Positive Attitudes for a Christian to Follow

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.” -1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 (ESV)

Paul the Apostle gives excellent advice for the Christian in these verses. With pertinent and short statements, he gives straightforward and clear advice concerning attitudes a Christian should practice daily to live a victorious life in Chris.

First is “rejoice always.” Is it possible for the Christian to have a joy-filled heart no matter what the circumstances? How can this be? When troubles come, when adversity is a constant companion? How can one rejoice always?

We do not depend on our circumstances to bring us the joy Paul writes about. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit and comes from knowing Jesus, not from our circumstances or the conditions we face in life. Remembering this truth, we can truly “rejoice always!”

Praying without ceasing suggests a mental attitude of prayerfulness. We should walk so closely to God that we can commune with Him about anything at any time. In our prayers, we also give thanks, knowing that even difficult circumstances help us to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

As a Christian, I should live a prayer-filled life and one that gives thanks to God consistently and regularly. Alfred Lord Tennyson, noted English poet, wrote, “More things are wrought through prayer than this world dreams of.” In our praying, we should be regular, consistent and thankful.

A wonderful Christian hymn written by Johnson Oatman, Jr. (1856-1922) tells us:

“Count your blessings, name them one by one;

Count your blessings, see what God hath done;

Count your blessings, name them one by one;

Count your many blessings see what God hath done.

Thank You, Lord, that You give us deep-seated joy from Your Spirit living within us. We thank You for joy, peace and salvation. Let us count our blessings and rejoice always over what You, Lord, accomplish in our life yielded to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen. - Ethelene Dyer Jones 03.26.2017

Developing an Attitude of Gratitude

“Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of a reverence for Christ.” -Ephesians 5:20-11.”Pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” -1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 (ESV).

     This is our Thanksgiving season, a special time set aside in November to give thanks. Do we consider the seriousness of giving thanks, and how the Word of God urges us to “give thanks for everything,” and to “give thanks in all circumstances?”

     Most of us have difficulty overcoming the inability to “give thanks for all things” and “in all circumstances.”

     What about illness of self or one dear to us? Can we give thanks in this circumstance?

     Or what about hard times, some situation or event that clearly challenges every effort we can engage just to subsist or live through it? But to give thanks in it? That is difficult indeed.

     I recently heard a man’s son give a beautiful eulogy of his deacon father at the man’s memorial service. In the remarks about his loving and stalwart Christian father, the son recounted how his father always taught his children that they are strengthened by adversity and can, indeed thank the Lord for trying circumstances. Accepting the difficult situations as times to gain strength and to grow closer to the Lord and depend upon Him for guidance helps one to grow in character. If we can remember to be thankful in circumstances and to depend upon God’s guidance to bring us through whatever we are facing, victory surely will be ours. We will come through the period of trial a stronger and more understanding person.

     To develop an attitude of gratitude means to sincerely seek to have a spirit of thanksgiving every day. It is good upon arising to quote sincerely Psalm 118:24: “This is the day which the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” In this way, the believer starts on a plane of gratitude and it will be more likely that throughout the day his spirit will rejoice and seek that which is uplifting and inspirational, even in hard situations.

     As we count our blessings this Thanksgiving, and give God glory for bringing us safely through another year, may we also give consideration to cultivating an attitude of gratitude that will help us every day to count our blessings and be grateful for the difficult circumstances as well as those that are happy, manageable and don’t require extreme effort.

     This exercise should help us to see that God is good, all the time, and every circumstance holds something good for those who love the Lord and seek to do His will. - Ethelene Dyer Jones 11.20.2016

Thanksgiving

“I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify Him with thanksgiving.”

Thanksgiving is an act of worship. It is our gratitude directed toward God. Thanksgiving was central in Old Testament worship. It was also a vital element in Christian worship in the New Testament. Furthermore, we are advised in Scripture to be vigilant in giving thanks. Paul wrote this in 1 Thessalonians 5:18:

      “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus

       concerning you.” (KJV)

Maybe we find it very difficult to follow the advice in this verse: “In everything give thanks?” we ask. What about our hardships? What about the times when we have losses in storms or some calamity? “In everything give thanks?”

Think of the hardships the Pilgrims endured on the journey to the New World and their first year here. Yet in 1621 Governor Bradford of Plymouth Colony and the Rev. William Brewster set a time for Thanksgiving. They invited Chief Massasoit, Squanto and the friendly Wampanoag Indians to help them celebrate. The day became so important that our government set a day for Thanksgiving. When we say ‘thanksgiving’ we think of a special day. Let us hope that, although it is a time of enjoying bounty, a feast of our favorite Thanksgiving menus, it is also a time when we count our blessings and truly give thanks for the reasons this Psalm declares:

      “The Lord is gracious and merciful,

      slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

      The Lord is good to all,

      and His mercy is over all that He has made

      All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,

      and all your saints shall bless you!” -Psalm 145:8-10 (ESV).

What is on your Thanksgiving list this year? Remember to have a heart of gratitude for blessings large and small. Make your own “Catalogue of Thanks.”

For rest and comfort of each night,

For morning sun at dawn’s first light;

For water at my tap to drink

For family love and friendship’s link/

For food upon the table spread,

The fragrances of fresh-baked bread.

For clothes, for shelter overhead,

For every kind word fitly said;

For seasons changing, one on one,

For sorrow’s grief, laughter and fun;

The sum of every day’s felt needs,

For work and harmony that feeds

Our purposes for having life;

For being one with joy and strife;

For life abundant, salvation free,

A gift from Christ who died for me;

For all the fabric of my days

I lift my voice in thanks and praise.

-Ethelene Dyer Jones 11.23.2014