View allAll Photos Tagged lovingkindness
Harris Brown-ALL rights reserved. This image may not be used for ANY purpose without written permission.
Rio Grande Valley, Texas, USA
Sometimes called the "Mexican Eagle," the Crested Caracara looks like a hawk with its sharp beak and talons, behaves like a vulture, and is technically a large tropical black-and-white falcon.
They are found from the southern United States through Central and South America.
Thanks to all who take the time to view, comment on and favor my images. It is very much appreciated.
Nikon Z9 camera with Nikon 300mm f 4 E PF lens.
1/2500 F5.6 ISO 720
It is good to give thanks to the LORD, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, And Your faithfulness every night
Psalms 92:1-2
Thank you to all for your kind comments, invites & faves, much appreciated
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Glg5GNhP6f4
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FufYLgw5p1c
Jeremiah 31:1-3
At the same time, saith the Lord, will I be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people.
2 Thus saith the Lord, The people which were left of the sword found grace in the wilderness; even Israel, when I went to cause him to rest.
3 The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
Jeremiah 31:1-40)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rm9coqlk8fY
Isaiah 58:12b
thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.
Hebrews 12:22,23
But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
And to Yeshua
Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul. I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me...
Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me. Hear me, O LORD; for thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.
(Psalm 69:1-2, 15-16)
©Harris Brown-ALL rights reserved. This image may not be used for ANY purpose without written permission.
Circle B Bar Reserve, Lakeland, Florida USA
My favorite heron, especially in breeding plumage, the slender Snowy Egret sets off immaculate white plumage with black legs and brilliant yellow feet. Those feet seem to play a role in stirring up or herding small aquatic animals as the egret forages.
Nikon D7200 with Nikon 500 mm f4 G VR ED lens
1/2000 F 8 ISO 640
Thanks to all who take the time to view, comment on and favor my images. It is very much appreciated.
It is good to give thanks to the LORD, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night, - Psa 92:1-2
I have not hid Thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared Thy faithfulness and Thy salvation: I have not concealed Thy lovingkindness and Thy truth from the great congregation.
(Psalm 40:10)
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
(Psalm 51:1-3)
I love going out on quiet mornings like this to sit and enjoy the stillness of God's creation. Sitting in the warm sunlight and watching it hit the falls was a special treat! It is in moments like these that I am reminded how much undeserved grace He shows us and how much He loves us. He is a good God and He loves His children and gives good gifts to them. If you do not yet know God as a loving Father, repent of your sins and pray for Jesus to come into your heart. "For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You." (Psalm 86:5) Jesus is waiting with open arms to all who will call upon His name! You will find true comfort in knowing Him as Savior and Friend. He washes us clean from our mistakes and gives us life eternal that will never end!
Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me. Hear me, O LORD; for thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.
(Psalm 69:15-16)
Psalm 25:10: “All the paths of the LORD lead to lovingkindness and truth for those who keep His covenant and His decrees.”
Hasidic Judaism is a branch of Orthodox Judaism that emphasizes spirituality and the worship of God through joyous and ecstatic prayer and devotion.
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
(Psalm 51:1-3)
Psalm 23
American Standard Version
23 Jehovah is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;
He leadeth me beside still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul:
He guideth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil; for thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
Thou hast anointed my head with oil;
My cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness shall follow me all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of Jehovah for ever.
Younger Siddhartha, depicted at age 35. The statue is 35 ft tall and 200 tons, is the largest Buddha statue in the state of Florida.
White Sands Buddhist Center, Mims. FL 32754
A Broken Appointment by Thomas Hardy
You did not come,
And marching Time drew on, and wore me numb.
Yet less for loss of your dear presence there
Than that I thus found lacking in your make
That high compassion which can overbear
Reluctance for pure lovingkindness' sake
Grieved I, when, as the hope-hour stroked its sum,
You did not come.
You love not me,
And love alone can lend you loyalty;
-I know and knew it. But, unto the store
Of human deeds divine in all but name,
Was it not worth a little hour or more
To add yet this: Once you, a woman, came
To soothe a time-torn man; even though it be
You love not me.
(North Antrim coast)
The fence (just visible on top of the cliff) gives some sense of scale.
_____________________________________
It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night. (Psalm 92:1-2)
- The Buddhist Metta (Lovingkindness) Prayer
Taken yesterday in my Humber Bay Shores neighbourhood, Toronto.
