Perspective

“In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

I recently read that one day on the streets of London, the famous “prince of preachers,” Charles Haddon Spurgeon was robbed.

When he arrived home and told his wife his tale, he said, “Well, thank the Lord anyway!”

His wife countered, “Thank the Lord that somebody stole your money.”

“No, my dear,” answered Charles. Then he began to enumerate some reasons why he was thankful.

“First, I am thankful the robber just took my money, not my life. Secondly, I am thankful I had left most of my money home and he didn’t really rob me of much!

Thirdly, I am thankful to God that I was not the robber!”

Sometimes IN the midst of the challenging times of life, if we look at our circumstances through the lens of gratitude – our circumstances will look so much different.

Last weekend when we lost our power, I am thankful that it wasn’t during a time when the temperatures were below freezing. The damage could have been so much worse.

Our aging phone system at America’s Keswick crashed at just the time a large gift came to cover the cost.

If we stop and think it through, we will be so amazed at the many things we can be thankful for that we would have missed if we hadn’t looked at life through gratitude.

Can I ask you to do me a favor – will you respond to today’s email by sending me some of ways in which you can say, “Thank You, Lord that I …” I’d love to read them as well as include them in a future blog. Thank you, brothers. – Bill Welte is President/CEO of America’s Keswick

Team YOU: Ezekiel 14-15; Proverbs 20; James 2

Motivations: I will be grateful for the twenty-four hours that are before me. Time is a precious commodity. I refuse to allow what little time I have to be contaminated by self-pity, anxiety, or boredom. I will face this day with the joy of a child and the courage of a giant. I will drink each minute as though it is my last. When tomorrow comes, today will be gone forever. While it is here, I will use it for loving and giving. Today I will make a difference. I can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens me. Max Lucado – Shaped by God

Practice to Remember: Level 1:James 3:17-18; Level 2: James 3:13-18

Powered Up:  Never SAY you will pray about a thing; PRAY ABOUT IT. – Oswald Chambers