 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| PASTORAL |
 |
 |
| Pastor Colin Bacchus |
 |
The attitude of gratitude is an attitude founded in a deeper than usual gratitude. As a result, you need to �count your blessings�, the song says, �name them one by one: and it will surprise you what the Lord has done�. Indeed, � Godliness and contentment is still great gain.� I Timothy 6:6-8. A blessing is an advantage of benefits conferred upon someone by God. The Psalmist categorically states, �He shall receive the blessing from the Lord.� Psalm 24:5. I am blessed. Alleluia! I am doubly blessed. Truly, the sincere Christian can imagine no greater blessing than being in the presence of god living in the light of God�s glory. I am blessed. |
| Furthermore, I am too blessed to be stressed, much less distressed. For, I have sensed and seen the active hand of God in the affairs of my life. It is so beautifully highlighted by the Psalmist, when he said, �I was young, but now I am (not so) old, yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging for bread.� Psalm 37:25. �Beloved, it is still God�s wish, above all things, that we should prosper and be in health even as our souls will prosper.� 3 John 2. Note, who is blessing? The Lord; the God of gods; The Lord of lords; and may I add, the King of Glory. �Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory.� Psalm 24:8.10. It is significant, that God himself through the prophet Isaiah said, �I am He before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the Lord and beside me there is no Saviour� I am the lord your Holy one, the creator of Israel, your king.� Isaiah 43:10,11,15. Surely, the bible is it�s own interpreter. In other words, the blesser leaves the blessed in no doubt as to who is blessing. The God of heaven believe you me, not the landlord, neither the drug lord; not the lord of Winchester, neither the absentee land lord, nor the common lord, but the God who made heaven and earth� Exodus 20; 11. Therefore, in everything give thanks for this is the perfect will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.� I Thessalonians 5:18. It is an attitude because, we know and we are confident, �that all thing work together for good to them that love God.� Romans 8:28. The poem entitled �Attitude� states; I woke up early today, excited over all I get to do Before the clock strikes midnight. I have responsibilities to fulfil today. I am important. My job is to choose what kind of day I am going to have. Today I can complain because the weather is rainy Or I can be thankful that the grass is getting watered for free. Today I can feel sad that I don�t have more money Or I can be glad that my finances encourage me to plan my purchases wisely And guide me away from waste. Today I can grumble about my health Or I can rejoice that I am alive Today I can lament over all that my parents didn�t give me when I was growing up Or I can feel grateful that they allowed me to be born. Today I can cry because roses have thorns Or I can celebrate that thorns have roses Today I can mourn my lack of friends Or I can excitedly embark upon a quest to discover new relationships. Today I can whine because I have to go to work Or I can shout for joy because I have a job to do. Today I can murmur dejectedly because I have to do housework Or I can feel honoured because God has provided shelter for my mind, body and soul. Today stretches ahead of me, waiting to be shaped. And here I am , the sculptor who gets to do the shaping. What today will be like is up to me. I get to choose what kind of day I will have! Have a great day� unless you have other plans. It is your attitude, that will make your day, anyway. |
| THE ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE PART II |