Thanks for visiting, enjoy your weekend
But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness;
My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
Psalm 13:5
Nature flower flowers close-up macro green red poppyseed spring summer light sunlight sun sunny bright
I have witnessed the crazy love of Christ! Did I deserve to see this? Absolutely not! It is a foolish question to even ask. I as a sinner deserve no good thing as recompense for my actions, but rather I deserve eternal punishment. We live in an entitled culture where we think that we deserve everything served to us on a silver platter. We have been trained to think that we deserve better and therefore we should invest our whole lives in trying to work to attain it. We constantly forsake the radically generous and lovingkindness of God as the reason for everything good that we have! He and only He can even turn suffering to work out for our good and ultimately for His glory. He is a jealous God and with every right to be as He is God Almighty Creator of all of the Universe in which He is in perfect control and reign. Yet, He is not a stingy God or a God who is cruel with His power as we see many earthly rulers. He is incredibly generous and loving towards His children. His love is truly CRAZY!
An image was placed on the walls of Tibetan monasteries thousands of years ago called the Bhavachakra, translated as The Wheel of Life, or The Wheel of Existence.
An image, a form of mandala, a portal to psychological and metaphysical truths about our mind, our behavior, our existence in our reality and beyond.
Although an overwhelming visual spectacle at first, if we want to start the discovery somewhere, we can look at the very center of the Bhavachakra, right at the core there is a circle. And inside that circle we can observe three animals: a pig, a rooster and a snake, all chasing each other, forming a circle themselves.
In his early teachings, Buddha identified “three poisons,” or three fires, or three negative qualities of the mind that cause most of our problems—and most of the problems in the world.
The three poisons are Ignorance, Greed and Hatred.
Inside the Bhavachakra image, ignorance represented by the pig, greed as the rooster and hatred is shown in the form of a snake, and by them biting into each others tale they keep all the wheels turning like an unstoppable force, like an engine behind all things.
We don’t need to look far to see these three poisons at work. We see them every day in the news and in the streets, and if we pay attention, we can see them in our own mind and actions. The arising of these feelings may be outside our control—we don’t choose to be angry, for instance. But recognizing how greed, hatred, and ignorance cause tremendous harm in the world can help us learn to manage them.
Although this teaching may appear negative, a wise understanding of the three poisons is ultimately positive and empowering. With this understanding we can clearly see and feel the factors that are causing confusion, unhappiness, and suffering in our lives. And with this clarity and insight, we can make the choice to eliminate those factors.
The three poisons are opposed by three wholesome, or positive attitudes essential to liberation: generosity (dana), lovingkindness (metta), and wisdom (prajna).
Happy New year to All
Thank you for your kind comments & faves, much appreciated
Rev 2:17- hidden manna
Ish 48:16 Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; Ish 40:21
Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth?
John 15:27And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
(1 Corinthians 12:12 'For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.')
1 Corinthians 12:21 'And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.) Ephesians 5:30 'For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.)
In Ephesians 5:23-32--When Christ loves His church/body, He loves Himself--look at verses 28 & 32) This great mystery is revealed--Ephesians 3:1-5)
Isaiah 42:8 'I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another' Yet Christ gives His glory to His body, because it's part of Himself-John 17:22, He doesn't give it to another, because He gives it to Himself--His Body. Chosen in Him, by Him and for Him.
1 Corinthian 6:17 'But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.'
God created man in His own image, our spirits were in the Father from the beginning, that's what John chapter 17 is all about.
Where was Eve before she was formed? in Adam. Likewise we were in the second Adam-Yeshua before the foundation of the world. Thus in our regenerated state through the Word-Yeshua we might be partakers of the divine nature- 2 peter 1:4) God is a spirit, likewise man has a spirit that comes from God, that's regenerate man's origin--he that is of God hears God's words.Job 32:8)
Chosen in Yeshua, chosen by Yeshua, those chosen in Him are part of Him, Christ is not only the head, but Christ is all the members of His own body the church, all members originate in Him 1 Corinthians 12:12, vs21) Hebrews 2:13,14)And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.-Ish 8:18) Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; Those in Christ are of God- come from God and return to God; ''the spirit returns to God who gave it.'' Isaiah 8:18 Behold, I and the children whom the Lord hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the Lord of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.
