18. Gratitude grows in service – 30 days of thankful Scriptures

Have you ever felt dangerously weak, as if you did not have the strength to take another step? Maybe lots of us have experienced that. I surely have, and I can attribute it to a chronic medical condition. Others may have different reasons to face similar situations. Once we’ve felt feeble and frail and strength-less, we may gain a stronger appreciation for the times when we do have energy and oomph and vim and vigor and strength to get up and go.

When the Lord calls us to do something for Him, doesn’t He always give us what we need to obey in His power? If we are paying attention, we can recognize those instances when we know for certain that we could not have finished the job, run the course, or even made it through a particularly trying day without His help.

“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him.” (1 Timothy 1:12, NLT)

Certainly, for most of us, helping others helps us as well. Some even say serving others can actually encourage those with certain forms of depression. People frequently feel better when they sense they are doing something that matters to other people.

That’s not why we choose to serve. We might say it’s a fringe benefit of blessing the Name of Christ by blessing others.

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11. Thankfulness grows with faith – 30 days of thankful Scriptures

What does it mean to be rooted in faith in God?

When we say someone is putting roots down someplace, we mean that he or she settling there and making that spot home. The phrase points to a tree with roots stretching deeply down into the ground. The roots bring nutrition and hydration up into the tree, allowing it to grow and thrive. They also keep the tree standing strongly in its spot, making it mighty to withstand harsh weather.

That’s what God does for us, when we stand upon faith in Him. He holds us firmly and sustains us daily.

I’m so thankful for that, and I pray He’ll help me to let my own roots grow more determinedly into His power and presence.

 “Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” (Colossians 2:7. NLT)

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Virtuous – God's character from A to Z

I spent far too much time, especially in my younger years, seeking ideal role models. I’m not denying the value of positive figures, and I'm not dumping on mentors. Clearly, people of strong faith and character are both blessings and gifts in our lives. It’s just that we’re never gonna find a perfect example – except the Lord.

Surely, I’ve known good role models and poor ones. I’ve had great mentors and really ghastly ones. And (God help me.) I’ve likely been both on various occasions. We all disappoint. We disrespect. We grow discouraged. We harm and hurt – whether we mean to or not.

Not so with God.

God is virtuous. It’s who He is and always will be. He is holy and awesome and without compare.

I know I have mentioned this before. Here are a few examples:

• Brilliant – God's character from A to Z
• Dignified – God's character from A to Z 
• God's Character Displayed
• Unique – God's character from A to Z
• Who is the Lord?

 

It definitely bears repeating. God is virtuous. Everything He does is ultimately good and for good.

“But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” (1 Peter 1:15-16, NIV)

That’s a tall order. In fact, that’s higher than the tallest order can get. But that’s where He fills and empowers us with His own Spirit. That’s where God’s grace enters the picture. And that’s where He picks up the pieces of our brokenness each time we fall short, covers us with His own wholeness, and sets each of us up with a brand-new start.

Again and again and again.

God is virtuous. And He calls us to follow Him.

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