My dear brothers and sisters, of FaithLine: “Know that the LORD, HE IS GOD; It is He WHO HAS MADE US, and not we ourselves; WE ARE HIS PEOPLE and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. BE THANKFUL TO HIM, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And HIS TRUTH ENDURES TO ALL GENERATIONS.” (Psa. 100:3-5) God’s love is the foremost aspect of His goodness. All His goodness stems from His unfailing love. And God doesn’t just love His followers, He loves everyone. (John 3:16) says, “For God so loved THE WORLD that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHOEVER believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Therefore, God’s goodness doesn’t just extend to His children but to all. “The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger and great in mercy. THE LORD IS GOOD TO ALL, And His tender mercies are over ALL HIS WORKS.” (Psa. 145:8-9)
It’s hard to be thankful when we are wrongly accused, or criticized, or suffering. When prayers aren’t answered, when plans get changed, or when dreams take too long, the last thing we think about is thankfulness. How in the world can we be thankful for things we don’t like? We know God commands us to be thankful in ALL things, but SOMETIMES IT’S JUST HARD. “Therefore the Lord said: “Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths And honor Me with their lips, But have REMOVED THEIR HEARTS FAR FROM ME…” (Isa. 29:13) Thankfulness is a HEART EXPRESSION not a verbal expression. It’s not really what I say from my mouth as much as what is FLOWING FROM WITHIN. That’s why the Lord says, “…in everything GIVE THANKS; for THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thess. 5:18)
FaithLine, the bible says: “BE THANKFUL TO HIM, and bless His name. For the LORD is good…”
-Bill Stockham