John 15:16 'Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you' 2 peter 1:10-give diligence to make your calling and election sure: ) Psalm 139)
(The LORD possessed me in the beginning of His way
In Proverbs 8:22 the word' possessed' here has an extensive meaning of, to acquire, to buy back, to redeem)
In the volume of the book its written of Yeshua
We also(His body) must find ourselves in the Word, this is where through out scripture, we can find glimpses of our election and calling, and being chosen by Him before the foundation of the world. The natural man cannot receive the things of the spirit, you must be in the spirit--read 1 Corinthians chapter 2) Remember the one in the flesh always fights against the one in the spirit.
As He is so are we in this world
From the womb of the morning--Psl 110:3)
Yeshua is the bright and morning star
Prov 8:22) Eph 1:4) John 15:16) Ish 8:18 Heb 2:13,14) Psl 110:3) Jer 1:5) Ecclesiastes 12:7)
John chapter 17) (1 John 4:17) (1 Corinth 12:12-28) Job 1:20-22)
Eccl 12:7) John 13:3) Jer 4:23)--Genesis 1:2) 2 Pet 1:4) 1 Corint 6:17) 1 Corinthians 13:12)
“That at the name of Jesus/Yeshua every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;” Philippians 2:10)
Colossians 1:18 KJV: And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
Eph 5:30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
“For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,” Heb 2:11)
Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: Ish 46:10)
2 Tim 1:9) Titus 1:2)
1 Corinthians chap 2) The Comforter guides us into all truth
Luke 10:20b)-- Contrasted with Rev 13:8 whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world Rev 20:15) “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life.
2 Timothy 2:19) Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his.
Jeremiah 31:3 The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
John 17:23-26)
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: Ephesians 1:17)
I did not know much about this Canadian National Park, but it surely did not disappoint! My wife and I got to have this overlook all to ourselves on two separate days which was a very special treat from the Lord! We got to come back this morning on my birthday and sit and take it all in, it was such a special way to celebrate. I truly am so thankful to the Lord for this amazing and restful trip that we got to spend together celebrating 3 years of wonderful marriage and my 25th birthday. God is so good! His lovingkindness is ever present even when circumstances are hard and when they are sweet.
Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
And He saved them from their distresses.
He sent His word and healed them,
And rescued them from their destruction.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness,
And for His wonderful acts to the children of men!
Psalms 107:19-21
Texture by: Kerstin Frank
Have a blessed day and thank you for stopping by!
Copyright © 2015 Wendy Gee Photo~Art
This image is protected under the United States and International Copyright laws and
may not be downloaded, reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated without
written permission.
For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth. (Psalm 26:3).
The Hebrew word חֶסֶד chesed relates to lovingkindness between people. It is the Hebrew equivalent of the Greek word “agape”. It is about people who in a state of grace under God's care are able to share in righteous conversation and fellowship.
In the old Launceston Synagogue (1844) this small company is engaged in deep conversation.
The most beautiful morning, this pano doesn't actually do it justice. I woke up at 4-30am and looked outside and thought the windows were all fogged up but it was a blanket of thick mist outside. I jumped out of bed, grabbed the phone and camera and hot footed it up the hill to take a few shots. This was a little later when a lot of it had burned off but there were pockets in the valley below. What a way to start the day :)
Wishing all you awesome people a truly blessed festive season. Let peace, prosperity and lovingkindness prevail on Mother Earth next year. Much love to you all xxx
Thanksgiving Day at the Simmons home. Everyone has arrived. Some are in the back yard. Some are still bustling in the kitchen. And some have gathered here in the entertainment room. It has been a busy, but fulfilling week for all as they prepared, looking forward to this great time to gather together in the context of offering thanks to God.
General Oliver Simmons, highest ranking officer in the PDF, enjoys conversation with his longtime friend, Cam Cooper and a cigar.
Oliver: Just too many decision makers, Cam. How're we supposed to get things done?
Cam: Preaching to the choir, friend. Red tape. Bureaucracy is the death of many a fine plan.
Oliver: That's what I'm saying. Especially at a time like this.
The quartet from the PDF barracks* are each in a state of unease, being in the home of their leader, and none more so than Oliver's son, Derrick.
Derrick: *thinking* Man, I want to sit down. But, Dad's standing, so I'm gonna stand. Be interested in their conversation. I wonder what Kelly's doing.** Man, she's beautiful. I want to be with her. See her. Put my arms around her. Wait! Pay attention! What are they talking about...? Red tape? Yeah... Man, Kelly is gorgeous...
