Tag Archives: gratitude

April 2
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Uncategorized Aside

“For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” (Luke 7:47, NASB)

The more we value something, the higher it rises on our list of what is important.

The woman in today’s scripture valued the forgiveness of God.  It wasn’t something she had taken for granted, and this singular act of God’s grace was always clear, near, and present.

Simon, who also is a part of the narrative of this scripture, took God’s gifts for granted — and it was apparent that he “loves little.”

Who are we: The woman who was filled with gratitude, awe, and love for her Lord because she appreciated the gifts of God; or Simon, who didn’t acknowledge the hand from Whom all of his blessings had come?  – Luther

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February 1
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“Jesus stopped and called them. ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ he asked.  ‘Lord,’ they answered, ‘we want our sight.’  Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.”  (Matthew 20: 32-34, NIV)

“They received. . . and followed him.” 

Having just received sight, the two men suddenly had a lot of options not available to them in their former condition.  Suddenly, there were new places to go, people to see, and pleasures to experience.  However, in gratitude to the One who had compassion on them — when all others were unable or unwilling to help — after receiving their sight, they used both their new sight and their new insight to follow Jesus.

What is it we do after we have received the one thing we’ve asked of God?  Do we choose to follow Him that we might learn more about Him; to be more like Him?  Or, do we choose to return to our former ways of living and thinking; or do we use our new faculties to follow other “masters”?  – Luther

Reminder: Daily Encouragement will be on break tomorrow, as normal.  Please have a good day in worship, praise, and fellowship.  Lord willing, see you again on Monday!

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January 3
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“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.” (Psalm 122:1, KJV)

How’s this for a New Year’s resolution: Enthusiasm for worship with others?

A lot of things conspire to dampen our enthusiasm for worship with others: The sermon doesn’t engage us; the hymns seem random; and — truth be told — the other folks at worship don’t seem to keen to be there, either.

No matter. Perhaps a clue to David’s enthusiasm for approaching the place of corporate worship is found in the preceding psalm (Psalm 121:2): “My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!”

For all of God’s gifts to us, gratitude and praise is the only appropriate response. In the words of an old song of the church, “count your many blessings; count them one by one.  Count your many blessings, see what God has done!”

Resolve to fill every day of 2015 with gratitude and praise, and look forward to worship with others!  Happy New Year!  – Luther

NY

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