrels a day. Many future wells were more than twice as large. In fact, 30 years after the discovery, a government test of one of the wells showed it still had the potential flow of 125,000 barrels of oil a day and Mr. Yates owned it all. The day Mr. Yates bought the land he had received the oil and mineral rights. Yet, he'd been living on relief. He was a multimillionaire living in poverty. What was the problem? He didn't know the oil was there even though he owned it. Many Christians live in spiritual poverty, anxiety, and fear. They are entitled to the gifts of the Holy Spirit, His energizing power and soothing comfort, but they are ignorant or not aware of these blessings because they fail to walk with God, read His Word, and let Him control their lives. Does this describe you? Walking with the Lord who lives within you will help you stay close to Him and conquer any fears you may face, especially the fear of rejection.
 
Prayer: Father in heaven, thank You for the comfort and hope we have in You and with Your Words of promise. Help me to always be reminded that you not only gave me salvation but also provision. In Jesus name, Amen!
 
This is an excerpt from a Bible study. You can read the full study in its entirety when you open the Bible Study link.
 
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  10 Concerns in the Christians Walk with God – Part 10

10. Express Your Attitude of Gratitude
Thankfulness is the attitude that perfectly replaces our sinful tendency to complain and in so doing releases joy and blessing into our lives. Thankfulness is the ideal replacement for complaining.
 
Paul praises God for the salvation of the Thessalonians. Notice: Paul mentions all three members of the trinity in this verse II Thessalonians 2:13, But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth. Not only did he again express his thanks for them, but he also wrote they were beloved of God. That in itself should bear encouragement. Sometimes we think that we are thankful people, but too often we neglect to express our gratitude. Often this is the result of failure to appreciate what we have.
 
Gratitude is a Vital Virtue
Here are three reasons gratitude is a vital virtue for spiritual development:
 
1. God requires our thanksgiving
Thanksgiving, as we have just noted, is a form of praise to God. When we thank God, we give credit to God. That honors and praises God. Praise is to be continuous. God's performance, unlike our performance, is always praiseworthy. The most important reason we express gratitude is because God requires we offer Him our thanks. God takes our gratitude or lack thereof extremely seriously. We are always required to give God what He is due including our thankfulness. Everyone can make the decision to give thanks and acknowledge the goodness of God
 
2. Gratitude keeps our focus on God (and off ourselves)
His thanksgiving was not based on what they were doing for God, but on what God did for them.
When we develop a habit of gratitude, we are constantly asking two questions: “For what should I be grateful?” and “To whom do I owe thanks?” The more we express our gratitude the more our eyes are opened to the benevolence of God and His generosity in bestowing us with goodness and blessings. When we see how much we owe to God it helps to reduce our own self-centeredness. 
 
3. The blessing of having enough.
When we focus on ourselves, we lose the opportunity for God to use us. Every person can come up with a list of things they would like to have (and there is nothing wrong with owning things if the things don’t own us). If we are honest in our assessment, we would have to say that we have far more than most people in the world, and more than we must have to live. The reality of our lives is that we do have enough— we simply need to be content with what God has provided and thank Him for it. How often do we focus on what we can get or how to provide for ourselves without thinking of those less fortunate than us? Yet many times we can pass by others without stopping to help.
 
When was the last time you helped the elderly? When was the last time you carved out time in your schedule to sit and listen to someone who's hurting? When was the last time you bought a meal for a family in financial trouble? Rather than always expecting to be showered with gifts, live your life giving of yourself to others. Thank God for what you already have and commit to focusing on others rather than yourself today.
 
When we ponder on all the good things we have because of God’s grace and rejoice in the Lord our hearts will erupt with gratitude. Gratitude heals our hearts. It displaces lethal complaining. It opens our eyes to the innumerable graces of God in our everyday lives. In our hurry through life, we neglect gratitude. Rather than rushing off to the next thing, spend some time thanking Jesus for specific gifts in your life. Make a gratitude list.
 
·Be thankful for what He has already given you!
·Ask God today to help you have an attitude of gratitude!
·Have you thanked God today for His many blessings in your life?
·Take your eyes off yourself and focus on the goodness of God.
·Take time to thank God today for all He has done for you.
 
Prayer, Heavenly Father, please forgive my shallow, immature, faith-choking ingratitude. You shower me with Your blessings, yet how rarely I stop to truly thank You. Thank You for all that You have done for me. Please replace my complaints with thanks. Thank You for Your Son, Jesus. It’s in His name I pray, amen.
 
 
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