Vince: *thinking* This little ankle-biter jumped in my lap. General Simmons' family likes dogs. The key component in that is 'General Simmons'. Pet the dog. Let the General see me being nice to his dog. If this dog bites me... gonna be a court martial for sure. Wonder what Helen's doin. Prolly somethin better'n holdin a flea packer.
Grape: *thinking* Whazzat? Oh, another dog. Derrick said his Mom rescues dogs. Musta rescued the whole kennel. Somebody needs to rescue the Simmons. Mebbe I should get out my phone, get a shot of my sleeve with the dog in the background. Send it to Beulah.
Maisie: *thinking* How exciting to be invited to the General's house! Everyone seems so happy! None of the boys think of me in any way other than the supply clerk. They've each got girls in Coopers Town. I wonder if there's any guys here I can meet.
RC: Hey... Tracy, right?
Tracy: Yep! This is Buckley.
Buckley: WHUT UUUUUP!! I'm taking pics.
RC: Cool.
Tracy: And that's Briar talking to Bonnie over there. We're in the ladies study class that Miss Konnie and Miss Audrey lead at church. So, Miss Konnie was so kind to invite us over.
RC: Oh, yeah, cool.
Buckley: Ready to get some FOOD on!
RC: Hah! No doubt.
Tracy: Shasta, I'll tell her too, but please let your Mom know how much we appreciate the invite.
Shasta: I will, but she loves you three. She talks about you a lot.
Briar: Are you and Mr. Cooper officially... I dunno, official?
Bonnie: Shh! *giggles* I think so. But don't say I said that.
Briar: That must be SO exciting! Maybe one day for me too.
Bonnie: Oh, Briar, you're beautiful! You should be fighting them off. I think you three stay out of circulation too much.
Briar: *giggles* But we're having too much fun!
Conversations flow. There is much laughter of the easy, relaxed kind. Groups mingle from all areas of the Simmons home and interact. Old friends. New acquaintances. It will culminate in the long awaited meal. As usual, General Simmons will defer to Cam Cooper to pray for God's blessings. And all will offer thanks to Him for all the bountiful good things of life. "Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow." James 1:17
Happy Thanksgiving from Paprihaven! God is good! All the time!
•───────────︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵────────────•
A year of the shows and performers of the Bijou Planks Theater.
___________________________________________________
Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth.
Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before Him with joyful singing.
Know that the Lord Himself is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter His gates with thanksgiving
And His courts with praise.
Give thanks to Him, bless His name.
For the Lord is good;
His lovingkindness is everlasting
And His faithfulness to all generations.
Psalm 100
___________________________________________________
* Seen two days ago!
www.flickr.com/photos/paprihaven/54947099850
** Kelly Davis! The love of Derrick's life!
www.flickr.com/photos/135742756@N07/44820206805/
Previous Days of Thanksgiving on Paprihaven:
2015:
www.flickr.com/photos/paprihaven/23317265455/
2016:
www.flickr.com/photos/paprihaven/31221411415/
2017:
www.flickr.com/photos/paprihaven/38546781536/
2018:
flickr.com/photos/paprihaven/45073145065/
2019:
flickr.com/photos/paprihaven/49133292408/
2020:
flickr.com/photos/paprihaven/50644470608/
2021:
www.flickr.com/photos/paprihaven/51702861201/
2022:
www.flickr.com/photos/paprihaven/52518652952/
2023:
www.flickr.com/photos/paprihaven/53349911190/
2024
Psalm 36:5
Your lovingkindness, O Lord
extends to the heavens,
Your faithfulness reaches to the skies..
Here’s hoping!
My best wishes to all my Flickr friends for gifts that 2017 can bring us. Let us find ways to create lovingkindness every day.
This shot was taken way back in 2005 with my Canon Powershot S2. I have yet to find a successor that produces such sharp macros.
*******************
copyright © Mim Eisenberg/mimbrava studio. All rights reserved.
See my photos on Fluider: www.fluidr.com/photos/mimbrava
I invite you to stroll through My Galleries: www.flickr.com/photos/mimbrava/galleries/
©Harris Brown-ALL rights reserved. This image may not be used for ANY purpose without written permission.
Red-tailed Hawks are large hawks with typical Buteo proportions: very broad, rounded wings and a short, wide tail.
Most Red-tailed Hawks are rich brown above and pale below, with a streaked belly and, on the wing underside, a dark bar between shoulder and wrist. The tail is usually pale below and cinnamon-red above, though in young birds it’s brown and banded.
