Our HopeSample

GRATITUDE: opens our hearts to blessings.

“We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”

1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 ESV

• Have you ever been so excited to give someone a gift? Maybe you’re a parent and you have been saving to buy your kid the one gift they have been begging for and you are able to buy it. You wrap it all nicely, write a note, and countdown the days until they open the gift. The day comes and they open the gift and the complete opposite reaction is what you saw. You see a fake smile or you hear “You got the wrong one” or “I didn’t want this color.” How would that make you feel?
• The Word of God tells us to enter with thanksgiving! When we are grateful to the Lord, we allow our hearts to be open to the many blessings that He has for us. At this time of the year, we are expecting blessings but are we being grateful for that? Reflect on how you have received the gifts of the Lord this holiday season; with a thankful heart or a boastful heart?