NO SKIMMING..
GRATITUDE PUSHES YOU TO SHINE FOR CHRIST
GRATITUDE MOVES YOU TO A HIGHER ALTITUDE
GRATITUDE FUELS YOUR GROWTH
EVERYDAY THINK OF HIS GOODNESS, WRITE IT DOWN & BE GRATEFUL(Example David thanked God for saving him from a lion and a bear while he was protecting his father's sheep.) 1 Samuel 17:34-37
Friend, waking up early for prayers, reading the Bible, going to Church, fasting, memorizing scriptures, praying and meditation are all part of spiritual growth which are not ‘legalistic burdens’ but these are intentional spiritual discipline that helps us to stay firm and intimate with Christ.
TESTIMONY: For the last 25 years I have been very strictly conducting myself in this and it works, it would work for you too. I do also maintain a dairy, marking my prayer timings, my Bible reading portions and also a journal where I write ‘insights’ I receive during my Bible reading. This helps me monitor my spiritual life, I also advice my groups that they intentionally read this many chapters of the Bible so that they just don’t recklessly read here and there. I just suddenly remembered a word while writing this portion and that is ‘SKIMMING’. Let me explain: Skimming is a fast, selective reading technique used to grasp the general gist, main ideas, or overview of a text without reading every word. They read for a general overview rather than deep understanding and this is how some people read the Bible. They CARELESSLY and frivolously skim through the Bible- no wonder they don’t understand Christian life. Seep through a book is engaging with every sentence or concept to ensure comprehension.
Friend, what would push the woman who got grace and forgiveness from Jesus despite being caught red handed for adultery, to move on to live a ‘life without sin?’ GRATITUDE! Yes, everyday she would wake up and think of her past dirty life and now the new beautiful life in Christ, the heart of contentment and satisfaction now propels her to STEP UP and live a holy life.
A grumbling heart, complaining heart can never see the goodness of God. Philippians 2:14 -16 states, 14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”[a] Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.’
ILLUSTRATION:
I would like to quote the words of Oprah Winfrey, a globally influential American media executive, talk show host, television producer, actress, and philanthropist. She is 71 years old now and when asked what keeps her still shining, working and ticking, she replied, ‘GRATITUDE!’ She said that while walking through her huge, beautiful house and palatial lawns , she would think back to her childhood days when she lived in an outhouse without electricity, water and basic facilities, this makes her to move forward and still help the community with her story.