Nikon D7200 with Nikon 500mm f4 G VR lens and 1.4 converter.
ISO 640 f8 1/320 with fill flash.
Thanks to all who take the time to view, comment on and favor my images. It is very much appreciated.
Blessed be the LORD, my Rock... my lovingkindness and my fortress, my high tower and my deliverer, my shield and the One in whom I take refuge... - Psalm 144:1-2
This year we end the Seven Days of Thanksgiving series in Paprihaven on the day after. Why? While it is wonderful to have a day set aside specifically to acknowledge our impossible debt to God by expressing our gratitude, every day should truly be a day of thanksgiving. After the amazing celebration at the Simmons,* the girls are back at Tracy's house.
Tracy: Wow. So tired. What a great time. Thank you, God.
Buckley: I'm so stuffed! I'll sleep on this bench if I can't make it upstairs.
Tracy: Who said you're staying here??
Buckley: You gotta be responsible, Trace! You can't let me drive home in this condition.
Briar: HAHAHA!
Tracy: You're not drunk! You don't even drink!
Buckley: I'm loaded with tryptophan. I can't make it. I'm DONE FOR, offissaaAAaa!
Briar: HAHA! What's 'trippafan'?
Tracy: It's an amino acid in turkey that people say makes you sleepy. I think what happened is we all just ate too much.
Briar: I ate sooooo much! I looooved that corn casserole! Who made that?
Tracy: I think Honor did.
Buckley: Ooohhh, I'm gonna pop. Let's just all get in bed, under the covers, and tell stories til we fall asleep.
Briar: That's FUN!
Buckley: But y'all GOTTA CARRY ME UUUUUUP!
Briar: HAHAHA!
Tracy: Oh, good grief. I'm stuck with both of you tonight. Are you sure you even have homes? You're always here.
Buckley: Oh! Haha! On Paprichat, Sheila Harper posted a video of her poodle grabbing a piece of turkey from the table!
Briar: I want to see that!
Tracy: Can you not be on your phone for like two seconds? And, I want to see too. And, who's Sheila Harper?
Buckley: She's got that pretty green Jaguar? Always real shiny? **
Tracy: Oh, yes.
Briar: I wanna see the video!
Buckley: Then come over here.
Briar: Can't move. You come over here.
Buckley: Uh uh.
Briar: BuuUUUUCK!!!
Buckley: You're outta luck, kid.
*WOOF!*
Briar: Hey, Biff!
Buckley: The Biffster!
Tracy: Wow, what a great day. And now we're just chilling. Peace. Joy. Love. God is good.
Buckley: All the TIME!
Briar: All the time!
Tracy: And, all the time...
Buckley: God is GOOD!
Briar: God is good!
Tracy: Bible challenge, then we somehow struggle upstairs. God's loving kindness. Psalm 117:2, "For His lovingkindness is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord is everlasting. Praise the Lord!"
Briar: Psalm 63:3, "Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips will praise You."
...
Tracy: Buckley...
Buckley: Um... What's the one? "Please answer me God because you are loving and kind... and compassionate?"
Tracy: Close enough! Psalm 69:16, "Answer me, O Lord, for Your lovingkindness is good; According to the greatness of Your compassion, turn to me." Okay, upstairs! Up!
•───────────︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵────────────•
A year of the shows and performers of the Bijou Planks Theater.
___________________________________________________
God wants you to give thanks.
Well, Thanksgiving came and went. Did your gratitude last beyond your afternoon nap? For many, that’s the extent of their thanksgiving—a one-time, get-it-out-of-the-way holiday that reminds them to reflect on how blessed they are. Too often and too quickly, people resort back to being ingrates. But God wills us to be thankful all the time, in all things. That’s the point of 1 Thessalonians 5:18 where Paul says, “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” So if you’re saved, Spirit-filled, sanctified, submissive, and suffering, you have one thing left to do in order to follow God’s will—be saying thanks.
Paul’s simple, direct command—in everything give thanks—allows believers no excuse for harboring ingratitude. In everything carries an unlimited requirement. It refers to everything that occurs in life. With the obvious exception of personal sin, we are to express thanks for everything. No matter what struggles or trials, God commands us to find reasons for thanking Him always (Acts 5:41; James 1:2-3; 1 Peter 1:6-9). That’s His will.
