The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"Grace and Gratitude"
The value of people truly grateful to God cannot be overstated.
"For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich" (II Corinthians 8:9).
In eternity to come, not only will the Giver be ever near, wondrous a prospect as that is. The grateful will also be there, that, is every human heart redeemed by the salvation of the Lord Jesus will be utterly amazed by what He did to make possible our place with God forevermore. We will all know that no merit of our own secured salvation and its "unsearchable riches of Christ," freely given to all who receive it as the most undeserved gift ever bestowed (Ephesians 3:8). Gratitude will fill the being of all as we honor our Heavenly Father and bless each other with the value of hearts overflowing with appreciation. "O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together!" (Psalm 34:3). The anthem of gratitude will forever sound and resound among the redeemed, who realize the infinite measure of grace purchased by the inestimable cost that made it possible. "He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him" (II Corinthians 5:21).
Presently, we do well to presage Heavenly gratitude by serving upon the earth as those who glorify God and bless people by living with thankful hearts. Grateful people grace us with the presence of God in ways they do not imagine, and in more ways than we realize. Of course, they do not wear gratitude as a garment drawing attention to themselves. They rather sincerely live in wonder regarding the freely given grace of God in Christ. Thereby, they shine as lights bearing thankful witness to a Father more generous than eternity will ever fully reveal. Their witness, whether directly or indirectly, focuses attention on the Christ of Calvary, and the sacrifice He made to purchase every blessing we will ever know of God and His promise to be with us forevermore.
Believers of old often prayed, "Lord, make us truly thankful." Certainly, the attitude expressed in the request speaks of sincerity and humility. However, a "made" thanksgiving would not be meaningful to either God or ourselves. No, we must play our role in gratitude by seeking to better know our Lord's generous heart and faithful hand. Thereby, we will more and more become the genuinely grateful company of the redeemed amazed by grace, and led by His Spirit to the throne of grace where we freely and with wondering hearts join the Psalmist… "I will give thanks unto Thee forever!" (Psalm 30:12). We will honor our Lord greatly and bless people with His grace as gratitude fills our being, forms our attitude toward life, and prepares us to shine with the glory of the Christ who made possible both God's grace and our gratitude.
"He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things."
(Romans 8:32)
"Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God."
(II Corinthians 9:11-12)
Weekly Memory Verse
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now."
(Philippians 1:3-5).
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