This blog post is my take away from my pastor’s sermon on 11/10/24. It’s good to look back over the notes I take and spend a few minutes during the week to remember what the message was. I’ve listened to a lot of sermons in my life and many of them I don’t remember. But, when I take notes, go over them and write a blog post, I’m amazed at how much sticks with me. But, that’s not the only reason I write. If I share a message that resonates with someone and can make a difference in their faith walk, the time has been well spent. So, let’s get into it!
The title of this post comes from a poem entitled The Revolution Will Not Be Televised. But we know that is not true today. It seems like most things get televised whether their worth air time or not. Some things that should be televised may not seem worthy to the powers that be.
“give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” —1 Thessalonians 5:18
Gratitude is not something we do well, but give thanks in all circumstances! Really? Believe it or not, God is big enough for us to say, “Really, God?”
It’s not easy for us to understand why things happen. Sometimes things need to change, but that’s not going to happen if we all sit at home watching our television. Everything is fair game for being televised now days and the things that sensationalize the stories and draw attention have the best chance of getting air time.
In the days after Paul walked with Jesus after He rose from the dead, he was a changed man. Paul went from killing Christians to preaching to them. He thought he was working for God until he had that encounter that changed his life. He wrote letters to the churches telling them what they did right and what they were doing wrong. If he sere still alive today, all the churches would get letters from him.
We’re not born with grateful hearts. We see what’s missing or wrong, but when life is going well, we don’t take the time to consider what we’re grateful for. Sometimes it’s hard to see that God is good all the time.
Your hurt and frustration are real and gratitude transforms it into a hope that’s bigger than the darkness of our circumstances.
God is not a sugar daddy that will gives us all the things we want. Sometimes we get knocked down. Gratefulness let is pair of glasses that helps us see where God is; his hand at work even when we can’t see it.
Why does this matter? Because gratefulness shifts our attention to God.
God’s presence is even in our storms. Thank God that he’s with you. Be intentional about this! Find whatever lets you enter into a time with God that helps you sense his presence. For some it’s listening to worship music, it might be quiet meditation for you, or a walk in the woods where you can recognize the beauty of his creation. Let gratitude fill your heart! Look for the small gifts that he has for you; a sunrise, a kind word, a moment of peace, the plumbing? Okay, I won’t go into that one, just think if it didn’t work.
The following are Paul’s words to the church in Philippi:
”I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” —Philippians 4:11-13
Your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to think of 3 things that you’re thankful for. Make one of them be a difficult area that you can still have gratitude for. Being grateful doesn’t take away the situation, but it helps you see where God was in the dark times.
1. Acknowledge God’s grace and his sovereignty.
2. Trust God is good even when life isn’t.
3. Gratitude changes us.
4. Make gratitude more than a feeling.
Thanks for reading. I hope you’ll come back next week!
Where God Leads 