If you’re not obeying that command, you’re not following God’s will. Think of it like this: If gratitude doesn’t come easy for you, neither will finding God’s will. Or to put it another way, if you struggle with being thankful, you’ll struggle with following God’s will. Need some motivation? Here are some reasons God wills you to be thankful:
God commands it:
Gratitude should come naturally to believers in response to all God has done on their behalf, but because of our hardness of heart, God enjoins us to thanksgiving with commands (Philippians 4:6; Colossians 2:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:18). Therefore, all forms of ingratitude are sinful. Paul commanded the Colossians, “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful” (Colossians 3:15).
When Paul describes the believer’s Spirit-filled life, he writes, “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father” (Ephesians 5:20). God doesn’t merely command those expressions of gratitude and leave believers helpless to comply. He enables us to articulate them (Philippians 2:13), and is pleased when we do.
Joni Eareckson Tada, who was involved in an accident that left her paralyzed from the neck down, writes, “Giving thanks is not a matter of feeling thankful, it's a matter of obedience.”
Thankfulness acknowledges God’s sovereignty:
The single, greatest act of worship you can render to God is to thank Him. It’s the epitome of worship because through gratitude, we affirm God as the ultimate source of both trial and blessing—and acknowledge our humble acceptance of both.
With a thankful heart, you can say in the midst of anything, “God be praised.” That kind of attitude looks beyond the circumstance to the plan of God. It sees beyond the pain to the sovereignty of God. It remembers, “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). An attitude of thankfulness enables us to deal with those who wrong us, saying with Joseph, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20). Those who are thankful see the providential hand of God everywhere and say, “God, I thank You for the peaceful times as well as the hard times—a difficult marriage, a challenging job, a severe illness—because I know You will use those things for my good and Your glory.”
The grateful Christian remembers that suffering perfects, confirms, strengthens, and establishes him (1 Peter 5:10). God wills that kind of thankfulness.
God judges ingratitude:
William Shakespeare wrote, “How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child. Ingratitude thou marble hearted fiend.” If Shakespeare understood the hostile attitude behind thanklessness, imagine what God must think about it.
Ingratitude is the very essence of an unregenerate heart, ranking among the most intolerable sins in Scripture. The apostle Paul identified unbelievers as ungrateful: “For even though they knew God [through conscience and general revelation], they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened” (Romans 1:21). Because man in his pride fails to honor and glorify God as Creator, he also refuses to thank Him for His gracious provision. Ingratitude betrays unbelief, and both sins bring about God’s judgment.
Although God is the source of every good thing that men possess—giving life, breath, rain, sunshine, and other natural blessings to the just and unjust alike (Matthew 5:45; Acts 14:15–17)—the natural man refuses to thank Him. In his fallen mind, to thank God is to acknowledge his own obligation to worship Him.
In summary, God wills our being thankful in all things because gratitude is the ultimate expression of a transformed heart. But thanklessness can infest and destroy a church, marriage, family and home. So cultivate a heart of gratitude. Be thankful for all things and in all circumstances. That’s God’s will. Are you following it?
- John MacArthur, adapted from God Wants You To Give Thanks
___________________________________________________
* As seen yesterday!
www.flickr.com/photos/paprihaven/54950920265
** As seen in BP 2021 Day 107!
www.flickr.com/photos/paprihaven/51121244013/
Previous Days of Thanksgiving on Paprihaven:
2015:
www.flickr.com/photos/paprihaven/22949342829/
2016:
www.flickr.com/photos/paprihaven/31221411415/
2017:
www.flickr.com/photos/paprihaven/37886668344/
2018:
www.flickr.com/photos/paprihaven/31063953947/
2019:
www.flickr.com/photos/paprihaven/49137396007/
2020:
www.flickr.com/photos/paprihaven/50649209702/
2021:
www.flickr.com/photos/paprihaven/51704094592/
2022:
www.flickr.com/photos/paprihaven/52521485290/
2023:
www.flickr.com/photos/paprihaven/53349976036/
2024:
The force of love...
The practice of metta, uncovering the force of love that can uproot fear, anger, and guilt, begins with befriending ourselves. The foundation of metta practice is to know how to be our own friend. According to the Buddha, You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection. How few of us embrace ourselves in this way! With metta practice we uncover the possibility of truly respecting ourselves. We discover, as Walt Whitman put it, I am larger and better than I thought. I did not think I held so much goodness.
- Sharon Salzberg, Lovingkindness