 |
Featured Article – Thankfulness from the core of your soul by Kandi A. White It’s hard to believe and it’s almost frightening how fast 2005 is passing by. I can remember so clearly the beginning of the year and the aspirations I had for 2005. I am encouraged by many accomplishments this year and I trust something you have read in the Hours of Pure Gold newsletter has encouraged and motivated you to take the first step, to get started on that special project, to start living your dreams. But I want to leave that aside right now and consider what we can truly be thankful for this year. Thankfulness from the core of our souls. These are the inner blessings, the moments that that spring forth within us a spirit of gratefulness and praise. These are the moments that can’t be repaid with a price, where a mere thank you just isn’t enough. I think Psalm 100 describes it best. 1. Shout with joy before the Lord, O earth! 2. Obey him gladly; come before him, singing with joy. 3. Try to realize what this means – the Lord is God! He made us – we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 4. Go through his open gates with great thanksgiving; enter his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name. 5. For the Lord is always good. He is always loving and kind, and his faithfulness goes on and on to each succeeding generation. In verses 1 and 2 we are told to shout with joy, to sing with joy. How many people do you know who live daily without joy in their lives? Yes, they may be happy sometimes but this is only temporary, no real everlasting joy. Only God can bring joy to our very souls, only when we live in him, obey his word and share the blessings he gives us with others. I’m full of joy just for having another opportunity to share Hours of Pure Gold with you and I’m forever thankful for your support. In verse 3, we are reminded that the Lord is God! The Lord, not you and not me. Not the leaders of the countries or those starting wars. When we take our eyes off God and do what we want, there’s always trouble. Look all around you and you’ll know this is true. I’m thankful to the core of my soul that God made me. I am one of his people, he is my shepherd. How comforting are these words and how assuring they are of God’s care and love for us especially in a world that has so much turmoil, confusion and hate. Jesus is known as the good shepherd. A shepherd takes care of his flock. If one is lost he will look for it. Stay in the flock my friends, have joy, encourage others, show love to your family and friends and in all things give God thanks. Verse 4 tells us to go through his open gates with great thanksgiving; enter his courts with praise. When I think of this verse, I think of the future when I will meet my Lord at the gates of heaven. I’m so thankful that a sinner like me would even be considered to enter his gates. One thing we can do is practice now, by opening our hearts to receive all that God has in store for us, to live a life acceptable to him. A great test is to love our neighbor as ourselves. We can always measure how good we are doing by the love your neighbor as yourself test. And verse 5 is the perfect example of how we should be: good, loving, kind, and faithful always. The Lord is God, and he will never change. I trust you can find and remember moments throughout 2005 to be truly thankful from the core of your soul. May God continue to richly bless you all. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Inspiration, Motivation, and Gratitude, a resource to help you find your true purpose in life. http://www.xlibris.com/hoursofpuregold.html |
|
